The Dubai Land Department has removed the minimum property-purchase requirement for sole owners seeking a two-year real-estate investor residency visa [1, 2].
This policy shift aims to lower the barrier to entry for international buyers. By reducing financial hurdles, the city intends to broaden its pool of foreign investors and increase its competitiveness in the global real-estate market [4, 5].
Under previous regulations, the minimum investment required for a sole-owner to qualify for the property visa was AED 750,000 [1]. The new rules eliminate this threshold entirely for those purchasing property alone. Some reports indicate this change allows sole owners to save up to Rs 90 lakh [4].
While sole owners face no minimum, the department has established a new requirement for joint ownership. Each joint owner must now invest a minimum of AED 400,000 to qualify for the residency permit [2, 3].
These changes apply to the two-year residency visa scheme [1]. The Dubai Land Department said the move is designed to provide greater regulatory flexibility for those looking to establish a presence in the United Arab Emirates [4, 5].
By shifting the requirements, Dubai is positioning itself as a more accessible hub for smaller-scale investors. The move follows a broader trend of the city updating its visa frameworks to attract global talent and capital.
“Dubai has removed the minimum property-purchase requirement for sole owners seeking a two-year real-estate investor residency visa.”
This regulatory shift signals Dubai's intent to pivot from attracting only high-net-worth individuals to capturing a wider demographic of mid-tier international investors. By removing the entry price for sole owners, the city is leveraging its real estate market as a primary tool for population growth and economic diversification, ensuring the city remains a competitive destination compared to other global financial hubs.
