The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and invest in the United Arab Emirates for 5 or 10 years. It is designed for real estate investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, scientists, and highly qualified professionals.

Golden Visa holders gain the right to legally reside in the UAE, conduct business activities, open local bank accounts, and benefit from the country’s favorable tax environment.
This guide explains who can apply, how the program works, and how to obtain residency through real estate investment.

Professional Consultation and Visa Support

If you are considering relocating to the UAE or investing in property, our team can assist you at every stage.
We offer online consultations at a convenient time, explain residency options in detail, answer your questions, and provide reference materials along with a preliminary cost estimate for visa processing.

UAE Golden Visa vs Standard Property Residency

Foreign nationals can obtain a standard UAE residency visa by purchasing property valued at USD 205,000 or more. This option grants basic resident rights and requires regular renewals.

However, the Golden Visa offers significantly broader advantages:

• long-term residency for 10 years from the start;
• the ability to sell the property before the visa expires;
• preservation of residency status after selling and reinvesting;
• greater flexibility for long-term financial and lifestyle planning.

With a Golden Visa obtained through real estate investment, the property may be sold after three years, while residency remains valid until the end of the 10-year period.

Who Is Eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?

The program does not impose restrictions on the applicant’s age or country of citizenship. Eligible categories include:

• Real estate investors purchasing property worth at least AED 2 million (approximately USD 545,000);
• Entrepreneurs with a minimum share capital of AED 500,000;
• Business owners whose companies are approved by UAE-accredited business incubators;
• Outstanding scientists, researchers, and high-performing students.

Once the Golden Visa expires, it can be renewed, provided the original eligibility criteria are still met—such as continued ownership of property or active business operations.

Types of UAE Golden Visas

10-Year Golden Visa for Property Owners

The most popular option is the 10-year Golden Visa based on real estate investment. Key requirements include:

• minimum property value of AED 2 million;
• the investment must be made using personal funds (mortgage financing is not allowed);
• the property must be completed and ready for use;
• the property may be sold after three years.

Family members eligible for residency under the same visa include:

• spouse;
• parents;
• unmarried daughters (no age limit);
• sons up to the age of 25.

Since October 2022, property buyers investing AED 2 million or more automatically qualify for a 10-year visa, whereas previously similar investments granted only 5-year residency.

Alternative Option: 2-Year Property Residency Visa

The most affordable residency route for property owners in Dubai is a 2-year renewable residency visa. It is available when purchasing real estate valued at AED 750,000 or more (approximately USD 205,000).

This visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times as long as the property remains in the investor’s ownership. However, it does not provide the same long-term stability and flexibility as the Golden Visa.

Conclusion

The UAE Golden Visa is an optimal solution for those who view the Emirates as a long-term base for living, investing, or doing business. For real estate investors, it offers maximum residency security, flexibility in asset management, and residency rights for the entire family.