All about real estate investor visas in the UAE
In 2019, the UAE launched Golden Visa to enable investors to apply for a long-term residency in the country. The implementation of this scheme, coupled with consistently high ROI and global appeal of the country’s property market, has proven to be a major draw in attracting real estate investors. Currently, there are two long-term visas for real estate investors. Want to apply for a UAE investor visa? We’ve compiled everything you need to know.
TYPES OF UAE REAL ESTATE VISA
Whether you want to buy a villa in Dubai or a flat, The Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the GDRFA offer property investor visa in the UAE under the Golden Visa.
With UAE Golden Visas in place, foreigners can work, live and study without needing a national sponsor. Let’s find out all about the investor visa UAE requirements.
PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA IN DUBAI VIA DLD
Dubai Land Department (DLD) offers three types of UAE property investor visas. We’ve rounded up all the details for potential investors, including requirements, fees, etc.
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. This visa allows you to sponsor your spouse, children and even your parents.
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 2 million AED 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 (ensure it has at least 6 months validity remaining).
- If you have a previous Emirates ID, include it 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.
Visa fees:
The total cost for the 10-year visa is AED 9,684.75. The price includes the following charges:
- Medical examination fee: AED 700
- UAE ID (10 years): AED 1,153
- Confirmation of residency permit (10 years): AED 2,656.75
- Land Department fee: AED 4,020
- Administrative fee: AED 1,155
A 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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 2 YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE
- The Taskeen Programme offers a two-year renewable residency visa for property investors. You must purchase a property valued at AED 750,000 or more to qualify.
- Off-plan and commercial properties are not included in this visa type.
- The main applicant can even sponsor their spouse and children under this visa.
- An electronic copy of the Title Deed certificate is mandatory.
- Investor will also submit a passport and a recent photo.
- If the property is financed by a mortgage, 50% of the property value or an amount equivalent to AED 750,000 must be paid upfront.
- A NOC letter by the bank is required for the visa process.
- Married couples can share a single property. They have to submit an attested marriage certificate as proof.
Visa fees: AED 9,912.50
5-Year Retirement Visa
This 5-year renewable real estate investor visa allows retirees to live comfortably in Dubai with their spouses and children (they need to 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.
UAE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR VISA VIA GDRFA
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) also offers property investor visa in the UAE. Let’s learn more about these visa types.
THE GDRFA 10-YEAR GOLDEN VISA
The UAE offers a special residency permit called the “Golden Visa” to foreign investors. It initially 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.
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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR GDRFA INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE
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 Investor 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:
- Residence permit fee: AED 1100
- 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 residency for spouses and children in Abu Dhabi.
- The visa holder also has the right to sponsor a domestic worker, given that they follow 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 understand 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 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 apart from their spouses and children with 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 other emirates.
- 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 for 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 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.
