Free Zone Visa Quota in the UAE
Your visa quota is set by the office you take, not the licence you buy. A zero-visa package gives none, a flexi desk typically gives 1 to 6, a dedicated office 4 to 15, and above that most zones move to roughly one visa per 9 sqm of leased space. Your own investor visa usually counts as one of them.
Visa quota by office type
This is the single table that answers the question. Two companies with identical trade licences can have completely different quotas, because quota follows the office.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa package) | 0 | Cheapest option. You get a trade licence but no residency for anyone, including you. |
| Flexi desk / smart desk / shared desk | 1 - 6 | The normal starting point. The exact number is set by the package you buy, not by the activity. |
| Dedicated small office (about 15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | Usually the first step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota. |
| Standard office (about 30 - 50 sqm) | 8 - 15 | Most zones move to a space-based calculation at this point. |
| Large office or warehouse | Space-based | Roughly one visa per 9 sqm of leased area, subject to the zone approving it. |
Typical starting quota by free zone
Starting allocation on an entry-level package, before any office upgrade. Packages are revised regularly, so treat these as the shape of the market and confirm the current terms with the zone.
| Free zone | Emirate | Typical starting quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Dubai | 0 - 6 | Quota is tied to the package tier; higher tiers add visas without a physical office. |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | 0 - 6 | Package-based, with zero-visa options for holding and consulting structures. |
| DMCC | Dubai | 2 - 3 | Flexi desk starts low; a physical office moves you onto a space-based quota. |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) | Dubai | 1 - 6 | Co-working packages at the low end, dedicated offices scale from there. |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | up to 20 | Unusually high allocation without requiring a physical office. |
| Shams | Sharjah | 1 - 6 | Low-cost packages with a modest starting quota. |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | 1 - 6 | Smart office packages are the cheapest route to a first visa. |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | 1 - 6+ | Wide package range; warehouse and industrial units go much higher. |
| Fujairah Creative City / FOIZ | Fujairah | 1 - 6 | Media and service packages at the low end. |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | 1 - 7 | Among the cheapest per-visa cost in the country. |
Indicative ranges for planning, not quotes. Confirm the current allocation and renewal cost with the zone before you buy.
What each visa actually costs
Quota is permission to apply. Each visa is then charged separately, and this is where budgets usually slip.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company. Required before you can apply for any visa. |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change if you are already in the UAE. |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee. Mainland also requires a MoHRE deposit; most free zones do not. |
| Extra visa beyond your quota | AED 1,500 - 5,000 + visa cost | A quota increase fee or an office upgrade, on top of the visa itself. |
| Dependent visa (spouse or child) | AED 4,000 - 6,000 | Does not use your company quota, but needs a minimum salary on your own visa. |
Three mistakes that cost people money
- Assuming a "3 visa package" means three staff. Your own investor visa usually takes one of the three, so you get yourself plus two.
- Buying the cheapest licence, then needing a fourth visa. Upgrading later costs more than buying the right tier at the start, because you pay the quota increase fee and often a new office contract.
- Picking a zone on licence price alone. A zone that is AED 3,000 cheaper on the licence can be AED 2,000 more expensive per visa, which reverses the saving at three staff.
How to increase your visa quota
- Upgrade your package tier with the same zone. Fastest route, usually a few days, and no move of premises.
- Lease a larger office. This moves you onto a space-based allocation of roughly one visa per 9 sqm, and is the only route past the flexi-desk ceiling.
- Apply for a quota increase on your existing space. The zone will normally want signed client contracts or payroll records to justify it, and it is at their discretion.
Budget AED 1,500 to 5,000 for the increase itself, plus the full cost of each new visa on top.
Free zone visa quota — FAQs
How many visas does a free zone licence give you?
It depends on the office you take, not the licence itself. A zero-visa package gives none. A flexi desk or smart desk typically gives 1 to 6, set by the package tier you buy. A dedicated office usually gives 4 to 15, and once you lease a larger space most zones switch to roughly one visa per 9 sqm. Two companies with identical trade licences can have very different quotas.
What is the free zone visa quota in Dubai?
In Dubai, a flexi desk package in zones such as IFZA or Meydan usually carries 1 to 6 visas depending on the tier you buy, and DMCC flexi desks typically start at 2 to 3. Zero-visa licences exist for holding and consulting structures. Beyond a flexi desk the quota becomes space-based, at roughly one visa per 9 sqm of leased office.
Does the business activity change my visa quota?
Usually no. Quota is driven by office type and leased area. Activity matters indirectly: industrial, contracting and healthcare activities require a physical unit or approved premises in the first place, so those companies end up on a space-based quota rather than a flexi-desk quota.
How do I increase my visa quota?
There are three routes. Upgrade to a higher package tier with the same zone, which is the quickest. Lease a larger office, which moves you to a space-based allocation. Or apply to the zone for a quota increase on your existing space, which usually requires signed client contracts or payroll evidence to justify the request. Fees run about AED 1,500 to 5,000 plus the cost of each visa.
Does my own investor visa use up the quota?
In most free zones yes, the investor or partner visa counts as one against your allocation. So a package advertised as three visas commonly means you plus two staff. Confirm this with the zone before you buy, because the marketing is not always clear about it.
Do dependent visas count against my company quota?
No. A spouse or child is sponsored by you personally, not by the company, so dependents do not consume company quota. You do need to meet a minimum salary on your own residence visa and provide attested marriage or birth certificates.
Which free zone gives the most visas for the lowest cost?
SPC Free Zone in Sharjah is the usual answer, because it allocates an unusually high number of visas without requiring a physical office. UAQ Free Trade Zone and Ajman Free Zone are typically cheapest on a per-visa basis for small quotas. Package terms change, so confirm the current allocation and renewal cost before committing.
What is the mainland visa quota rule?
On the mainland the quota is calculated from your leased office area, at roughly one visa per 9 sqm, and you must hold a registered Ejari tenancy contract. That is why mainland setups with several staff cost more than an equivalent free zone package, which can grant visas against a flexi desk.
Related
General information, not immigration advice. Visa quotas, package tiers and fees are set by each free zone authority and change without notice — confirm the current terms with the zone or the ICP before you apply.
Last updated: October 2026 · Maintained by the My Business Setup editorial team
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