Visa hub
UAE Free Zone Visa and Cost Guides
Compare investor visas, employee visas, dependent visas, visa renewals, Emirates ID, medical tests, health insurance, and zero-visa free zone packages before choosing your setup route.
Start with the right visa guide
Choose the guide that matches your situation. Each card below includes a direct link to a dedicated visa page, cost guide, or setup scenario.
UAE free zone visa cost
Understand investor visa, employee visa, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, and renewal cost factors.
Investor visa
For founders and shareholders who need UAE residency through their free zone company.
Employee visa
For hiring staff under a UAE free zone company and planning visa options requirements.
Dependent visa
For family sponsorship planning after investor or employee residency is active.
Visa renewal cost
Compare renewal timing, medical tests, Emirates ID, insurance, and company renewal dependencies.
Cheapest with visa
Shortlist lower-cost packages when at least one UAE residence visa is required.
Company without visa
For founders who want a zero-visa package and do not need UAE residency immediately.
Medical and Emirates ID
Understand government and process items that often sit outside advertised license fees.
Visa cost calculator
Use a tool-focused route if you want a quick estimate before requesting a verified quote.
Visa cost components to check
| Cost item | Who it affects | Why it matters | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor visa | Shareholders and owners | Needed for UAE residency, Emirates ID, and many banking profiles. | Confirm whether entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, and insurance are included. |
| Employee visa | Hired staff | Visa options can depend on office package, activity, and free zone rules. | Ask for per-visa cost and annual renewal assumptions. |
| Dependent visa | Family sponsorship | Depends on sponsor status, salary/profile requirements, and documentation. | Budget for medical, Emirates ID, insurance, and renewals separately. |
| Establishment card | Companies applying for visas | Often required before visa processing can begin. | Check issuance and renewal costs. |
| Medical test and Emirates ID | Most visa applicants | Commonly outside the headline license fee. | Costs vary by urgency, validity, and applicant category. |
| Health insurance | Visa applicants | Required in many visa journeys and can vary by emirate and cover level. | Ask whether it is quoted separately or bundled. |
Which visa route fits your setup?
| Scenario | Best route | Useful links |
|---|---|---|
| You want the lowest entry cost and no UAE residency yet. | Compare zero-visa packages and renewal costs. | Company without visa and cheapest free zones |
| You are a solo founder who needs UAE residency. | Compare one-visa packages and investor visa inclusions. | Investor visa and cheapest with visa |
| You will hire employees in year one. | Check visa options, office requirement, and employee visa cost. | Employee visa guide and company setup guide |
| You need family sponsorship. | Plan investor or employee residency first, then dependent visa documents and insurance. | Dependent visa guide |
| You care about bank account approval. | Prepare residency, business profile, contracts, invoices, and source-of-funds evidence. | Banking guide and methodology |
Clickable visa resources
Common visa mistakes
- Choosing a zero-visa package without checking whether a bank account, Emirates ID, or UAE residency will be needed later.
- Comparing only the first-year license price and ignoring establishment card, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, and renewal fees.
- Assuming every free zone package includes the same visa options or office requirement.
- Forgetting that dependent visas usually depend on the sponsor’s active residency and supporting documents.
- Requesting employee visas without confirming whether the selected activity and office package support the required headcount.
Need a visa-inclusive quote?
Tell us your activity, visa count, shareholders, preferred emirate, and budget. We will help you request the current available cost details.
FAQs
Can I open a UAE free zone company without a visa?
Yes. Many UAE free zones offer zero-visa packages. Before choosing one, confirm whether you need UAE residency, Emirates ID, bank account support, or future employee visas.
What visa costs are often separate from the license fee?
Entry permit, status change, medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance, establishment card, dependent visas, and renewals may be separate from the headline license package.
Does a visa guarantee bank account approval?
No. Residency can help, but banks also assess business activity, shareholder profile, source of funds, transaction countries, documents, website, contracts, and compliance risk.
How many visas can a free zone company get?
Visa options depends on the free zone, package, office or flexi desk allocation, activity, and authority approval. Always confirm quota before committing.