UAE residents can obtain an investor visa through property investment or company establishment. Here is the complete 2025 comparison of these two routes.
UAE Investor Visa via Company (Free Zone or Mainland)
Duration: 2 years (renewable). Self-sponsored: yes (the company is the sponsor on paper, but you own the company). Eligibility: set up a UAE free zone or mainland company, paid-up capital as per the free zone requirement (IFZA: AED 10,000; Shams: AED 5,500; DMCC: USD 50,000). Cost: AED 4,000-6,000 in visa government fees (in addition to company setup cost). Visa renewal: requires the company licence to be renewed annually (so you must maintain the company as long as you want the visa). Dependent visa: can sponsor spouse and children. sons up to age 18. Daughters of any age (unmarried). Minimum stay requirement: none (you can travel freely and still maintain the visa).
UAE Investor Visa via Property (Golden Visa)
Duration: 10 years (renewable). Self-sponsored: yes. Eligibility: freehold UAE property with minimum AED 2,000,000 net equity. Cost: AED 2,800-4,200 in government fees. No need to operate a company to maintain the visa. Property can be rented out for income — you do not need to live in it. Dependent visa: spouse, children of any age (Golden Visa allows unlimited-age sons, unlike standard 2-year visa where sons need own visa at 18). Minimum stay requirement: 6 months per year recommended to maintain domicile (though not strictly enforced for Golden Visa holders as it is for standard visa holders).
Which Route Is Right for You?
Choose the company route if: you want to run an active business, you need a UAE business licence for client invoicing, and property values in your budget are below AED 2M. Choose the property route if: you have AED 2M+ to invest, you want a 10-year visa without needing to operate a company, and you want investment property income alongside your visa. Many UAE entrepreneurs do both: a free zone company for the business + a UAE property for long-term asset building and eventual Golden Visa upgrade.