Business Setup

When we talk about a visa quota, we mean the maximum number of residence or work visas a company can sponsor under its trade license. Authorities use quotas to regulate labour supply, ensure compliance with immigration law, and link staffing capacity with genuine business activity. 

That quota isn’t a static number handed out universally. It is assigned based on several factors, and you can apply to increase it as your business grows. 

How Dubai company visa quotas are determined

Here’s the practical breakdown:

1. Company location

• Mainland companies (MOHRE/GDRFA): Visa quotas are mostly tied to your actual office space and license type. Bigger offices typically qualify for more visas. 
• Free zone companies: Each free zone sets its own quotas. Some give small packages with a flexi-desk (often 1–3 visas), while larger dedicated offices allow more visas 

2. Office size and workspace type

• Mainland quotas are often linked to the physical space you lease — a common guideline is roughly one visa per ~9 sqm (100 sq ft), though this can vary by authority and activity. 
• In free zones, the package you select (flexi desk vs private office) affects your starting quota.

3. Business activity and licence category

Some activities are seen as more labour-intensive and may justify higher quotas. 

4. Compliance record

A solid compliance history with labour and immigration laws helps when asking for quota increases. 

5. Emiratisation requirements

Mainland companies must also align with Emiratisation targets (hiring UAE nationals where mandated), and failing to do so can affect quota approvals. 

Typical quota examples (practical context)

No official public “one size fits all” list exists, but here is how quotas often play out:

• Flexi desk (free zones): ~1–3 visas initially. 
• Small office space: Several visas (e.g., 4–6), depending on size and free zone rules. 
• Larger dedicated office: Can support higher quotas in both free zones and mainland (visa count grows with actual office area and business justification). Keep in mind that investor or partner visas count toward your company’s quota in many cases, but family visas (for spouses or children) typically do not count against it. 

Increasing your visa quota

If your company needs more visas than initially allocated:

• Upgrade to a larger office or a higher-tier business package. 
• Submit a quota increase request to MOHRE (mainland) or your free zone authority with updated tenancy and business documents. 
• Maintain clean compliance with labour law and Emiratisation quotas, which helps approvals.

What this means for Gulf Central readers

If you’re advising business owners or handling company setups in Dubai:

• Don’t treat visa quotas as a fixed number; treat them as growth levers that reflect your client’s license type, office footprint, and compliance status.
• Early planning on office space and license choice can set the stage for more visas later.
• Free zones offer fast setups with initial quotas, but scaling often means upgraded office packages and quota requests.

Understanding how quotas are determined gives you and your clients clarity on hiring, expansion strategy, and workforce planning as part of any business setup in Dubai.