Golden Visa via Property

The core route is owning property in the UAE worth at least AED 2 million, which qualifies the owner for a 10-year renewable residence visa. The valuation is generally assessed on the official purchase value registered with the land department rather than the current market estimate. The visa is tied to continued ownership: selling below the threshold ends eligibility at renewal. Application runs through the relevant land department and the federal identity authority, with the property title deed as the anchor document.

In Dubai, off-plan property can qualify, subject to the prevailing conditions applied by the Dubai Land Department at the time of application — historically this has included requirements such as purchasing from approved developers and minimum amounts paid. Because eligibility criteria for off-plan and under-construction assets have been adjusted over time, verify the current rules directly with the DLD or a registered service centre before structuring a purchase around the visa. The AED 2 million value threshold applies regardless.

Yes, mortgaged property can qualify, but conditions apply. Dubai has generally required either that the buyer's paid equity meets the threshold or that a bank letter confirms the position, with rules evolving over time — at various points a minimum paid-in amount was specified. The property's registered value must still be at least AED 2 million. Obtain a no-objection or liability letter from the lender and confirm the current equity requirement with the DLD before applying, as the criteria are periodically updated.

Yes. Dubai permits combining the value of more than one owned property to reach the AED 2 million threshold, provided all are registered in the applicant's name. Jointly owned property between spouses can also count, typically with documentation such as a marriage certificate, and each spouse may apply where their attributable share meets the rules in force. As with all Golden Visa criteria, the treatment of combined and joint ownership is administrative practice that gets refined, so confirm current requirements before purchase.

A property-based Golden Visa holder can sponsor their spouse and children for residence matching the visa term, and may also sponsor domestic staff. Sponsorship of parents has its own criteria and should be verified case by case. Family members' visas are linked to the principal holder's status, so if the qualifying property is sold and the visa lapses, dependants' residence is affected too. For investors relocating with family, this sponsorship scope is one of the main practical advantages over standard employment visas.

No minimum stay is required in the way standard residence visas demand. A key feature of the Golden Visa is that it does not lapse if the holder remains outside the UAE for more than six months, which makes it well suited to overseas investors who visit periodically. The visa runs for ten years and is renewable while the qualifying conditions — principally continued ownership of property meeting the threshold — are still satisfied at renewal.