United Arab Emirates: Eligibility Conditions Relaxed for Real Estate Investor Golden Visa
February 22, 2024

Eligibility conditions have been relaxed for foreign national investors in Dubai seeking to obtain long-term residency through the Real Estate Investor category. Applicants are no longer required to pay a minimum down payment of AED 1,000,000 (approximately USD 272,295) on their investment property. However, for mortgaged properties, applicants must obtain a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank confirming that a down payment of any amount has been made. Applicants should note, however, that to be eligible for the visa, the investment property value requirement continues to be at least AED 2,000,000. The government has also eliminated the rule requiring applicants who were buying off-plan properties (where construction has not yet been completed and which is usually sold at a discounted rate) to be at least 50% completed prior to submitting their application. Instead, investors only need to obtain a NOC for their application from the developer, serving as confirmation of payment towards the off-plan property. Further, applicants buying completed properties can now use market value property valuation to meet the AED 2,000,000 requirement for the visa; previously, only the value of the Title Deed issued by the Dubai Land Department could be used to meet the requirement. These changes will make it more accessible for investors to participate in the real estate market.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al-Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.

Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Mark Buchanan says governments across Asia-Pacific are tightening visa rules while supporting key industries vital to economic growth.

Media mentions
Frankfurt Managing Partner Axel Boysen is recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Germany.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline the impact of new visa skill requirements and sponsorship rules on UK construction firms.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.

Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.

Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al-Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.

Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.

Media mentions

Media mentions
Partner Mark Buchanan says governments across Asia-Pacific are tightening visa rules while supporting key industries vital to economic growth.

Media mentions
Frankfurt Managing Partner Axel Boysen is recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Germany.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline the impact of new visa skill requirements and sponsorship rules on UK construction firms.