How Many Work Visas Does Mainland Provide?

A business licensed on Dubai Mainland is entitled to apply for employee residence visas, but the actual number of visas is not fixed. Visa eligibility is assessed based on the characteristics of the leased office and the requirements of Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE).

Unlike Free Zones, Mainland does not operate with predefined visa caps or bundled visa packages. Instead, visas are approved through an individual assessment model. A company may request as many visas as its office size, layout, and operational profile allow, provided workforce density standards are met.

Because Mainland visas permit work across all sectors and throughout Dubai, office selection becomes a strategic decision that directly affects hiring capacity and long-term business scalability.

Core Principle of Visa Allocation on Mainland

To apply for residence visas, a company must lease a physical office and register the lease through Ejari. Mainland follows an evaluative approach, where visa quotas are primarily linked to office size.

The typical process is as follows:

• a lease agreement is registered via Ejari
• the company submits a visa quota request to MOHRE / GDRFA
• authorities assign a visa quota based on office area and business activity

Market practice generally applies an indicative benchmark of approximately one visa per 9 sq. m (around 90-100 sq. ft), although the final number may vary depending on the nature of the company’s operations.

A trade license issued by DET grants the legal right to apply for visas, but it does not guarantee a specific number without a confirmed office and approved parameters.

How Office Type Affects Visa Numbers

Serviced Office / Business Centre

• Typically allows 2-6 visas
• Suitable for small teams and representative offices
• Commonly used when entering the Dubai market

Conventional (Classic) Office

• Visa quota calculated directly from office area
• Common practice: 1 visa per 9-10 sq. m (90-110 sq. ft) of usable space
• Visa limits can be increased as the office expands

Retail, Showroom, or Warehouse Space

• Visa numbers depend on functional use of the premises
• Warehouses and industrial facilities often qualify for higher quotas
• Reviewed on a case-by-case basis by MOHRE

MOHRE applies employee density standards when assessing commercial premises, ensuring compliance with workplace regulations.

Indicative Visa Capacity on Dubai Mainland

Based on averaged market practice:

• 20–30 sq. m (215-325 sq. ft)→ approximately 2-3 visas
• 40–60 sq. m (430-650 sq. ft) → approximately 4-6 visas
• 80–100 sq. m (860-1100 sq. ft) → approximately 8-10 visas
• Large offices → no strict cap, subject to regulatory compliance

Increasing the Visa Quota

Additional visas may be approved if the company:

• expands the leased office area
• relocates to a larger premises
• substantiates operational need through MOHRE

Unlike Free Zones, Mainland does not impose rigid visa bundles that limit growth. Workforce capacity can scale in line with business expansion.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Mainland trade license automatically include visas?

No. The license allows a company to submit visa applications, but the approved number depends on the leased office.

Is there a default visa limit on Mainland?

No. Visa quotas are assessed individually by MOHRE and are tied to office size and usage.

Key Takeaways

• Dubai Mainland does not apply a fixed visa count linked to the license
• The number of work visas depends on the type and size of the commercial space
• A common benchmark is 1 visa per 9-10 sq. m (90-110 sq. ft)
• Mainland is well suited for companies planning team growth and operational scaling
• In commercial real estate terms, a Mainland office is a core element of workforce and visa strategy, not a procedural formality