Residence Permits in Dubai Through Real Estate Investment: Everything You Need to Know

Dubai continues to be one of the most attractive destinations globally for real-estate investment — not only because of its world-class infrastructure and tax-friendly environment, but also because foreign investors can secure residence permits via property ownership. This article outlines the two main investment-linked residence routes in Dubai, details their requirements, explains how each works and highlights recent regulatory enhancements from the UAE government.

There are two principal residence-permit options in Dubai for real-estate investors:

1. Golden Visa – Minimum AED 2,000,000 Investment

• Purchase of properties totalling at least AED 2 million (one or multiple properties) qualifies for the 10-year residence permit (Golden Visa).
• Properties may be ready to move in or under construction. For under-construction projects, it is sufficient that approved escrow mechanisms are in place; some major developers have arrangements and exceptions for earlier-stage construction.
• The Golden Visa route allows non-UAE nationals to continue residing without the traditional six-month entry-rule. Envoy Global, Inc+2Sobha Realty+2
• The investor may sponsor spouse, children (under 18), and in many cases unmarried sons up to age 25 and all unmarried daughters of any age. Global Citizen Solutions+1

2. Standard Residence Permit – Minimum AED 750,000 Investment

• A real-estate purchase of at least AED 750,000 qualifies for the renewable 2-year residence permit.
• The property must be fully paid before applying (installments not accepted for this threshold).
• If the investor does not already have an Emirates ID, the property must be ready to move in; if the investor already has an Emirates ID, under-construction projects may qualify.
• Holders must generally enter the UAE every six months to renew/maintain the permit.

• These investment-routes give foreign nationals long-term residence in Dubai — enabling access to UAE schooling, healthcare, and lifestyle advantages.
• UAE offers a tax-friendly environment: no personal income tax and favourable conditions for investors.
• The Golden Visa route particularly offers freedom: holders are less constrained by physical-stay requirements in the UAE.

The UAE government has introduced new support measures and categories to strengthen the long-term residency ecosystem:

• The Golden Visa programme has expanded to include additional categories, such as “financial supporters of humanitarian work”. The Economic Times
• For Golden Visa holders travelling abroad, the UAE now offers enhanced overseas consular support, including a streamlined online Return Document for lost/damaged passports and 24/7 support hotlines. The Economic Times
• The flexibility of staying outside the UAE for extended periods without invalidating the Golden Visa has been emphasised by legal and immigration advisories. Get Golden Visa+1

These updates reinforce the attractiveness of the Golden Visa path and provide additional peace of mind for investors and their families.

• Ownership: The property investment must be in the applicant’s name (or jointly approved scenario) and meet the relevant investment threshold.
• Payment: For the AED 750,000 route, the full property amount must be paid before applying.
• Construction status: For the AED 2 m Golden Visa, under-construction projects may qualify if escrow and developer criteria are satisfied; this is cleared by relevant government authorities rather than developer discretion alone.
• Stay/entry requirements: Standard residence permit holders (AED 750k route) must enter the UAE at least every six months; Golden Visa route generally removes this requirement.
• Family sponsorship: Conditions apply, particularly age and marital status of dependents (e.g., unmarried sons up to 25 years, unmarried daughters any age under Golden Visa).
• Real-estate market: Although investment is asset-backed, market dynamics, rental yields, exit strategies and developer credibility should always be assessed.
• Residency ≠ citizenship: The residence permit enables long-term residency, but does not automatically grant UAE citizenship.

If you are considering property investment in Dubai with residency in mind, these are the two major routes:

• Golden Visa – AED 2 m investment: 10-year renewable permit, greater freedom of stay outside UAE, strong sponsorship rights.
• Standard Residence Permit – AED 750k investment: 2-year renewable permit, but requires full payment, ready property (if no Emirates ID yet) and six-monthly entry requirement.

Recent regulatory enhancements make the Golden Visa even more robust and appealing for overseas investors seeking long-term residence and asset investment in one package.

If you’d like assistance identifying suitable properties or understanding how best to align your investment with residency criteria, we can provide support and guide you accordingly.