How to Get a Visa for a Free Zone Company in the UAE

The UAE has 45+ free zones spread across the country. This includes industry-specific free zones and free zones that support diverse sectors. These jurisdictions allow 100% foreign ownership. It has been one of the prominent factors about the UAE's free zones.
A free zone visa is a residency visa and work permit issued to investors, company owners, and employees. Most of the free zone visas are issued for 02 years.  

The free zone visas for the investor, employee, dependant, and freelance professionals are available. The type of visa will define the activities that can be performed by the individual.

Investor Visa/ Partner Visa
Investors are the key to the sustenance and growth of free zones. The other visas depend on the investor/ partner and the business setup by the expatriate individual.

Freelancer Visa
Professionals can offer their services independently after obtaining the freelancer visa in the free zones like RAKEZ, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre.

Employment Visa
An employment visa is for the free zone company employees, as the name indicates. The company will have a visa quota as per the license package or the size of the office space leased. The company will be applying for the employee visa, not the employee.

Dependant Visa
Those meeting the eligibility criteria of minimum salary and accommodation requirements can sponsor their family members, viz., spouse, children, and parents.
 

The advantages are what made the free zone visa a popular choice. A simplified visa issuance process, the freedom it offers, and a straightforward renewal procedure are some of the main factors of the free zone company visa. The UAE free zone company visa allows you to:

• Travel freely across the country, as well as internationally. The authority understands the travel requirements of an entrepreneur. Hence, there are no travel restrictions on the visa holder.
• Live and work in the UAE.
• Utilize the banking facilities and legally approved financial services in the UAE.
• Rent or lease property.

Eligibility criteria for the UAE free zone visa are quite clear and transparent. Aiming to support the investors, the authorities made the requirements, as well as the visa application process, simple.

The UAE free zone visa is available to:

• Those owning a business in any of the free zones in the country.
• The individuals working in a free zone entity.
• The investors holding a valid trade license.
• The passport is valid for at least the next 06 months.
• The expats clear the medical fitness test.
• Complied with security clearance.
• Dependents of individuals who meet salary/ investment and accommodation requirements.
   

Let’s understand the major differences between the free zone visa and the mainland visa.

Prepare the documents before commencing the free zone visa application process. To avoid last-minute hurry and unwanted confusion.

• Copy of Passport (Ensure that the passport is valid for at least 06 months)
• Passport-size photographs on a white background
• Copy of business license (with which the visa is associated)
• Establishment Card
• Entry Permit (if applicable only)
• Medical Test Report
• Sponsorship Documents (dependants only)
• Labour contract (employees only)
• Marriage Certificate (for dependent visa)
• Birth certificate (for dependent visa)
• Salary slip (for dependent visa)
• Concluded tenancy agreement (for dependent visa)

 A systematic and hassle-free visa process helps in acquiring a free zone visa without any trouble. The steps for a free zone visa in the UAE are:

Set up a Company or Get a Job in a Free Zone Company

• Set up a business in any of the free zones in the UAE. The investor/ shareholder is eligible for an Investor Visa/ Partner Visa.
• Obtain a job in any of the free zone companies. The company will process the visa formalities for the employee and provide an Employee Vis

Get an Establishment Card: The company incorporated in the free zone can obtain the Establishment Card. An Establishment Card is one of the mandatory requirements for sponsoring expat employees and getting them visas.

 Entry Permit Application: Apply for the entry permit. An individual can be outside or inside the country while applying. Company incorporation documents and an establishment card are the basic requirements for the entry permit application.

Medical Test for the Visa: Undergo medical tests in any of the facilities approved by the free zone authority. Complete the medical tests successfully and get the medical report.

Apply for the Emirates ID: Prepare the documents, complete the biometric formalities, and apply for the Emirates ID.

Visa Stamping: You are eligible for the visa once you have completed all the steps successfully. Submit the passport and required documents for the visa stamping. The authority will issue the visa after the final verification of the documents. The visa validity might vary from 02 to 03 years depending on the free zone. 

Consulting us would be the most convenient option for obtaining a free zone visa in the UAE. Trusted by expatriates from around the world, we have been one of the leading business setup services in the UAE for decades.
 

Although systematic, the business setup, establishment card application, corporate account opening, free zone visa processing, etc., could turn hectic for you. Especially when you are overloaded with business planning, strategy formulation, marketing, and other associated tasks. That is when you will need support from a trusted business setup service from Kiltons.
We are one of the top business setup services in the UAE, approved by the government. Serving clients with utmost honesty and dedication for decades, we have created an indelible identity. Kiltons designates a specific team for each of our clients to ensure a methodical completion of the process as quickly as possible. 
Contact us right away if you are looking for business setup, visa processing, or any other related support in the UAE.