DUBAI – Dubai has revised eligibility rules for its two-year property-linked residency visa, removing the minimum investment threshold for sole property owners while easing conditions for jointly owned assets, in a move expected to widen access for foreign investors.
The updated rules, published through the Cube Centre affiliated with the Dubai Land Department, come as the emirate’s real estate market continues to post strong growth driven by premium residential demand and long-term investment activity.
Under the revised framework, individual investors are no longer required to own property worth at least Dh750,000 to qualify for the renewable residency permit, provided they are the sole owner of the property.
For jointly owned properties, each investor must now hold a minimum share value of Dh400,000 to remain eligible for the visa, even where ownership is equally divided.
The changes mark a shift from earlier regulations introduced under the UAE’s expanded residency system launched in 2019, which tied the two-year investor visa to a minimum real estate investment threshold.
Applicants are still required to submit title deeds for Dubai-based properties, valid passports, medical insurance and a certificate of good conduct issued by Dubai Police. Certain nationalities must also provide national identification documents.
For mortgaged or instalment-based properties, investors must provide a no-objection certificate from the bank or developer detailing payments made and outstanding balances. Completed properties additionally require proof that at least 50 percent of the property value, or Dh375,000, has already been paid.
The revised rules are expected to benefit mid-market investors and smaller property owners who previously fell below the old threshold, potentially broadening the investor base amid sustained demand for Dubai real estate.
Dubai’s property market has remained resilient despite regional geopolitical tensions, recording transactions worth Dh138.7 billion across 44,150 deals during the first quarter of 2026.
Market data showed transaction values rising 21.2 percent year-on-year, while deal volumes increased 4.35 percent, indicating stronger appetite for premium and higher-value homes.
Dubai’s off-plan sector continued to dominate activity, accounting for nearly 70 percent of transactions during the quarter as developers launched new projects targeting both overseas investors and end-users.
Analysts say the latest visa adjustments align with Dubai’s broader strategy to attract long-term residents, global wealth and institutional capital while supporting continued momentum in the emirate’s housing sector.
Industry experts say average transaction values have also climbed, reflecting increased participation by high-net-worth buyers and institutional investors seeking stable returns in one of the region’s fastest-growing property markets.