This is the personal side of the move — getting your own residence visa, bringing your spouse, children and parents, sorting schooling, housing and banking, and becoming UAE tax-resident. Here's how it works, what it costs, the timeline, and how we handle it alongside your business.
Moving yourself over pays off when you genuinely live and build here — not as a paper visa in your passport.
An illustrative starting point for one person's residence visa, Emirates ID and basics via your own UAE company. Your total depends on:
We map your residency route and your family's needs first, then send a written plan and quote — per person — before you commit.
Split payments Setup fees can be paid in instalments with Tamara. Your advisor confirms eligibility and terms with your quote.
| Investor visa | Golden visa | Green visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 5 or 10 years | 5 years |
| How you qualify | Own a UAE company | Property, talent or capital | Skilled work or freelance |
| Sponsor family | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal | Every 2 years | On the same term as granted | Every 5 years |
| Best for | Founders with a company | Investors & top talent | Skilled professionals |
In short: most relocating founders start on an investor visa through their own UAE company — fast and simple. If you qualify on property, capital or talent, a Golden Visa gives ten years of stability; a Green Visa suits skilled professionals & freelancers. We match the route to how you actually qualify.
The most common route is an investor or partner residence visa through your own UAE company — it comes with your licence. If you qualify on property, capital or talent, you can instead apply for a Golden Visa — 5 years on the property and entrepreneur routes, 10 on the fund and large-capital routes — or a 5-year Green Visa as a skilled professional or freelancer. We'll advise which fits you best.
A Golden Visa gives ten years of residency for qualifying investors, founders and top talent, and is renewable. A Green Visa gives five years for skilled professionals and freelancers who meet the criteria. Both let you sponsor your family and don't tie you to a single employer.
Yes. Once your own residency is in place, you can sponsor your spouse, children and — subject to conditions — your parents. We handle the sponsorship applications, medicals and Emirates IDs alongside your own.
The UAE has 0% personal income tax on salary and most personal income. But your home country's rules still matter — many countries keep taxing you until you properly become non-resident, and some have exit taxes. We always recommend cross-border tax advice alongside the move.
Once your documents are ready, the residence visa, medical and Emirates ID typically take around two to four weeks. Family sponsorship usually follows once your own residency is issued, and can run alongside.
The UAE has a wide choice of British, American and IB schools — popular ones fill up, so apply early. Housing is rented on a registered tenancy (Ejari), usually on a one-year contract. We help you shortlist schools and get your tenancy, banking and utilities sorted.
Ask AgentBiz about your residency and family move, or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.
