The United Arab Emirates attracts top talent from all over the world. There are multiple reasons why entrepreneurs and professionals choose the UAE to advance their careers. A visa is one of the essential documents for every business owner and employee who wants to work in the UAE.
Visa quotas determine the number of employees a company can sponsor in the country. This quota affects business growth and operations. Whether establishing a company in the Mainland or in a Free Zone, these visas require documents that must be produced at the time of final business setup. MOHRE- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation takes care of the visa process for the mainland, and the local free zone authorities are responsible for free zone businesses. A visa quota is a limit that defines the number of employees a company is allowed to maintain in the UAE.
The visa rule in the UAE has changed recently. The primary reason for taking this step is to boost the country's economy and attract the best talent from around the world. Some of the changes to the 2025 visa program include expanded programs to attract international talent, tourist projects, and revamped flexible visit visa options for short-term stays, which now include 30, 60, or 90-day single-entry visas.
Applications for lifetime residence under Golden Visas, on nomination, have now been extended to eligible Indians, with retirement visa options also being increased.
How Does the Business Quota Play an Important Role in the Business Setup?
The visa quota refers to the maximum number of residence permits that can be issued to foreign workers under a company's business license. It applies to both free zone companies (under the administrative rules of their respective free zones) and mainland companies (registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization - MOHRE).
Each new company is initially issued a limited number of visas; once the sector wants to hire more employees, the quota shall be raised. Visa quotas also serve as a compliance test; if your business violates labour laws or fails to meet the stipulations of Emiratization under a specific criterion, you will not be allowed to obtain any new visas.
Visa Quota Allocation by MOHRE
In the mainland, all the visa quotas are processed through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Here's the split:
New Companies:
- Normal Business: 3 employee visas
- Medium-priority industry: 6 visas
- Top-priority business sector: 20 visas
Existing Companies
- They can add 5-10% of their existing workforce (up to 100 employees)
- High-priority business sectors can expand it up to 50% without any special approval.
Diversity in the Workforce and Emiratization
In 2025, two more regulations came into effect:
Emiratization: Mainland businesses with 50 or more workers are required to hire 2% more Emirati citizens annually.
Diversity in the workforce: MOHRE advises businesses to refrain from having too many employees of one nationality. They instruct companies to have one out of every five foreign employees.
3 Simple Steps to Expand Mainland Visa Quota
- Apply via MOHRE
- Prepare valid documents, eg, Trade license, Ejari, etc.
- Ensure all the business compliance, eg, card updation, fine settlements.
Visa Quota Allocation in Free Zone by Local Authorities
In the free zones, all the visa quotas are managed by the local authority.
Here's the split:
- Flexi Desk: 1-3 visas
- Shared Office: 4-5 visas
- Owned office space: 1 visa per 9 m² (e.g. DMCC model)
*Each free zone defines its own ratio. For example:
-DMCC: 1 visa per 9 m²
-ADGM: 1 visa per 8 m²
Visa Expansion in a Free Zone
1- Upgrade office space
2- Special request, eg, quota increase request, zone shifts or other business case.
How Markai Corporate Services Can Help You?
Expanding your business means more visa requirements for your sponsored employees. There’s indeed no greater feeling than business growth, but at the same time, applying for more visas can slow you down as it’s a hectic process.
At Markai Corporate Services, we handle your visa quote process, allowing you to focus on growth without distractions. Not just visa requirements, but we also assist you in overall business setup in the UAE and give your business aspirations new wings.
