How to Get a UAE Residency Visa With Property Investment

If you’re a foreign national and want to live and work in the UAE, you need to apply for a UAE Residency Visa. This permit allows you to live in the region for a much longer period than a standard tourist visa and can last anything from two to ten years. Residency visas can be renewed as often as you need, as there is technically no such thing as UAE permanent residency.

There are a variety of ways to apply and get a Residency visa, including setting up your own business in the UAE, being employed by a UAE company or multi-national with offices in the Emirates, enrolling in college or university, or buying property.

Long-term visas – how property buying can get you a visa in Dubai?

New initiatives by the UAE government are designed to attract overseas investment into one of the most energised and buoyant property markets in the world. These include longer Residency visas for those investing a minimum amount of between AED 5-10million in real estate, investment funds or businesses.

Residence visas for property owners in the UAE are broken down into different categories, and there are specific requirements and minimum investment levels for each, depending on the length of the visa.

Three-year property visa

Foreign nationals who have bought property in the Freehold property zone of Dubai with a purchase price of at least AED 750,000 can apply for a 3-year Residency visa. If it’s financed by a loan then at least half of the amount must have already been paid to the bank when you apply for the visa. The property must be completed (so you can’t buy ‘off-plan’ for a three-year visa), and you’ll need to go through an application process via Dubai Land Department. A fee of around AED 15,000 and a further AED 8,000 per family member is payable.

Five-year property visa

The basic requirements are similar to the three-year visa, but with some variation in the investment level. For a five-year visa you need to purchase a property with a minimum value of 2 million AED, although this can be a combination of more than one property. You will also have to have deposited the whole amount with the bank at the time of application. Costs are around AED 3,800 per applicant.

Five-year retirement visa

To apply for this visa, you will need to be at least 55 and have purchased a property in a Freehold zone for at least 1 Million AED. Again, the value can be made up of more than one property. The entire amount must have been deposited with the bank at the time of application, and the applicant may also sponsor their spouse and children once a visa has been granted. The process and cost is the same as the five-year visa.

Where can I live in Dubai?

A Property Investment Residence Visa gives you the right to live in any of the seven Emirates, and remains valid as long as you continue to own the property you bought, and that you visit the country at least once every six months. The property will, however, be in one of the designated Freehold areas, where foreign nationals are allowed to own property.

For example, the highly desirable Tilal Al Ghaf development is located right in the heart of the city, close to City Centre Malls and Al Maktoum International Airport. 

Bear in mind that while a Property Investment Residence Visa allows you to remain in the UAE, it is not a work permit. If you want to work in the UAE, you will need to ensure you submit the correct paperwork to get a work permit and UAE ID.

What other requirements are there?

There are a number of specific requirements that you must meet to be able to remain in the UAE under a Property Investment Residence Visa. These include:

• The visa holder should have a monthly income of at least AED 10,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency. This may also include pension payments if your visa is a five-year Retirement visa.


• The holder must have adequate medical insurance.


• If the visa holder is sponsoring family members, the property must be large enough to house them


• The property should be an apartment, flat, or villa.


• The property must be in a designated Freehold area, where foreigners are permitted to own property.


• The current value of the property should meet the minimum value requirements for the appropriate visa


• The title must be issued by the Land Department.

What documents do I need?

To apply for a Property Investment Residence Visa, you must submit the following paperwork:

• Evidence of Health Insurance


• Title Deeds or Proof of Registration of Real Estate


• Medical Certificate


• Original and photocopy of passport


• Original Police Clearance Certificate


• Proof of income


• Three passport-size photos


• Bank Statement