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

FAQs

The UAE offers residency options for property investors looking to live in the country. Getting a real estate investor visa in the UAE allows eligible property owners to secure residency based on their investment. By applying through the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) Cube portal, investors can access related services, including visa applications, medical tests, Emirates ID applications and health insurance. If you are planning to invest in UAE property, this guide covers the available visa options, eligibility criteria, required documents and other important details.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF UAE REAL ESTATE VISA

Whether you wish to buy a flat or villa in Dubai, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has further streamlined the residency visa process for property investors. The government has removed the minimum property value threshold for sole owners and brought services under a single digital system via the dedicated portal, DLD Cube. 

This integration combines Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency services. It helps applicants complete the process more efficiently through a single digital channel.

With the UAE Golden Visa, eligible foreign property owners can live, work and study in the UAE without requiring a national sponsor. Dubai Land Department (DLD) offers three types of UAE property investor visas. Here are the various real estate investor visa UAE requirements and types:

2-Year Property Investor Visa

5-Year Retiree Residency

10-Year Property Investor Golden Visa

THE 2-YEAR INVESTOR VISA UAE

The 2-year property investor visa allows eligible property owners to apply for residency in Dubai through DLD Cube. The service is available for investors who meet the required conditions set by the relevant authorities.

2-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To qualify for the 2-Year property investor visa in Dubai, applicants must meet the following requirements:

If you are the sole owner of a property in Dubai, there is no minimum property value requirement to apply for the 2-year residence visa, as the previous threshold of AED 750,000 has been scrapped.

In case of joint/multiple ownership, each applicant must own a share worth at least AED 400,000.

The applicant must own a completed property in Dubai. 

Properties registered in other emirates or the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are not accepted for this visa.

If the property is mortgaged or financed by a developer, additional documentation, such as a No Objection Certificate (NOC), a liability letter, or a payment statement, may be required.

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)

The 5-year Retirement Visa is designed for retirees aged 55 and above who wish to live in Dubai after retirement. Under the property-linked option on DLD Cube, eligible applicants can secure a renewable 5-year residence visa by owning qualifying property in Dubai. Retirement visa holders can also sponsor their unmarried children for the same duration as their residence visa.

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

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 5-YEAR RETIREMENT VISA IN THE UAE

Here are the requirements for the retiree visa in Dubai:

The applicant must be at least 55 years old.

The applicant must own property in Dubai valued at least AED 1 million, as stated on the title deed.

Properties registered in other emirates or within the DIFC are not accepted.

If the property’s value on the title deed is below AED 1 million but its current market value exceeds AED 1 million, the applicant may qualify by submitting an official property evaluation certificate.

For jointly owned properties, the applicant’s individual share must be worth at least AED 1 million.

If the property is jointly owned by a husband and wife, their ownership shares must be equal.

In case of unequal shares, the spouse holding the larger share can apply as the primary visa holder and sponsor the other spouse.

The applicant’s name on the title deed must match the name stated on their passport.

UAE health insurance is compulsory for residence permit applications.

The visa is valid for five years and can be renewed, provided the retiree continues to meet the eligibility criteria.

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

The 10-year Property Investor Golden Visa is designed for property owners who want long-term residency in Dubai. Eligible investors can obtain a renewable 10-year residence visa by meeting the required property investment criteria and may also sponsor eligible family members.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 10-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR GOLDEN VISA

Here are the conditions for the 10-year UAE property investor visa:

The applicant must own property in Dubai worth at least AED 2 million.

Multiple properties can be combined to meet the AED 2 million requirement.

For jointly owned properties, the applicant’s individual share must be worth at least AED 2 million.

Mortgaged or developer-financed properties may qualify, subject to the submission of the required supporting documents.

If the title deed value is below AED 2 million but the current market value exceeds AED 2 million, an official property valuation certificate may be required.

The applicant’s name on the title deed must match the name mentioned on the passport.

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

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR UAE INVESTOR VISA

The document requirements for the 2-Year Property Investor Visa, 5-Year Retiree Residency and 10-Year Property Investor Golden Visa are mostly similar. Applicants generally need to provide:

Dubai property title deed

Clear passport copy, valid for more than six months

Previous Emirates ID, if applicable

Recent digital photograph that meets ICP specifications

Valid UAE health insurance

National ID for applicants from Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan

Property evaluation certificate, where applicable

Additional documents may be required depending on the visa type and the applicant’s circumstances. For example, applicants with mortgaged or developer-financed properties may need to provide a bank NOC, a mortgage statement, or a developer payment statement. 

An attested and legally translated marriage certificate may also be required where a qualifying property is jointly owned by spouses. 

The 2-Year Property Investor Visa additionally requires a certificate of good conduct and behaviour issued by Dubai Police and addressed to the Dubai Land Department, while some visa categories may also require a copy of the applicant’s current UAE residence visa.

There are several opportunities to invest in off-plan properties in Dubai for a Golden Visa, such as Hado by Beyond Tower C, Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences and Avelia, The Vallery by Emaar.

FAQs

CAN I APPLY FOR A PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA FROM OUTSIDE THE UAE?

No. According to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) guidelines, applicants must be physically present in the UAE during the property investor residency application process.

CAN MULTIPLE PROPERTIES BE COMBINED FOR THE 10-YEAR GOLDEN VISA?

Yes. Applicants may use more than one property to meet the qualifying investment value, provided the combined value reaches the required threshold of AED 2 million and the properties are registered under the applicant’s name. If you’re looking for the most sought-after areas to buy properties in Dubai, then consider Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Living Legends, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), Jumeirah Golf Estates, International City and DAMAC Hills 2.

HOW LONG DOES THE 2-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA PROCESS TAKE?

According to DLD Cube, the process may take around 10 to 15 working days, provided the application is complete and receives the necessary approvals.

WHEN CAN I SUBMIT RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS?

Applications for eligible dependants can usually be submitted after the main property investor residence visa has been issued. Their residency period is generally linked to the duration of the sponsor’s visa.

That concludes our guide on the property investor visa in the UAE. Like investor visas, residence visas allow long-term stays in the country. Property investment can provide a practical pathway to UAE residency, whether an investor is seeking a shorter-term residence permit, planning to retire in Dubai, or looking for the long-term stability offered by the 10-year Golden Visa.

With services streamlined through DLD Cube, eligible investors can manage key stages of the residency process through a more integrated system. While requirements and fees vary between visa categories, applicants should ensure that their property ownership, documentation, health insurance and any additional supporting documents meet the applicable criteria before applying.