United Arab Emirates · Investor / Golden Visa

Residence Visa for an Entrepreneur

Official name Issuance of a Residence Visa for an Entrepreneur

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-08 · Our methodology
5/10 diff
Challenging

This ICP service issues a residence visa allowing entrepreneurs to complete the procedures for obtaining the 10-year Gol…

Min income
Processing
Path to PR
No
Job offer
Not required
Direct answer

This ICP service issues a residence visa allowing entrepreneurs to complete the procedures for obtaining the 10-year Golden Residency, requiring a letter from the competent emirate authority confirming the project's innovative/future-oriented nature plus an accredited auditor's letter confirming a project value of at least AED 500,000, for total service fees of AED 300 (AED 100 each for application, issuance and smart-services fees).

At a Glance

Visa Duration
24 months
Processing Time
Min Income
Path to PR
No
Difficulty
5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Job Offer RequiredNo
Sponsorship RequiredNo
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Path to Permanent ResidencyNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Dubai
Single (monthly)€3,093
Family (monthly)€5,600
Rent 1BR (center)€2,143
Groceries€773
Transport pass€186
Abu Dhabi
Single (monthly)€2,325
Family (monthly)€4,400
Rent 1BR (center)€1,375
Groceries€581
Transport pass€140
Sharjah
Single (monthly)€1,650
Family (monthly)€3,200
Rent 1BR (center)€825
Groceries€412
Transport pass€99

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Issuance of a Residence Visa for an Entrepreneur?

This ICP service issues a residence visa allowing entrepreneurs to complete the procedures for obtaining the 10-year Golden Residency, requiring a letter from the competent emirate authority confirming the project's innovative/future-oriented nature plus an accredited auditor's letter confirming a project value of at least AED 500,000, for total service fees of AED 300 (AED 100 each for application, issuance and smart-services fees).

Can the Issuance of a Residence Visa for an Entrepreneur lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to United Arab Emirates?

Yes. United Arab Emirates offers 11 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our United Arab Emirates country page.

What is the cost of living in United Arab Emirates?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Dubai: €3,093/mo; Abu Dhabi: €2,325/mo; Sharjah: €1,650/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-08 · See our methodology

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