Mainland Visas in Dubai:
Investor, Employee and Family Visas
A Dubai mainland company can sponsor residence visas for its owners, employees and families once it holds a valid licence, an Ejari-registered tenancy and an establishment card. The number of visas depends on your office space and activity, and each visa needs an entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID. Maven& manages the immigration file from start to finish.
- Investor, employee and family visas
- Quota checked before you apply
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Mainland visa partner
Visa types
Investor or partner, employee and dependant visas.
Stages to residence
Establishment card, entry permit, status change, medical test and Emirates ID.
Team from start to launch
One consultant handles your application, approvals, visas and bank account introductions.
- Visa types
Mainland visa types
Investor or partner visa
For shareholders of a mainland company with a valid licence and Ejari-registered tenancy.
Employee visa
For staff hired under the company quota, with labour approval and a contract.
Dependant visa
For a spouse and children, subject to the sponsor visa, housing and income rules.
Visa for owners abroad
Owners abroad can start before travelling, then complete the medical test and biometrics after entry.
What decides how many mainland visas you can get?
Visa numbers follow your office and activity, not the licence alone.
- Office space: your visa quota is tied to the size and type of your Ejari-registered office.
- Establishment card: the company needs an active establishment card before visas are processed.
- Quota growth: the quota can grow as you hire and keep labour records compliant.
- Virtual offices: a virtual office address alone generally supports few employee visas, though a registered tenancy can support an owner visa.
- Presence: the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics are done in the UAE.
- Investor vs employee visa
Mainland investor visa vs employee visa
Both are sponsored by your mainland company, but they follow different routes.
| Feature | Investor or partner visa | Employee visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Shareholder or owner | Hired staff |
| Sponsor | The mainland company | The mainland company |
| What it needs | Valid licence, Ejari tenancy and ownership documents | Labour approval or contract, and available quota |
| Visa quota | Tied to office size | Counts against the quota |
| Best for | Owners who live in the UAE | Teams you hire |
- Visa routes
Three mainland visa routes
Visa
For owners and partners
- Sponsored by your mainland company
- Needs licence, tenancy and card
- Usually the first visa processed
- Medical test and biometrics in the UAE
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Visa
For hired staff
- Needs available quota
- Labour approval or contract
- Each visa counts against the quota
- Quota can grow with compliance
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Visas
For spouse and children
- Sponsor must hold a visa and Emirates ID
- Housing and income rules apply
- Attested family documents
- Handled after the sponsor visa
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does mainland visas cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee before you commit.
- Licence and activity fees
- Premises or tenancy costs, where required
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Extra approvals, if your activity needs them
- Annual renewal and accounting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to get a mainland residence visa in 5 steps
Confirm your quota and office
We check the visa quota your licence and Ejari-registered office support.
Open the immigration file
We obtain the establishment card and submit the entry permit.
Enter and change status
You enter the UAE, or change status if you are already here.
Medical test and Emirates ID
You complete the medical fitness test and biometrics.
Residence visa issued
The visa is stamped or issued digitally and your Emirates ID arrives.
Documents required for a mainland residence visa
The documents depend on the visa type. This list covers what most applicants prepare first.
- Passport copy with sufficient validity
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- Trade licence, Ejari tenancy and establishment card of the company
- Entry permit or current UAE visa, if applicable
- Medical fitness test result
- Emirates ID biometric appointment
- Employment contract, for employee visas
- Marriage and birth certificates, for family visas, attested where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for mainland visas
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right activity, structure and authority
Rules differ by activity and authority. We check your activity, structure and approvals before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- FAQs
mainland visas: frequently asked questions
The number depends on your office size, activity and labour record. We confirm your quota before you apply.
Generally yes. A mainland company needs a registered tenancy, and the office size affects the quota. See Ejari registration.
Validity depends on the visa type and the rules in force, and visas are renewable. We confirm the term for your case.
Usually yes. The sponsor generally needs a residence visa and Emirates ID and must meet housing and income rules. See family and dependent visas.
No. The company needs a valid licence and establishment card before it can sponsor visas.
An investor visa is tied to your business and renews with it, while the Golden Visa is a longer, self-sponsored visa with set category thresholds.
You can usually apply to increase the quota, often by moving to a larger office or improving your labour record. We review the options.
The cost depends on your activity, premises, visas and approvals, so there is no single price. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your activity, authority, documents and approvals, and visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. We confirm your activity and structure, prepare the application, manage approvals and follow the process through to licence, visas and bank account. Final approvals are always the authority\u2019s decision. Contact us for an itemised quote.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to start with mainland visas?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a plan built around your business. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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