Dubai has introduced new residency visa guidelines for property investors, scrapping the long-standing minimum investment requirement for single-property buyers in a bid to make its real estate market more accessible.
Under the updated policy announced by the Dubai Land Department, individuals who fully own a property can now qualify for a renewable two-year residency visa, regardless of the property’s value.
The change marks a major departure from previous rules, which required a minimum investment of AED 750,000—effectively excluding many mid-level and first-time investors.
The reform is expected to attract a wider range of foreign buyers, particularly those looking to enter Dubai’s property market at more affordable price points.
Officials say the move is part of a broader strategy to sustain growth in the real estate sector and strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a global investment destination.
However, the relaxed policy mainly applies to sole ownership. For jointly owned properties, each co-owner must still meet a minimum investment threshold to qualify for residency benefits, ensuring that eligibility reflects a substantial financial commitment.
The development comes as Dubai continues to roll out investor-friendly policies to maintain momentum in its property sector amid global economic pressures and regional uncertainties.
While access to the standard two-year investor visa has been simplified, long-term residency options—such as extended visas tied to high-value property investments—remain unchanged and still require significantly larger financial commitments.
Industry analysts believe the policy shift could boost activity in the mid-range property segment and attract new categories of investors.
Commenting on the development, Ritu Ojha, CEO of Proact Luxury Real Estate, noted that while the policy opens opportunities for solo buyers across different budgets, the minimum requirement for joint ownership helps prevent misuse of the system.
She added that removing the minimum property value for sole buyers sends a strong signal to global mid-market investors to consider Dubai as a viable destination.