Dubai has abolished the minimum property value requirement for obtaining a two-year investor residency visa. Previously, buyers were required to own a property worth at least 750,000 dirhams, or approximately $204,000.
The new rules apply to the two-year renewable visa for property owners, which is processed through the Dubai Land Department and its Cube Centre. Now, an individual owner can apply for such a residence visa regardless of the property’s value, provided the property is registered in their name and all other documentation requirements are met.
For joint ownership, the minimum threshold remains, but in a different form: each co-owner must hold a share worth at least 400,000 dirhams. This means that the relaxation is primarily intended for buyers who register the property under a single owner.
Removing the threshold makes residency status more accessible to buyers of small apartments and studios, which previously might not have met the minimum value requirement. For Dubai’s real estate market, this could boost demand in more affordable segments, especially among foreigners who view a purchase not only as an investment but also as a way to obtain legal residency status in the UAE.
However, this change does not apply to the 10-year Golden Visa. For the “Golden Visa” obtained through real estate, a separate investment threshold remains in effect—typically starting at 2 million dirhams. Therefore, the new measure specifically broadens the entry point into the residency market but does not replace long-term programs for major investors.
For buyers, what remains important is not only the fact of owning real estate, but also the legal soundness of the property, registration of ownership rights, compliance with Dubai Land Department requirements, and the willingness to cover associated costs for visa processing, Emirates ID, and health insurance.
Dubai remains one of the most active real estate markets in the Middle East. Demand is supported by the influx of foreign residents, growth in business activity, the UAE’s tax appeal, and its developed infrastructure. The removal of the minimum threshold for a two-year residency permit may further expand the pool of buyers for whom purchasing real estate in the emirate becomes a way not only to invest but also to establish a foothold in the country.
