The smartest entrepreneurs no longer treat the Golden Visa as a separate luxury — they now engineer their business setup in Dubai from day one to automatically qualify for the 10-year UAE residency. In 2025, the rules are simpler and cheaper than ever, and here’s exactly how to structure your company to get both the business and the Golden Visa with zero extra effort.
The Four Golden Visa Paths Available Through Business Setup (2025 Rules)
| Path | Minimum Requirement | Processing Time | Cost (beyond normal setup) |
| Investor Visa (Classic) | AED 1 million paid-up capital in free zone/mainland | 14–30 days | AED 1M capital only |
| Job Creation Route | Create 5 UAE national jobs within 2 years | 21–45 days | Salary cost only |
| Property + Business Combo | AED 750k property + any Dubai company | 10–21 days | Property purchase |
| Outstanding Entrepreneur | Proven track record + AED 500k turnover in year 1 | 30–60 days | None extra |
The AED 1 million investor route is by far the most popular in 2025 because it’s instant and predictable.
How to Structure Your Company for Automatic Golden Visa Qualification
Option 1 – The AED 1 Million Capital Route (Most Popular)
- Choose any free zone or mainland LLC
- Declare AED 1,000,000 (or higher) as paid-up share capital in the MOA
- Deposit the money into the company’s UAE corporate bank account within 60 days of license
- Submit bank certificate + auditor letter with Golden Visa application Result: 10-year Golden Visa for shareholder + spouse + children under 25 + domestic staff.
2025 bonus: Several free zones (Meydan, DMCC, Dubai South) reduced the threshold to AED 750,000 if you locate in their “strategic” buildings.
Option 2 – The 5-Job Creation Route (Cheapest Long-Term)
- Set up any company (even AED 50,000 capital)
- Hire 5 Emiratis at minimum AED 12,000–15,000/month each within 24 months
- Register them with GPSSA and get Ministry of Human Resources confirmation
- Apply → Golden Visa issued Many consultants now bundle “Emirati hiring packages” to make this painless.
Option 3 – Combine Property + Company
Buy an apartment or office worth AED 750,000+ → set up any company (even zero-capital SPC package) → apply under combined criteria → approved in under 14 days.
Step-by-Step Timeline When You Plan Both Together
Day 1–10 → Normal business setup (license + bank account)
Day 11–20 → Inject AED 1M (or buy property)
Day 21–35 → Submit Golden Visa application via ICP portal or typing centre
Day 36–50 → Medical + biometrics (one short trip or at UAE embassy abroad)
Day 51–60 → 10-year Golden Visa stamped
Total extra time: almost zero if planned from the beginning.
Real Costs in 2025
- Golden Visa government fee: AED 2,800–4,500 per person
- Medical + Emirates ID: AED 1,200
- Consultant fast-track fee: AED 5,000–12,000 (optional but common) Compare that to the old AED 10 million property route — it’s now accessible to upper-middle-class entrepreneurs.
The Hidden Benefits Most People Miss
- No sponsor needed ever again
- Open unlimited companies under the same visa
- Sponsor parents for 10 years (new 2025 rule)
- Children stay on your visa until age 30 if enrolled in UAE university
- 0 % personal income tax for life
Structure your business setup correctly on day one and the Golden Visa becomes a free bonus instead of an expensive extra. Thousands of entrepreneurs are doing exactly this in 2025 — and regretting only that they didn’t do it sooner.
