Complete guide to real estate investor visas in the UAE

• 2 Year UAE Investor Visa
• 5-Year Retirement Visa
• 10-Year UAE Property Investor Visa
• 5-Year Real Estate Visa in Abu Dhabi
• FAQs

The UAE government launched the Golden Visa in 2019 to attract investors to apply for long-term residency within the country. This scheme has recently undergone significant changes to make the property market more attractive. Recently, to further promote investment, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has removed the previous minimum property value threshold for property owners. So if you’re planning to get mid to long-term residency, here is our detailed guide to the UAE real estate investor visa, its eligibility criteria, paperwork and more. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF UAE REAL ESTATE VISA

Whether you wish to buy a villa in Dubai or a flat, the Dubai Land Department and the GDRFA offer different types of property investor visas in the UAE under the long-term residency scheme. 

As of April 2026, Dubai has further eased requirements and removed the minimum property value threshold for sole owners and unified residency services under a single digital system. With the UAE Golden Visa in place, foreigners who own property here can work, live and study without requiring a national sponsor. 

This integration unifies “Golden Residency”, Retiree Residency” and “Property Residency” services and it will allow for a faster, hassle-free process through a single digital channel. 

Dubai Land Department (DLD) offers three types of UAE property investor visas. Here are the various real estate investor visa UAE requirements and types:

THE 2-YEAR INVESTOR VISA UAE

Real estate investors can also apply for a 2-year residence visa in the UAE under the Taskeen Programme by the Dubai Land Department, provided they follow the conditions set for this type of visa.

In April 2026 the Dubai government has eased the requirements for the UAE’s 2-year real estate investor residency visa. The new regulation broadens access to property investors. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR 2-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA UAE

• One of the major changes is the reduction in the minimum value for a sole owner. The previous threshold of AED 750,000 has been scrapped.
• Under the new rule, if you’re the sole owner of a property, you’re exempt from the minimum property value requirement. 
• Alternatively, for jointly owned properties, the minimum investment is AED 400,000 per investor. 
• The rule applies to complete residential properties and does not include off-plan and commercial properties.
• The main visa applicant can sponsor their spouse and children.
• Bank NOC for mortgages may be required for the visa process.

2-YEAR INVESTOR VISA FEE DUBAI

• 2-Year New Property Investor Visa Dubai: AED 10,545
• 2-Year Property Investor Visa Renewal (2-year licence): AED 8,215
• 2-Year Property Investor Visa Cancellation: AED 1,239

5-YEAR RETIREMENT VISA (PROPERTY-LINKED OPTION)

This visa is designed for retirees who want to live in the UAE long-term. Property ownership is one of the primary qualifying routes. This 5-year renewable real estate investor visa allows retirees to live comfortably in Dubai with their spouses and children (who must be unmarried).

Here are the conditions for this type of UAE investor visa.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 5-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE

• This type of visa has four options for applicants.
• The first option requires the applicant to have a sustainable income of at least AED 180,000 per year or AED 15,000 per month.
• The second option is to have AED 1 million in savings in a 3-year fixed deposit.
• The third option is to invest in a property mortgage or unmortgage amounting to AED 1 million.
• The fourth option is to use a combination of sustainable income, a 3-year fixed deposit and property worth AED 500,000 each.
• The age requirement is 55 years and above
• To apply from Dubai, the annual fixed income must be at least AED 240,000 (sourced from within or outside the UAE). 

5-YEAR RETIREMENT VISA FEES

• 5-year New Retirement Visa: AED 7,084.75
• 5-year Retirement Visa Renewal: AED 6,519.75
• 5-year Retirement Visa Cancellation: AED 190.75

10 Year Golden Visa

To get the DLD 10-year property investor visa in Dubai, you must invest at least AED 2 million in real estate. It includes a UAE residency permit for the investor and their families for up to 10 years. The best part? The visa is renewable for another 10 years if the investment requirements are met. 

Another way to apply for the same visa is through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) property investor programme. The GDRFA visa programme initially focused on property investment but has expanded to include business setup and other investment options. Here are the eligibility requirements for each category.

You can still qualify even if you have a mortgage on the property. Just provide a bank letter confirming you’ve paid AED 2 million towards the purchase price.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 10-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE

• The property must be worth at least AED 2 million and wholly owned by the investor.
• If the property has a mortgage, the NOC from the bank must confirm that they have no objection to the visa being issued for this property. This letter should also mention the paid and outstanding amount.
• The amount invested can be mortgaged from local banks in the UAE.
• If married, the couple can share a single property; however, a marriage certificate is mandatory.
• The investor is required to retain the property for at least 2 years.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A 10-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE

• The property must be located in Dubai and have a minimum value of AED 2 million as stated on the title deed (title deeds from other emirates and DIFCA are not accepted).
• A clear copy of your valid passport (the passport must have a validity of at least 6-months).
• The previous Emirates ID must be included in the application.
• High-quality digital photo that meets the specifications set by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
• Citizens from Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan must also submit a copy of their national ID.
• Valid health insurance from any UAE-based insurance company.

10-YEAR GOLDEN VISA FEES

• 10-year Property Investor Golden Visa: AED 9,984.75
• 10-Year Property Investor Golden Visa Renewal cost: AED 9,519.75
• 10-year Property Investor Golden Visa cancellation cost: 190.75

INVESTOR/PARTNER REQUIREMENTS

• Passport copy
• Trade license with a list of partners (partners’ appendix)
• Financial report of your company (or companies) for the past year
• Certificate from the free zone detailing your financial information (if applicable)
• Bank statements for your company covering the last 6 months
• Registration document from the Federal Tax Authority confirming annual transactions exceeding 100,000 AED
• Proof of property ownership (if applicable)

DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS

• Passport copy
• Proof of ownership for a minimum deposit of AED 2 million in a UAE bank. This can be in the form of investment bonds or sukuk.
• Proof of residency in Dubai

REAL ESTATE INVESTOR REQUIREMENTS

• Passport copy.
• Proof of ownership for one or more properties with a combined value exceeding AED 2 million.

TAX COLLECTION INVESTOR REQUIREMENTS

• Passport copy.
• A letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming your partnership with one or more companies that pay taxes to the government, with your annual tax contribution exceeding AED 250,000.
• Trade license with a list of partners (partners’ appendix).

VISA FEES (GDFRA REAL ESTATE AND OTHER BUSINESSES)

• Residence permit fee: AED 1,100
• Work Visa Fee: AED 200

In addition to the value-added tax (5%).
Additional fees (if the sponsored person is inside the country):

• Knowledge fee: AED 10
• Innovation fee: AED 10
• Fee inside the country: AED 500
• Delivery charges: AED 20

Please note that the issuance fee increases by AED 100 annually whenever the residency is over two years.

5-YEAR REAL ESTATE VISA IN ABU DHABI

Real estate investors can also apply for a five-year visa in Abu Dhabi. However, the conditions for that differ from those for the other emirates.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A 5-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA IN ABU DHABI

• Investors must invest in a property worth no less than AED 2 million
• If they have mortgaged properties, they must have at least a minimum cash of AED 2 million to apply for this visa.
• They must retain investments for at least two years after getting a visa.
• The real estate investor visa allows spouses and children to reside in Abu Dhabi.
• The visa holder also has the right to sponsor a domestic worker, provided they comply with the relevant rules and regulations.
• Real estate investors must show their investment profile (single/aggregate) or proof of property worth at least AED 2 million.
• Investors must also provide proof of mortgage status (Mortgaged or released).

Want to know more about the procedure, requirements and conditions to apply for this type of visa? Check our guide to the Abu Dhabi investor visa process. You can also check out apartments for sale in Abu Dhabi to get a sense of the price range.

FAQs ABOUT UAE INVESTOR VISA

HOW TO GET AN INVESTOR VISA IN DUBAI?

Getting an investor visa in the UAE depends on documentation, cost and application format. Aside from a 2-year investor visa, you can now apply for a 5 or 10-year residency. Check out our guide to the Dubai investor visa to learn more about its requirements.

WHAT IS A DUBAI BUSINESS GOLD VISA?

The Business Gold Visa is a gateway for global entrepreneurs who intend to set up businesses in the UAE. Under this visa, business magnates worldwide can get a long-term visa for themselves and their dependents. It is one of the special types of visas in Dubai.

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS THAT APPLY FOR A UAE GOLD BUSINESS VISA?

• You must have sufficient entrepreneurial experience.
• You must be a shareholder of a start-up or a senior role in a company.
• You must consider relocating to the UAE and setting up a business there.
• You must have a tangible business idea to bring to life in the country.

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OR REQUISITES TO APPLY FOR A 5-YEAR BUSINESS VISA IN DUBAI?

There are other 5-year Dubai multiple visas that you can apply for and get residency in the UAE with various conditions, such as:

• Entrepreneurs must have an existing project with a capital amount of AED 500,000 to apply for this visa.
• Investors can only use a multi-entry visa for six months. After the term expires, they can renew their visa for another six months.
• The entrepreneurs can include a partner and three executives, along with their spouses and children, under this visa.

WHAT ARE THE INVESTOR VISA DUBAI BENEFITS?

The key benefits of investing in Dubai are as follows:

• You can reside freely in the country.
• You can open a bank account in Dubai or another emirate.
• You can obtain a driving licence in Dubai.
• You can teach in schools in Dubai.

That concludes our guide on the property investor visa in the UAE. Similar to investor visas, residence visas ensure a long-term stay in the country. If you already have one, check the validity of your UAE investor visa. Here is how to check your visa status. If you have stayed beyond the last day of your visa, here is how you can check the overstay fine in the UAE.

If you are looking for more investment options, consider any of these bankable areas in Dubai. But before investing, learn more about buying property in Dubai.