Establishment card

An immigration card issued to a licensed company, registering it with the federal immigration authority so it can sponsor residence visas. Without it the company exists commercially but cannot employ anyone or sponsor a shareholder's residence. It is issued after the trade licence and renewed alongside it.

Where it comes up

The establishment card is what connects your company to the federal immigration system. Without it the company exists commercially but cannot sponsor a single residence visa — not for staff, not for you. It is issued after the trade licence and before any visa application.

What it costs

A modest government fee relative to the licence, renewed annually. The cost that matters is the disruption when it lapses.

Who it applies to

Every company sponsoring residence visas, mainland or free zone.

How it actually goes

1. Get the licence firstThe card is issued against a live trade licence — it cannot be applied for in parallel.
2. File with immigrationThrough the free zone portal, or via ICP and MOHRE for mainland companies. Licence, MOA and the manager's passport and photograph.
3. Wait a few working daysLonger if the activity needs security clearance, or if the manager's nationality triggers additional checks.
4. Quota is setOnce the immigration file opens, the authority assigns a visa quota against your premises. Only then can the first residence visa be filed.

Diarise the card's own expiry separately from the licence. In several zones the two dates drift apart, and a lapsed card freezes every visa transaction including renewals already in progress.

In short

• Also called an immigration card or immigration establishment card
• Required before any residence visa application
• Renewed with the licence; a lapse blocks all visa processing

Where this leads

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