Mainland Visas & Entry Permits, UAE
Entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, here's how the sequence actually works for investor, employment and family visas.
Free, no-obligation consultation on your visa route and cost.
A mainland entry permit lets you enter the UAE and begin the residence process, it isn't the residence visa itself. The full sequence runs entry permit, status adjustment (if applicable), medical fitness test, Emirates ID registration, then visa stamping. Investor/partner visas, employment visas and family sponsorship all follow this same basic sequence, with differences in who sponsors the application.
Why It Matters
An entry permit lets you enter the UAE and begin the residence visa process, it isn't the residence visa itself. Understanding the sequence, entry permit, status adjustment, medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping, avoids the confusion that trips up a lot of first-time applicants.
Choose Your Route
Sponsored through your own mainland company once it's licensed.
Sponsored by a mainland employer once you have a confirmed job offer.
Sponsored by a primary visa holder for a spouse and dependent children.
Getting Started
Applied for by your sponsor (company or family member), issued before or on arrival.
Enter within the entry permit's validity window.
Switching visa status while remaining in the country, where applicable.
A standard requirement at an approved medical center.
Biometric registration and Emirates ID application.
Your residence visa is stamped into your passport once all steps are complete.
Typically possible once your Emirates ID and visa are issued.
Once your own visa is active, begin sponsoring dependents if applicable.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry permit fee | From approx. AED 1,000 to 3,000, visa type-dependent* |
| Medical fitness test | Standard fee, required for all residence visa categories* |
| Emirates ID | Fee varies by validity duration (2 or 3-year)* |
| Visa stamping fee | Additional fee, confirmed at the stamping stage* |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published starting rates at the time of writing. Confirm current fees with GDRFA/ICP or your advisor before publishing this page.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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