The UAE’s Golden Visa program has truly changed the game for investors and expats. It has shifted the way people look at property investment in the UAE and residency. What was once a short-term plan to live and work in Dubai can now be a long-term strategy for stability and growth.
For those looking to invest in property for a golden visa in the UAE, the link between real estate and long-term residency is now clearer than ever. The program has been updated to be more flexible, making it one of the most attractive residency-by-investment plans in the world.
If you are considering a property purchase, this guide will break down the golden visa requirements in the UAE in 2025.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa. It is not like the standard 2-year residency visa that is tied to an employer. The Golden Visa is issued for 10 years and is renewable. It allows foreigners to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a national sponsor.
This visa offers a new level of stability. For property investors, it means your home in Dubai can also be your path to long-term residency for you and your family.
Key benefits of the Golden Visa include:
- 10-Year Security: This is a major step up from previous visas, offering true long-term peace of mind.
- No Sponsor Needed: You are your own sponsor. Your visa is not tied to your job, which gives you complete freedom.
- Flexibility: You can stay outside the UAE for any length of time without your visa being cancelled. This is a huge benefit for global investors.
- Family Sponsorship: You can easily sponsor your spouse and children (with no age limit). You can also sponsor domestic staff.
- Safety Net: In the unfortunate event that the main visa holder passes away, their family can stay in the UAE until the visa’s expiry.
How to Get the Golden Visa Through Property Investment
This is the most direct path for most investors. The government has made the requirements simple and clear.
The key requirement for the UAE golden visa and property investment is:
A minimum property investment of AED 2 million (approximately $545,000 USD).
This is the one, clear number you need to remember. But the details of how you can use that AED 2 million are just as important.
Key Rules for Your AED 2 Million Investment
The golden visa requirements in the UAE in 2025 are very flexible. Here is what you need to know about your property.
The Property Value
The value of the property (or properties) must be at least AED 2 million. This can be:
- A single property worth AED 2 million or more.
- A portfolio of multiple properties that have a total value of AED 2 million or more.
This flexibility is a major advantage. You could buy one large family home in one of our residential communities or two separate apartments as investments.
Ready vs. Off-Plan Property (A Major Update)
This is one of the most important recent changes. Your AED 2 million investment can be in both ready and off-plan properties.
This means you can invest in property for a golden visa in the UAE by purchasing a home directly from a developer, like Ellington Properties, even before it is built. This allows you to get in at the launch price and benefit from a payment plan while still securing your 10-year visa.
To qualify with an off-plan property, you must buy from a developer that is approved by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Mortgaged vs. Cash Purchases
Your property can be purchased with a mortgage. You do not need to pay the full AED 2 million in cash.
However, there are rules:
- The property’s total value must be at least AED 2 million.
- If you take a mortgage, your minimum down payment (your own cash) must be at least AED 2 million.
- For example, if you buy a property for AED 5 million, you could get a mortgage for AED 3 million and pay AED 2 million in cash. That AED 2 million down payment would make you eligible.
- The mortgage must be from a specific, approved bank.
If you are buying an off-plan property, the developer’s payment plan is often a simpler path. But for a ready property, the mortgage option is very useful.
The Process
The process is very straightforward.
- Purchase Your Property: Complete your purchase of a qualifying property (or properties).
- Get Your Documents: You will need the Title Deed (for a ready property) or the Oqood (for an off-plan property) from the DLD.
- Submit Your Application: You apply for the Golden Visa through the Dubai Land Department’s “Cube” centre or online portals.
- Get Your Visa: Once your documents are verified, you will be granted the 10-year Golden Visa.
You can find a full list of requirements and step-by-step guides on the UAE government’s official portal.
Why This is a Game-Changer
The link between UAE golden visa and property investment is not just an immigration policy. It is a fundamental shift in how people can live and invest in Dubai.
It creates stability: Expats no longer have to worry about their visa every two years. They can plan their lives, set up businesses, and put their children in schools with a 10-year horizon.
It encourages quality investment: The AED 2 million threshold encourages investors to look at high-quality, design-led homes rather than just small, low-cost units. This benefits the entire market.
It makes Dubai a true ‘second home’: The visa allows people to truly put down roots. It changes the “expat” mindset to a “resident” mindset.
At Ellington Properties, we see this every day. Our buyers are not just looking for an asset. They are looking for a home. They are looking for the kind of quality and design that they will love living in for 10 years or more.
The Golden Visa makes that decision easier. It aligns the financial investment in a high-quality home with the lifestyle investment in a stable, long-term future in Dubai.
To find a property that meets both your lifestyle and your investment goals, you can explore our Dubai property for sale.
