Do You Get Residency If You Buy Property in Dubai?
Yes — buying property in Dubai can grant UAE residency. A AED 750,000+ purchase qualifies for a renewable 2-year investor visa, while AED 2,000,000+ unlocks the 10-year Golden Visa, including spouse and dependents. This guide breaks down both routes, the rules in 2025, total costs, and the application process.
Yes — property ownership grants UAE residency: Buying qualifying property in Dubai is one of the most popular routes to UAE residency. There are two tiers: a 2-year renewable investor visa for purchases from AED 750,000, and a 10-year Golden Visa for purchases from AED 2,000,000. Both visas can be sponsored to the spouse and dependent children, and the Golden Visa additionally covers parents.
The 2-year investor visa (AED 750,000+): Eligibility: a single completed property worth at least AED 750,000 owned outright, or with at least AED 750,000 of equity if mortgaged (the bank's NOC is required). The property must be residential and registered with the DLD. The visa is renewable as long as you continue to hold the property, and includes the right to sponsor spouse and children.
The 10-year Golden Visa (AED 2,000,000+): Eligibility: residential property worth AED 2,000,000+, which can be a single property or combined portfolio, ready or off-plan (50% paid minimum), cash or mortgage (provided your equity ≥ AED 2M). Includes the owner, spouse, children of any age, and parents. Renewable for another 10 years on the same property. No minimum stay requirement in the UAE.
Costs of obtaining the visa: Investor visa: ~AED 3,800–5,000 total (visa fee + medical + Emirates ID + typing). Golden Visa: ~AED 4,000–10,000 depending on whether you apply directly via DLD or through a service provider. Family member visas add ~AED 5,000 per person. These are one-off costs paid at application; the visa itself has no annual fee.
Required documents: Original title deed in your name, passport copy (6+ months validity), passport-size photo (white background), proof of address (Ejari or utility bill), medical fitness certificate, and — for mortgaged properties — an NOC from the lender confirming your equity. For family sponsorship: marriage certificate (attested) and children's birth certificates (attested).
What the visa does NOT do: Property residency does not grant UAE citizenship, does not give you the right to vote, and does not exempt you from the standard residency rules if you spend long periods outside the UAE (the 10-year Golden Visa has no minimum stay, but the 2-year investor visa is cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for 6+ consecutive months).
Do you get residency if you buy property in Dubai? Yes. A property purchase of AED 750,000+ grants a 2-year renewable investor visa, and AED 2,000,000+ grants a 10-year Golden Visa covering the owner, spouse, children, and parents.
Can I get the Golden Visa with an off-plan property? Yes — provided at least 50% of the AED 2,000,000+ purchase price has been paid to the developer and the project is registered with the DLD.
Can I get residency if my Dubai property is mortgaged? Yes, as long as your equity in the property meets the visa threshold (AED 750k for investor visa, AED 2M for Golden Visa). The bank must issue an NOC confirming the equity figure.
Does the property visa cover my family? Yes. Both the investor visa and Golden Visa allow you to sponsor your spouse and children. The Golden Visa additionally covers parents and has no age cap on children.
What happens to my visa if I sell the property? The visa is cancelled when the property is sold or transferred, unless you replace it with another qualifying property of equal or higher value within the same DLD record.
Is there a minimum stay requirement to keep the visa? The 10-year Golden Visa has no minimum stay requirement. The 2-year investor visa is cancelled automatically if the holder stays outside the UAE for 6+ consecutive months.
Last reviewed 2025-05-25 by PropertyConnect Editorial.
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