In 2019, the UAE introduced Golden Visa, which allows investors to seek for long-term residency in this country. The introduction of this program, together with the constantly strong ROI and worldwide attractiveness of the country’s property market, has proven to be a key attraction for real estate investors. There are now two long-term visas available for real estate investors. Want to apply for a UAE investor visa? We’ve assembled all of the information you’ll need.
UAE REAL ESTATE VISA TYPES
Whether you wish to buy a home in Dubai or an apartment, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the GDRFA provide investor property visas in the UAE through the Golden Visa.
With UAE Golden Visas, foreigners can work, reside, and study without the need for a national sponsor. Let’s learn more about the prerequisites for an investment visa in the UAE.
PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA IN DUBAI VIA DLD.
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) provides three types of UAE investor visas. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of criteria, fees, and other information for potential investors.
10 YEAR GOLDEN VISA
To obtain a DLD 10-year property investor visa in Dubai, you must invest at least AED 2 million in real estate. This visa lets you sponsor your spouse, children, and even your parents.
You might still be eligible even if you have a mortgage on the property. Simply supply a bank document stating that you have paid AED 2 million towards the buying price.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A 10-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE
- The property must be worth at least 2 million AED and owned entirely by the investor.
- If the property has a mortgage, the bank’s NOC must certify that they do not oppose to the visa being provided for this property. This letter should also include the paid and outstanding amounts.
- The sum invested can be mortgaged with local banks in the UAE.
- If married, the pair may share a single property; nevertheless, a marriage certificate is required.
- The investor is expected to keep the property for at least two years.
Documents are required for a 10-year investor visa in the UAE.
- The property must be in Dubai and worth at least AED 2 million, as indicated on the title deed (title documents from other emirates and DIFCA are not acceptable).
- A clean copy of your valid passport (with at least 6 months validity left).
- If you have a previous Emirates ID, provide it with your application.
A high-quality digital picture that fulfills the requirements stipulated by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. - Citizens of Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan must additionally provide a copy of their national ID.
- Valid health insurance from any UAE-based insurance provider.
Visa Fees:
The total cost of the 10-year visa is AED 9,684.75. The prices include 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 two-year resident visa in the UAE under the Dubai Land Department’s Taskeen Programme, assuming they meet the eligibility requirements.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A 2-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE
- The Taskeen Programme provides property investors with a two-year renewable resident permit. To qualify, you must acquire a home worth at least AED 750,000.
- This visa category does not cover off-plan or commercial properties.
- The primary candidate may even sponsor their spouse and children under this visa.
- An electronic copy of the Title Deed Certificate is required.
- The investor will also provide a passport and a current picture.
- If the property is financed with a mortgage, 50% of the value, or AED 750,000, must be paid up advance.
- The bank’s NOC letter is necessary for the visa application procedure.
- Married couples may share a single property. They must produce an authenticated 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 comfortably reside in Dubai with their wives and children (who must be unmarried).
The following are the prerequisites for this sort of UAE investment visa:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A 5-YEAR INVESTOR VISA IN THE UAE
- This sort of visa gives applicants four possibilities.
- The first option requires the applicant to have a steady income of at least AED 180,000 per year, or AED 15,000 per month.
- The second alternative is to save AED 1 million in a three-year fixed deposit.
- The third option is to invest in a home mortgage or unmortgage of AED 1 million.
- The fourth alternative is to combine steady income, a three-year fixed deposit, and property worth AED 500,000 apiece.
UAE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR VISA WITH GDRFA
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) also provides a property investment visa in the UAE. Let us understand more about these visa categories.
THE GDRFA 10 YEAR GOLDEN VISA
Foreign investors can apply for a special residency permit known as the “Golden Visa” in the UAE. It originally offers a 10-year UAE resident visa for the investor and their family. What is the best part? If the investment conditions are satisfied, the visa is renewable for an additional ten years.
The GDRFA visa scheme began with an emphasis on property investment but has now grown to encompass business formation and other investment opportunities. Below are the eligibility conditions for each category.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR GDRFA INVESTOR VISA IN 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 get a five-year visa in Abu Dhabi. However, the conditions differ from those of the other emirates.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A 5-YEAR PROPERTY INVESTOR VISA IN ABU DHABI
- Investors must invest in a property valued at least AED2 million.
- If they have mortgaged properties, they must have at least AED 2 million in cash when applying for this visa.
- They must keep their assets for at least two years after obtaining a visa.
- The real estate investor visa permits spouses and children to stay in Abu Dhabi.
- The visa holder has the right to sponsor a domestic worker as long as they follow the appropriate laws and regulations.
- Real estate investors must provide an investment profile (single/aggregate) or evidence of property worth at least AED 2 million.
- Investors must additionally show documentation of mortgage status (mortgaged or freed).
