Immigration Guidelines & Visas
Free Zone licenses come with a "Visa Quota" allocation, which defines how many residency visas the company can issue to partners and employees. The size of the leased office space typically dictates this quota.
Visa Processing Steps
- Establishment Card (Establishment Registry): Registered after the license is issued. Takes 2-4 working days.
- Entry Permit Application: Applied while the candidate is outside or inside the country. Takes 2-3 working days.
- Change of Status: If inside the country, the entry permit is activated without exiting.
- Medical Fitness Test & Biometrics: The applicant undergoes a blood test and chest X-ray at a government medical clinic, then submits fingerprints for the Emirates ID card.
- Visa Stamping / Residency Issuance: Final approval and issuance of the residency card.