A common question from people who register a company in the UAE is: does owning a company give me residence? The answer is yes, but there are several routes. The two routes that need no sponsor are the "green" residence and the "golden" residence. This article is based on the official guides of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the service page of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), checked on 24 October 2026.
The two residences at a glance
| Topic | Green residence | Golden residence |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years, renewable | 10 years, renewed automatically |
| Sponsor | Not needed | Not needed |
| Capital condition for a partner or investor | The pages we read state no amount; proof of investment or partnership and the necessary licences | A deposit, company capital or partner's share of at least AED 2,000,000, or a company paying at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes |
| Source of funds | — | The capital must be fully owned by the investor and not come from a loan |
| Family | Sponsoring a spouse and children is possible under the requirements | Spouse and children regardless of age, and parents |
The green column is based on ICP's green residence guide (updated on 12 September 2026) and the golden column on ICP's golden residence guide (updated on 10 September 2026).
The green residence
ICP's guide names three groups for the green residence: skilled workers, freelancers and the self-employed, and investors and business partners. For the third group it sets two conditions:
- obtaining the necessary licences and approvals from the relevant authorities;
- providing proof of investment or contribution to a business in the UAE.
The guide says there are "specified grace periods" after expiry, but does not give their length; ask the authority.
The "green residence (partner investor)" service in Dubai
The service page of Dubai's General Directorate of Residency gives these details:
| Topic | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Residence of up to 5 years for an investor or partner in a commercial project |
| Condition | Approval of the competent authorities and the applicant's authorisation to practise the activity |
| Documents | Personal photo, passport copy valid for at least 6 months, partnership agreement or memorandum of association or investment contract, trade licence |
| Time | Expected completion within 48 hours |
| Channels | Website or smart app around the clock with UAE Pass, customer happiness centre, Amer centres |
| Renewal | Under the same conditions as the first issuance |
The official fees of this service:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit fee | AED 200 |
| Knowledge dirham | AED 10 |
| Innovation dirham | AED 10 |
| Fee for applying from inside the country | AED 500 |
| Delivery | AED 20 |
The page says that if the residence is longer than two years, the issuance fee rises by AED 100 for each additional year.
The golden residence for investors
ICP's golden residence guide lists these options for "public investment":
- a deposit of at least AED 2,000,000 with an investment fund or a national bank;
- a company with capital of at least that amount, or a partner's share of that value;
- or owning or being a partner in a company that pays at least AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes.
The capital must be fully owned by the investor and not come from a loan. Comprehensive health insurance for the investor and family is required when applying. According to the same guide, a golden residence holder may also sponsor domestic workers under the regulations, and if the holder dies, the sponsored family members may stay in the UAE until their permits expire. For the property route to golden residence, see our article on buying property in Dubai and our general golden residence article.
Two examples
These examples are hypothetical and only show the logic of the choice.
**Example 1: a partner in a small Dubai company.** A person holds 40% of a trading company with registered capital of AED 300,000. Their share does not reach the AED 2 million threshold of the golden residence. The likely route is the green partner-investor residence:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | AED 200 |
| Knowledge and innovation | AED 20 |
| Applying from inside the country | AED 500 |
| Delivery | AED 20 |
| Issuance increase for years three to five | AED 300 |
| Total authority fees for 5 years, according to the service page | AED 1,040 |
Our reading of "AED 100 for each year beyond two years" is that AED 100 is added three times for a 5-year residence; confirm the exact figure when applying. Medical examination, ID card and insurance costs are not included.
**Example 2: an investor with a bank deposit.** A person has deposited AED 2,500,000 of their own assets, without a loan, with a UAE national bank. They fall under the "public investment" route of the golden residence and must have comprehensive health insurance.
Practical points
- Both the green and golden residences need no sponsor, but their conditions and durations differ; before registering the company, take the residence goal into account in the capital structure.
- The partnership agreement or memorandum of association and the trade licence must be up to date and consistent; they are the main documents.
- The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- The Dubai service is available around the clock on the residency directorate's website or app with a UAE Pass account; have that account ready before applying.
- Residence by itself is not permission to work for others or for another company; see our article on work permits.
Royal Golden does not give legal or immigration advice. This article is general information, and the decision on any residence rests with the official UAE authorities.
Sources
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), green residence guide — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-green-residency/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), golden residence guide — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services/uae-golden-residency/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA), issuing green residence permit (partner investor) — https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f52024c6-b812-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936 (checked on 24 October 2026)