Sohrab Vazir
Consultant | Founder | Global Citizen | Writer
UAE Startup Visa
The UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs
The UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs is a long-term residency visa designed to attract high-potential business founders and innovators to the UAE. This visa grants entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to live, work, and grow their businesses in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly developing economies.
Key requirements
As an entrepreneur, you can qualify for a 5-year Golden Visa if you own a technical or future-oriented economic project that involves risk and innovation. To be eligible, you need approval letters from the following entities:
Project Investment
You must own or be a partner in an economic project that is innovative or has a technical/future-oriented focus, with a minimum value of 500,000 AED (approximately $136,000 USD).
- A UAE-based auditor confirming that your project has a minimum value of 500,000 dirhams (approx. US$136,129).
- The relevant emirate authorities, stating that your project is of a technical or future nature.
- An accredited business incubator in the UAE supporting the establishment of your proposed activity within the country.
As a former migrant founder, my specialism lies in helping international founders
I moved to the UK alone on a student visa in pursuit of further education when I was 17 years old.
After completing my master’s degree in international law, I was endorsed by Newcastle University for two business visas (formerly the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa replaced by the current Start-up Visa). I obtained several entrepreneur visas until receiving my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)/ Settlement in the UK. I never used a lawyer and obtained the following visas:
- Tier 4 / Student (3 separate visas)
- Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur (endorsed by Newcastle University)
- Tier 1 Entrepreneur ( Initial + Extension)
- Settlement
Milestones
My company, StudyFlats, through which I settled in the UK, achieved the following:
- Business development & property portfolio growth from 2 to 30+ UK cities (10,000 students rooms)
- 1,000+ students consulted & assisted
- Enquiries from 50+ countries
- 2 endorsements from Newcastle University for business visas (annually limited to 20 out of 6,000 students)
- Job creation for 4 people in the UK
To summarise: I know & have been through the journey…!
What I offer
Expert Opinion
I scaled a tech business to 30+ UK cities, and can help you with the commercial matters of your business.
Business Evaluation
See how viable your idea and its potential is.
Solid Plan
I will help you draft the best business plan possible.
UAE Startup Visa Consultation
🚀 Helping founders create solid business proposals & plans
As a former immigrant founder who has scaled a tech startup in the UK (and settled here via the latter), I use my business experience to create the strongest business proposition for you.
Some of the key areas that I can help with include:
- Business evaluation: understand the practicality and processes of setting up your business
- Business plan review & writing
- Marketing & market research
- Strategy consulting
💻 Book your introduction session
Extra help
Business Plan Writing
I can help you with every aspect of your business plan.
Working with me helps you develop an articulate, credible and viable business plan / proposal.
Funding
Seeking to fund your business/start-up?
Regardless of your funding type (e.g. angel investment, VCs or crowdfunding), I will help you create a solid strategy and get started correctly.
Branding & Marketing
I have spent the past six years being in charge of digital marketing activities across several industries.
Whether you’re B2B or B2C, I can help you implement a successful digital marketing strategy.
🗨️ UAE Startup Visa | FAQ
The UAE Golden Visa for entrepreneurs is a long-term residency program that allows eligible entrepreneurs to live and work in the UAE for up to 5 years. This visa aims to attract and retain talented business owners and investors who contribute to the country’s economic development. Here are the key requirements and benefits:
Yes. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business or a medium organisation, I am able to help.
No, I work with a very broad range of businesses.
However, there are certain exceptions & specific types of industries which I may not be able to assist with due to ethical or legal considerations.
Yes.
Creating the best presentation of the business proposition in the form of a business plan is the key goal ~ and that’s where my help comes in.
I can help with every aspect of the business plan, including drafting one. Of course, this needs to be on the basis of the idea / primary research and info coming from you.
Please note: I do not produce or sell generic, plagiarised or templated business plans. All works are tailored, unique and produced by myself.
Absolutely.
I am happy to share a sample of my own previous business plan (which was approved by the UK Home Office).
This is to ensure you have an idea of the standard of work to expect.
No, unless they are specific forms of work that are publicly accessible (e.g. a blog article or digital content).
Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of business plans, I apply and operate under a policy of absolute confidentiality with my clients whom I write business plans for.