"Business visa Dubai" is used for two very different things: a short visa to visit Dubai for meetings or to explore opportunities, and a residence visa for people who own or run a business here. This guide explains both - the business visa types, Dubai business visa requirements, cost, processing time and how to apply online - so you can pick the right one before you book a flight or pay a fee.
Quick answer: If you are coming for meetings, a trade show or to explore opportunities, you need a visit visa - for example the GDRFA visit visa to explore business opportunities, which needs no sponsor and costs from AED 200 for 60 days plus a refundable deposit. If you want to live in Dubai and run your own company, you need a residence visa through that company, usually an investor or partner visa valid for 2 years. A visit visa does not let you work.
What Is a Business Visa in Dubai?
Business visit visa | Business residence visa | |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Meetings, events, exploring opportunities | Living in Dubai and running your company |
Validity | Usually 30-120 days | Usually 2 years, renewable (longer for Green and Golden Visas) |
Sponsor | None for the explore-business visa; otherwise a company, hotel or relative | Your own company |
Can you work? | No | Yes, for your own company |
Emirates ID | No | Yes |
Business Visa Types in Dubai
These are the main business visa types for Dubai, from short trips to long-term residence:
Visit Visa to Explore Business Opportunities
Issued by GDRFA Dubai for foreigners researching business opportunities. It needs no UAE sponsor or host, is valid for 60, 90 or 120 days, and can be single or multiple entry. Fees are AED 200, 300 or 400 plus 5% VAT, with a refundable AED 1,000 deposit. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a photo and proof of investment.
Sponsored Business Visit Visa
A UAE company you are meeting, an event organiser or a hotel can sponsor a short visit visa for you. This suits one-off meetings and trade shows.
5-Year Multiple-Entry Visit Visa
For frequent business travellers, this visa allows repeated stays over five years without a sponsor, subject to proof of funds and health insurance.
Mission Visa
A short-term work permit for people brought in to complete a specific temporary project, sponsored by the company that needs them.
Investor or Partner Visa (Business Residence Visa)
The main business residence visa in Dubai. Shareholders of a free zone or mainland company get a 2-year renewable visa sponsored by their own company. See our investor visa guide.
Startup Visa Dubai
The startup visa in Dubai is for founders nominated by a UAE government-approved incubator. Nominated applicants abroad get a multiple-entry visa to come to Dubai and convert it to residency before it expires; the whole process takes about 60 days.
Green Visa and Golden Visa
Self-sponsored long-term residence. The 5-year Green Visa suits self-employed people and skilled professionals; the 10-year Golden Visa suits larger investors, for example with AED 2 million of business capital or property. See UAE Golden Visa services.
Dubai Business Visa Requirements
For a business visit visa:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Recent colour photo on a white background
- Proof of investment or funds (explore-business visa)
- Invitation or sponsor letter (sponsored visit visa)
- Return ticket and accommodation details, if asked
For a business residence visa:
- A licensed company with an establishment card
- Passport and photo
- Entry permit
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID biometrics
- Health insurance (mandatory in Dubai)
For the company documents behind a residence visa, see the documents required for business setup.
Dubai Business Visa Process
Visit visa: apply online, pay the fee and deposit, and receive the e-visa - GDRFA aims to process the explore-business visa within 48 hours.
Business residence visa:
- Set up your company and get the trade licence
- Get the establishment card
- Apply for the entry permit or change of status
- Take the medical test and give Emirates ID biometrics
- Receive the residence visa and Emirates ID
For the residence route step by step, read UAE residency through company formation.
Dubai Business Visa Online: Where to Apply
You can apply for a Dubai business visa online through the GDRFA Dubai website or smart app, or through an Amer centre. Residence visas for company owners are filed through the immigration portal by the company or its PRO. Airlines and hotels can also arrange some visit visas for their passengers and guests.
Business Visa Cost in Dubai
The cost of business visa in Dubai depends on the type:
Visa | Dubai business visa fees (indicative) |
|---|---|
Explore-business visit visa, 60 days | AED 200 + 5% VAT + AED 1,000 refundable deposit |
Explore-business visit visa, 90 days | AED 300 + 5% VAT + deposit |
Explore-business visit visa, 120 days | AED 400 + 5% VAT + deposit |
Investor or partner visa (per person) | Around AED 4,000-7,000 |
Free zone company + 1 residence visa (Takween) | From AED 10,800 |
Extra fees apply if you are already inside the UAE when the visa is issued. The Dubai business visa price from agencies includes their service fee, so compare the government fee and the service fee separately.
Business Visa Processing Time
Visa | Dubai business visa processing time |
|---|---|
Explore-business visit visa | About 48 hours |
Sponsored visit visa | Usually a few working days |
Investor or partner visa | About 7-15 working days after the company is set up |
Company licence + visa together | About 2-4 weeks in a free zone |
Startup visa | About 60 days |
Dubai Business Visa by Nationality
Entry rules change often, so check with GDRFA, ICP or your airline before you travel.
Dubai Business Visa for Indian Nationals
For a Dubai business visa for Indian citizens, most need a visa before travel. Indian passport holders with a valid visa or residence permit from certain countries, such as the US, EU countries, Canada or Japan, may qualify for a visa on arrival. Others can apply for the explore-business visa or a sponsored visit visa online.
Dubai Business Visa for Pakistani Citizens
The Dubai business visa requirements for Pakistani citizens are the standard ones - a 6-month valid passport, photo and proof of funds or a sponsor - and the visa must be issued before travel. Applications may go through extra security checks, so apply early and make sure every document matches your passport exactly.
Dubai Business Visa for Bangladeshi Citizens
A Dubai business visa for Bangladeshi citizens must also be issued before travel, through a sponsor or the explore-business visa. Allow extra time for checks, and keep proof of funds and your business purpose ready.
Dubai Business Visa for British Citizens
For a Dubai business visa for British citizens, no visa is needed in advance for a short business trip - UK passport holders get entry on arrival. To work or live in Dubai, they still need a residence visa through a company or employer.
What You Can and Cannot Do on a Business Visit Visa
- You can attend meetings, conferences and trade shows, visit suppliers and sites, and set up a company.
- You cannot work, invoice UAE clients personally or take a salary from a UAE company.
- To work, convert to a residence visa through your company or an employer.
Visa for Business Owners: Residence Through Your Company
The most common visa for business owners in Dubai is the investor or partner visa. Once your company is licensed, it sponsors your 2-year residence visa, and you can then sponsor your family. A free zone company with one visa is usually the quickest and cheapest way to get a business residence visa in Dubai.
Business Visa Services in Dubai: When to Use a Consultant
You can apply for a business visa yourself. Business visa services in Dubai are most useful when you are setting up a company and visas together, sponsoring several partners or staff, or have had a previous rejection. A good business visa agency or business visa consultants check your documents before filing and handle the medical, Emirates ID and stamping for you. Takween's corporate visa services cover investor, partner, employment and family visas - see visa services in Dubai.
Common Mistakes
- Working on a visit visa - it leads to fines and bans.
- Applying for a visit visa when you need residence to open a bank account or rent a home.
- Name differences between passport and application.
- Overstaying - fines start from the day after expiry.
- Booking travel before the visa is issued.
Get the Right Business Visa First Time
Tell us why you are coming to Dubai and how long you plan to stay. We will tell you which visa fits and, if you are setting up a company, handle the licence and residence visa together. For the company side, see business setup in Dubai, or book a free consultation.
How much does a Dubai business visa cost?
The explore-business visit visa costs AED 200, 300 or 400 for 60, 90 or 120 days plus VAT and a refundable AED 1,000 deposit. An investor or partner residence visa costs around AED 4,000-7,000 on top of the company setup.
How long does a Dubai business visa take?
The explore-business visit visa is processed in about 48 hours. A business residence visa takes about 7-15 working days once the company has its establishment card.
Can I work in Dubai on a business visit visa?
No. A visit visa allows meetings and research only. To work, you need a residence visa through your own company or an employer.
Can I set up a company on a visit visa?
Yes. You can form a company while on a visit visa and then change status to an investor or partner visa without leaving the UAE in most cases.