UAE Free Zone Visa Guide: Eligibility, Process and Costs
Published 14 September 2026Updated 16 September 20267 min read
A free zone company can sponsor residence visas for owners, employees and, in many cases, their dependants, within the quota attached to your licence and facility.
The process is sequential: the company must be able to sponsor before any individual application starts.
Step 1: Visa quota and establishment card
Your package sets how many visas you may sponsor. Before applying, the company needs an immigration establishment card from the relevant authority.
Step 2: Entry permit
The entry permit authorises the applicant to complete the residence process, either from inside the UAE via status change or by entering the country on the permit.
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Chat on WhatsAppStep 3: Medical examination and Emirates ID
Applicants complete a medical fitness test at an approved centre and biometric registration for the Emirates ID.
Step 4: Visa issuance and stamping
Once results are cleared, the residence visa is issued and linked to the Emirates ID. Processing times depend on the authority, medical results and document accuracy.
Dependants
Residents can generally sponsor a spouse and children subject to income, accommodation and documentation conditions, which are assessed by the immigration authority.
- Attested marriage certificate for spouse sponsorship
- Attested birth certificates for children
- Tenancy or accommodation evidence where requested
- Salary or income evidence where requested
Renewals and cancellations
Free zone residence visas are typically issued for two or three years and must be renewed before expiry. If an employee leaves, the visa must be cancelled properly to keep the company's file clean and preserve quota.
Key takeaways
- Establishment card comes before any visa application
- Quota depends on package and facility
- Dependant sponsorship has separate conditions decided by immigration
This article is general information published by TRASOL LLC - FZ and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, rules and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authorities and can change. Verify current requirements before acting.
