From 2021 through the first quarter of 2026, Dubai has issued over 167,000 long-term Golden Visas to family members of skilled professionals, according to data from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).
According to GDRFA Dubai, a total of 167,124 residence permits were issued to families of specialized talent during this period. Another 100,286 residency permits were issued to families of real estate investors, 70,247 to family members of scientists and specialized experts, 37,022 to relatives of major investors, and 3,259 to families of foreign retirees. In addition, thousands of additional visas were issued to relatives of entrepreneurs, outstanding students, and figures in the humanities.
Statistics show that family relocation is becoming one of the key areas of Dubai’s migration policy. The emirate is focusing not only on attracting individual specialists, investors, and entrepreneurs, but also on securing their families’ long-term presence in the country. According to local authorities, the increase in the number of family residence permits reflects foreigners’ confidence in Dubai’s social infrastructure, education, healthcare, and digital government services.
Based on the structure of issued permits, the most active groups of foreigners in this segment remain skilled professionals and their families, real estate investors, scientists and experts, as well as major investors. A separate large category is specifically linked to the real estate market: over 100,000 residence permits for families of real estate investors indicate that home purchases remain one of the key channels for long-term relocation to Dubai.
By nationality, the official statistics from the GDRFA Dubai do not disclose the distribution of family Golden Visas in the published data. However, the demographic structure of the UAE as a whole remains predominantly expat-driven: foreigners account for about 88.5% of the country’s population, and the largest communities are traditionally represented by people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Iran, Egypt, and other countries in the region and Asia.
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa that allows foreign talent, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, professionals, students, and other categories to live, work, or study in the country.
For Dubai, the program has become a tool for competing for capital and human resources, as well as a way to retain wealthy and highly sought-after foreign nationals along with their families.
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.
The DFM Real Estate Index (DFMREI), which reflects the dynamics of real estate companies’ shares on the Dubai Financial Market, fell by 4.71% to 13,359.61 points on Monday, March 9, reaching a daily low of 13,353.18 points, according to exchange statistics.
Over the last five trading sessions, the index has fallen by about 17%, which is close to estimates on social media of “about 20%,” but according to aggregated market data, the decline is actually about 17%.
At the same time, the Dubai market’s broad index (DFMGI) continued to decline amid the US and Israel’s war with Iran and growing nervousness over risks to logistics and infrastructure.
Against the backdrop of the UAE’s deteriorating perception as a “safe haven,” some wealthy clients are already considering moving their assets from Dubai to other financial centers. A number of wealthy Asian clients have made inquiries or taken steps to transfer funds to Singapore and Hong Kong, fearing a protracted conflict and rising risk premiums.
At the same time, market participants surveyed by Reuters emphasize that DFMREI is an exchange indicator (shares of developers and related companies) and can react much faster than the physical housing market, where price changes are recorded with a delay based on transaction data.
Dubai’s real estate market, which ended 2025 with record figures, may face a temporary slowdown in demand in early 2026 amid military escalation between the US, Israel, and Iran, but experts do not expect prices to collapse yet.
In 2025, real estate sales in Dubai were estimated at $187 billion, with more than 215,000 transactions. Investors from India, the UK, and Russia were identified as key buyer groups, while in early 2026, some investors took a wait-and-see approach.
Among the factors putting pressure on the market, analysts highlight reports of incidents in landmark locations and the impact of transport restrictions: temporary disruptions and closures of air hubs reduce the influx of foreign buyers and complicate transactions, especially in a segment that depends on quick visits and viewings.
At the same time, prior to the current escalation, price dynamics remained positive: according to REIDIN, in January 2026, the Dubai residential sales price index rose by 0.75% compared to the previous month and by 11.79% year-on-year, indicating continued inertial growth at the onset of the crisis.
Market participants admit the possibility of a “pause without a fall” scenario if the hot phase ends quickly, but warn that a protracted conflict could severely affect liquidity and lead to a more noticeable correction, primarily in the most sensitive segments and locations.
Construction has begun in Dubai on one of the world’s most unusual residential skyscrapers, the Muraba Veil tower, which will be approximately 380 m high and only about 22.5 m wide, meaning that it will essentially be a single apartment along the facade. The project is being implemented by the developer Muraba in collaboration with the Spanish firm RCR Arquitectes, winner of the 2017 Pritzker Prize. The tower will be a 73-story residential building with 131 luxury apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms, each occupying the entire width of the floor and offering panoramic views of Dubai and the canal.
The main visual motif of Muraba Veil is a metal “veil.” The facade will be wrapped in a translucent shell of perforated stainless steel that filters sunlight and reflects the changing color of the sky throughout the day. According to the architects’ concept, this is a modern interpretation of the traditional Arabic mashrabiya lattice, which provides both privacy and natural shading.
The layouts are inspired by the typology of the classic Arab house: from the outer layer with bedrooms and terraces, the space gradually transitions to a cooler “inner core” where common areas and landscaped courtyard oases are located. This allows for a natural reduction in temperature and less strain on air conditioning systems.
Muraba Veil is being built next to Sheikh Zayed Road and faces the Dubai Water Canal, in one of the city’s few truly pedestrian-friendly areas, with promenades, running and cycling paths, cafes, and quick access to Kite Beach.
The project will be the fifth joint venture between Muraba and RCR Arquitectes and is scheduled for completion by December 2028. The starting price for apartments in Muraba Veil is announced at 18 million dirhams (about $4.9 million), which automatically places the project in the super-premium housing segment and secures its status as one of the most expensive addresses in the emirate.
Muraba Veil fits into Dubai’s long-term strategy to strengthen its status as a world leader in high-rise and landmark construction. The city already boasts the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the recently announced second tallest skyscraper, the Burj Azizi; Dubai also has the highest concentration of towers over 300 meters in the world.
Dubai authorities are again talking about launching a flying cab service. It is expected that such transport will work by 2026.
Talks about flying cabs have been going on in the UAE commercial capital famous for its architectural wonders since 2017, a number of companies intend to participate in the implementation of the project.
The head of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, recently announced the relaunch of a program to develop flying cabs. This time, in a commercial, Dubai introduced an electric flying cab created by Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California.
Previously, the EHang 184 and XPeng X2 made in China, as well as an electric Volocopter from Germany, were also shown in Dubai.
According to Ahmed Bahrozian of the emirate’s Roads and Transportation Authority, implementation of the plan “is still just beginning.” “We have not yet signed a contract with any partner,” he specified.
According to the published program, the city plans to create four “vertiports”: near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest, near downtown Dubai, the Palm Jumeirah Archipelago and Dubai Marina. These points will include two launch pads and four charging points for flying cabs.
“We believe that these are attractive areas with business and tourist price-tracks that can be in demand,” Bahrozian noted.
According to him, the prices for flying cabs “will be the same as limousines in Dubai, maybe a little higher. Right now, limousines cost about 30 percent more than a regular cab, with a minimum cost of about $3.25 or $0.50 per kilometer.
According to the plan, manned flying cabs would be used first, rather than autonomous cabs as previously discussed. However, Bahrozian clarified that testing will continue with autonomous flying cabs as well.
Joby’s manned prototype with four passenger seats can fly more than 240 kilometers without recharging, making Abu Dhabi and other parts of the country within reach. It takes off and lands vertically, and its rotors tilt forward in flight. The machine has a top speed of 320 km/h.
The advent of flying cabs is expected to ease the traffic situation in the nearly 3.5 million-strong city, which has more than 1.8 million registered cars sharing the highway with cars from the other six UAE emirates.
