How Many Work Visas Does a Free Zone Provide?

Once a company obtains a Free Zone trade license, it becomes eligible to apply for employment residence visas. However, the number of visas granted is not fixed. Visa eligibility depends on several variables, primarily related to the office setup, the chosen Free Zone, and the internal policies of the relevant authority.

In practical terms, a business license on its own does not come with a predefined “visa package”. Instead, visas are linked to the actual office space leased by the company. This is why understanding visa capacity at the property selection stage is critical for workforce planning in Dubai.

In most Free Zones, companies typically receive between 1 and 6 visas at the initial stage, with the option to increase this number later by expanding or upgrading their office arrangement.

What Determines the Number of Visas?

The visa quota in a Free Zone is defined by a combination of factors, not by the license alone:

• type of office (flexi desk, serviced office, or conventional office)
• size of the leased premises
• internal regulations of the specific Free Zone
• nature of the company’s business activity

There is no universal standard across all Free Zones – each authority applies its own rules and ratios.

How Visa Quotas Relate to Office Type

Flexi Desk / Virtual Office

• Typically allows 1-3 visas
• Suitable for small teams, holding structures, or market entry
• Often used at the business setup stage

Serviced Office

• On average 3-6 visas, depending on office size
• Visa limits can usually be increased by upgrading the package
• A popular option for SMEs and international companies

Conventional (Classic) Office

• Visa numbers are calculated based on office area
• Common benchmark: 1 visa per 8-10 sq. m (85–110 sq. ft), subject to the Free Zone
• Best suited for teams of 5-10 employees and above

Does Office Size Affect Visa Limits?

Yes. In most Free Zones, visa capacity increases in line with office size.

Indicative market practice (averaged):

• 20–25 sq. m (215-270 sq. ft) → 3-4 visas
• 40–50 sq. m (430-540 sq. ft) → 5-7 visas
• 80+ sq. m (850+ sq. ft) → 10 or more visas

Exact ratios are set by the Free Zone authority and are confirmed when the lease is registered.

Is It Possible to Increase the Visa Quota?

In most Free Zones, the answer is yes, provided certain conditions are met:

• expansion into a larger office space
• upgrading the office format
• re-approval by the Free Zone authority

As a rule, visa limits cannot be increased without a corresponding increase in physical office space.

Practical Recommendations

• Plan visa requirements before signing the lease, not afterward
• Confirm the square-feet-per-visa ratio in the specific Free Zone
• Avoid flexi desks if team growth is expected
• For teams of 10+ employees, a conventional office is often more cost-efficient in the long term

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Does a trade license automatically include visas?

Yes. To obtain a trade license, a company must lease at least one workspace (often a flexi desk). Upon licensing, most Free Zones initially allow 1-3 visas.

Is it possible to obtain visas without leasing a physical office?

In some cases, yes – through a flexi desk or virtual office. However, in TECOM districts regulated by DDA, a physical office is mandatory to obtain both the license and visas.

Key Takeaways

• Free Zones typically provide 1-3 visas at the initial licensing stage
• Visa availability is directly linked to office type and floor area
• Scaling staff numbers usually requires expanding or upgrading office space
• In commercial real estate terms, the office is a core visa-enabling asset, not a formality
• Choosing the right office format early helps avoid staffing limits and unnecessary future costs