Visas & Immigration
DIFC entities act as sponsors for their employees under the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai. The process is administered through the DIFC Government Services Office.
7.1 Establishment Card
Before sponsoring any visa, the company must obtain an Establishment Card: - Valid for one year or until commercial licence expiry - Cost: USD 618 (Normal) / USD 656 (Express) - Personnel Sponsorship Deposit: USD 680 per employee (refundable on exit) - Renewal mandatory annually; failure to renew within 1 month incurs AED 100/month fine
7.2 Visa Quota System
The number of visas a DIFC entity can sponsor is determined by leased office space:
| Office Type | Typical Visa Allocation |
|---|---|
| Flexi / Co-working desk (business centre) | 1 visa per desk (up to 4 visas with Innovation Licence on first desk) |
| Serviced / Business Centre office | 3–5 visas per unit |
| Fitted / Dedicated office | Approx. 1 visa per 80 sq ft of leased space |
| Standard dedicated office (20 persons) | Up to 30+ (based on sq footage) |
7.3 Visa Types and Costs
| Visa Type | Cost (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Residence Visa | USD 1,500–2,500 (government fees) + medical + Emirates ID | Includes entry permit, change of status, medical test, Emirates ID issuance, visa stamping |
| Investor / Director Visa | USD 1,000–1,500 (government fees) | For shareholders / directors; similar process |
| Golden Visa (10-year) | Standard visa fees + discretionary GDRFA approval | For executives earning AED 30,000+/month, or investors with AED 2 million+ in DIFC entity, or DIFC property owners |
| Dependent Visa | USD 500–1,000 per dependent | Spouse, children under 18 (daughters any age if unmarried) |
7.4 Golden Visa
DIFC entities may nominate employees for the UAE Golden Visa (10-year residence) under three routes: 1. Senior executives earning AED 30,000+ per month 2. Investors with a minimum AED 2 million investment in the DIFC entity 3. Property owners in DIFC
Approval is at the discretion of GDRFA. The Golden Visa confers 10-year renewable residency for the holder and immediate family.
Sources: DIFC — Visas & Emirates ID1; DIFC Government Services Office (GSO)1; 10 Leaves — DIFC Setup & Visas2