UAE off-plan glossary
Golden Visa
A 10-year renewable UAE residency granted to qualifying property investors, professionals and entrepreneurs.
The Golden Visa is a long-term (5 or 10 years) UAE residency permit. For property investors the threshold is currently AED 2 million in real estate (mortgage acceptable), as long as the property value clears the threshold. Off-plan property qualifies if the unit value meets the threshold and the buyer has paid a sufficient down-payment. The visa covers spouse and children, can sponsor staff, and does not require continuous UAE residence.
FAQ
How much property do I need to qualify for the UAE Golden Visa?
AED 2,000,000 of UAE real estate, held by the individual investor. Joint ownership is allowed pro-rata. Mortgages are allowed as long as your equity share clears AED 2M.
How much does the UAE Golden Visa cost?
Application fees total roughly AED 2,800–3,800 (plus medical, Emirates ID and document attestation). This is the visa cost itself — the AED 2M property purchase is the qualifying investment, not a fee.
How long does the Golden Visa take to process?
Typically 2–6 weeks from application to issuance, assuming all documents (title deed/Oqood, valuation, medical, Emirates ID, no objection letters) are in order.
What are the benefits of the UAE Golden Visa?
10-year renewable residency without an employer sponsor, sponsorship of spouse and children, ability to sponsor domestic staff, no minimum-stay requirement, and a smoother path to long-term banking and business services.
Does off-plan property count for the Golden Visa?
Yes — off-plan qualifies as long as the project is DLD-registered, you have a registered Oqood, and your share of the property is at least AED 2M. See our /dubai/golden-visa-property page for a live list.