How to get a residence permit in the UAE for investment: features of the program

Investment opportunities in the UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, a unique program called the "Golden Visa Program" has been established to attract foreign investors who wish to obtain residency in the country through real estate investments.

A new approach to residency

The difference is that in the UAE there is no concept of "temporary" or "permanent" residence permits. Instead, there is a resident visa, which can be issued for 10 years for foreigners who have invested from $205 thousand.

Diversity of investments

The selection of real estate is impressive: from investment apartments with an annual yield of 9% in the Motor City area to unique apartments in the Erin project with a yield of up to 7.5%. There are also apartments, high-rise residential complexes, residences with private beaches and pools on Palm Island, as well as residential complexes with pools and a mini-golf course near Burj Khalifa.

Flexible conditions for residency extension

The UAE residency program offers flexible renewal terms, allowing you to maintain your residency status for life as long as you maintain your real estate investment. In 2022, the government simplified the Golden Visa process and reduced the required investment amount.

Attractive prospects for investors

The "Golden Visa Program" offers an attractive way to obtain residency in the UAE through real estate investments, opening up new opportunities for potential investors.

Attractive opportunities for foreign investors

Starting from September 2022, investors from other countries have been able to become residents of the United Arab Emirates for ten years by making real estate investments of at least 545,000 USD (2 million dirhams). This move significantly lowered the previous investment threshold, which was around 1.36 million USD (5 million dirhams), and extended the visa validity from five to ten years.

UAE Residency Program: Key Benefits

The UAE residency program has key benefits, the main one being UAE residency status. It allows the visa holder to live in the country permanently, and the resident visa can be extended as many times as desired, provided that the property is retained.

Conditions for maintaining resident status

To maintain resident status, permanent residence in the UAE is not mandatory. It is sufficient to enter the country once every six months to keep the three-year visa. The ten-year "golden visa" does not require a specific number of days spent in the country.

Opportunities for the whole family

Investors who obtain resident status in the UAE have the right to bring their entire family with them, including their spouse, children under 18 years old or up to 21 years old if they are studying at university, unmarried daughters regardless of age, as well as parents. The new rules for the "golden visa" eliminate age restrictions for children.

The process of obtaining a resident visa

The process of obtaining a resident visa in the UAE is quite fast. Investors can obtain a visa within 2-3 weeks after submitting the required documents.

Advantages of resident status

The status of a UAE resident grants the right to obtain a Schengen visa and a US visa, open bank accounts, and acquire local driver's licenses, but it also comes with the obligation to become a tax resident of the country. Residents have the right to educate their children in public or private schools and universities, as well as access to public and private medical services.

Real estate investments

The investment thresholds for real estate in the UAE have also been changed. Investors purchasing property in Dubai for $205,000 (750,000 dirhams) and above receive a three-year residency visa. Those who buy property for $545,000 (2 million dirhams) and above, according to the new rules, receive a "golden visa" for ten years.

Terms of real estate investment

The amount that needs to be invested can only come from the investor's personal funds, without the use of a mortgage loan. However, any amount exceeding the threshold of 205,000 USD can be covered by borrowed funds.

Program Description

The United Arab Emirates issues residence permits to investors who invest in real estate starting from $205,000. The investor and their family receive resident status and can live in the country permanently. It is important to clarify that UAE legislation does not have the concepts of temporary or permanent residence; instead, foreigners receive a resident visa, which is essentially equivalent to a residence permit and is valid for a period ranging from 6 months to 10 years.

Advantages of the program

• The investor obtains resident status in the Emirates and the opportunity to live permanently in the country.
• A resident visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times as long as the property remains in the investor's ownership.
• A foreigner does not need to reside in the UAE permanently. To maintain the status of a resident when obtaining a visa for 3 years, it is enough to enter the country at least once every 6 months. "Golden visa" for 10 years has no requirements for the minimum period of residence in the Emirates.
• A foreign investor who has obtained resident status in the UAE can bring their entire family to the country — a spouse, sons under 18 years old and up to 21 years old if they are studying at a university; unmarried daughters of any age, as well as parents. Additionally, the new rules for the "golden visa" for 10 years eliminate age restrictions for children.
• The process of obtaining a resident visa in the Emirates is quick. You can get a resident visa in the UAE through property purchase in just 2-3 weeks after submitting the documents.

Investment amount thresholds

An investor who buys real estate in Dubai worth 205 thousand US dollars (750 thousand dirhams) or more will receive a resident visa for 3 years. An investor who buys real estate in the UAE worth from 545 thousand US dollars (2 million dirhams), according to the new rules, from September 2022 receives a "golden visa" for 10 years, not for 5 years, as it was before.

Requirements for investors

• The invested amount must come from the investor's own funds, without the use of a mortgage. However, the portion of the investment that exceeds the specified threshold of $205,000 can be financed with borrowed funds.
• Obtaining a loan for the purchase of real estate worth $545,000 or more is now possible and is not contrary to the terms of the program. Mortgages are only available from government-approved banks.

Examples of real estate

Apartments in Dubai:

• The Community: investment apartments at 9% p.a. in the center of Motor City district, Dubai, UAE yield 9.0% maturity: 2025.
• The Central Downtown: new apartments for residency and investment in a complex with first-class infrastructure, Arjan district, Dubai, UAE, yield 8.2%, completion date: 2026.
• Erin: a unique apartment with a yield of up to 7.5% in an elite project, City Walk area, Dubai, UAE, total area 121 m², 1 bedroom.
• Franck Muller: a high-rise residential complex with designer finishes from the Swiss brand, Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE due date: 2027.
• Armani Beach Residences: a new residence with its own beach and pools, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE, completion date: 2026.
• Eywa: a new residence by the canal featuring pools, relaxation areas, and waterfalls, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE, completion date: 2026.
• Cello: a new luxury residence with swimming pools near highways, in the prestigious JVC area, Dubai, UAE completion date: 2027.
• 25H Heimat: a new high-rise residence with pools and a mini-golf course near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, UAE, completion date: 2027.