How Many Visas Can I Get for My Company in Dubai?

Starting a business in Dubai? One key question is, “How many visas can I get for my company?” The answer depends on where you set up, the mainland or a free zone, your office size, and your business type. With more office space, it usually means more visas. Costs include visa fees, medical certificates, Emirates ID, and sometimes accommodation. Arnifi makes it simple by guiding you through the rules and approvals, so you can grow your team without hassle or surprises.

Introduction

While setting up a company in Dubai, new investors’ most common and first question asked is “How many visas can I get for my company?” This question is very important and a crucial step to consider because the number of employees you can legally sponsor is directly impacted by the visa quotas. This can affect the other aspects of the business in return, such as scaling operations, hiring professionals who are skilled and efficient, and management of your workforce. Therefore, having prior knowledge of the visa requirements and allotment would give you an awareness of how to budget accurately and plan to scale your business effectively without running into legal or logistical roadblocks.  

The number of visas that can be obtained by your company isn’t just some fixed figure; it can widely vary depending on the location of the business setup, whether you’re in Dubai’s mainland jurisdiction or one of its numerous free zones. Each area has its own set of rules and regulations that may differ accordingly; it depends closely on factors such as your office size, business activity, and compliance history. Getting a clear understanding of these guidelines early in the process ensures smoother approvals, fewer delays, and avoids the frustration and costs associated with exceeding visa limits or needing to restructure your company later on. This foundational knowledge empowers investors to build a hiring strategy aligned with their business goals right from the start.

What Determines Your Company’s Visa Quota?

Your visa quota depends on several key factors:

• The size and type of your office space, desk, flexi desk, shared office, private office, or warehouse
• The nature of your business activity
• Whether your company is registered on the mainland or in a free zone
• Guidelines from Dubai’s economic department
• Your company’s compliance record and financial health
• Emiratisation requirements for specific sectors (optional but important)

Visa Allocation in Dubai Mainland

In mainland Dubai, your visa quota is closely tied to your office size: flexi-desk setups grant fewer visas, while larger private offices allow more. Typical quota ranges may vary, but businesses can request an increase in quota by upgrading office space or meeting a few specific criteria. Approval also involves the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Visa Allocation in Dubai Free Zones

Free zones have their visa allocation frameworks, which vary widely:

• IFZA: Flexible for startups, with moderate visa limits depending on office size.
• DMCC: Offers generous visa quotas scaled by office space size.
• SHAMS: Permits small to medium companies a fair visa allocation with easy scalability.
• RAKEZ: Supports UAE mainland-style quotas with easier approval processes.
• Other free zones like SPC, Ajman, Meydan, and DSO each have their own rules linking visas to leased office space.

Can I Increase My Visa Quota?

Visa quota increases are generally possible by:

• Leasing larger office space or multiple offices.
• Fulfilling the economic department criteria and maintaining good compliance.
• Navigating specific free zone or mainland regulatory approvals.
• Providing updated documentation, like tenancy contracts.

Cost Factors to Consider

Visa issuance costs go beyond the sticker price. Here’s a breakdown per employee (2-year validity, Category 2/3 worker)

• Visa Processing/Stamping: AED 3,000-7,000 (MOHRE work permit AED 250-3,450 + residency stamping)
  
• Establishment Card: AED 200-2,000
  
• Medical Test: AED 500-800
  
• Emirates ID: AED 370-400
  
• Total Per Visa: AED 4,500-10,000+ (free zones ~AED 3,500-6,500; mainland higher)
  

Extras for quota increases:

• Additional office space: AED 20,000-50,000/year for extra visas
  
• Staff accommodation (10+ employees): AED 2,000-5,000/person annually
  

Smart budgeting tip: Plan a 20% buffer for renewals, insurance (AED 500-1,000), and fines. Bulk office upgrades unlock more visas cost-effectively.

Common Scenarios Clients Ask About

• Freelancers often ask if 1–2 visas are possible on a flexi desk or home setups.
• Trading companies frequently need to scale staff from a handful to dozens as they grow.
• Startups might start with 2 visas and quickly seek 10+ during expansion.
• Businesses shifting from flexi desks to full offices often do this to increase visa quotas.

How Arnifi Helps

Arnifi makes visa quota navigation easy by:

• Smoothing the approval and quota increase process.
• Advising on optimal mainland or free zone licenses for your hiring needs.
• Helping avoid delays or rejections with compliance-ready documentation.
• Identifying affordable office space solutions to align your quotas and costs.

FAQs

Can I get visas without office space?
No office space is mandatory.

Do free zones allow family visas?
It completely depends on the free zone and visa type.

How long does the quota approval take?
Typically, 1-3 weeks with proper docs.

Can I shift the company to a larger office later?
Yes, quota upgrades often require this.

Conclusion

The number of visas your company can secure in Dubai greatly depends on multiple factors, such as the type of business setup you choose, whether it’s mainland or free zone, the size and type of office space you lease, and the specific nature of your business activities and growth plans. Visa quotas aren’t one-size-fits-all but are designed to align with the scale and ambition of your company, adapting as you expand or diversify. Without careful planning, it’s easy to end up in a setup that restricts your ability to hire the talent you need, limiting your growth potential and adding unexpected costs for expansions or license upgrades. 

Getting expert advice early can change the game: specialists like Arnifi understand the nuances of visa allocations across jurisdictions, and they tailor strategies that fit your vision perfectly. This ensures you don’t get stuck with unforeseen limits and can confidently plan staffing, budgeting, and operational expansion. Ultimately, early consultation translates to smoother approvals, fewer compliance issues, and the freedom to grow your business at your own pace, making Arnifi not just a service provider but a trusted partner in your Dubai business journey.