UAE Immigration Lawyers

UAE Residency by Investment

TWS Legal Consultants offers expert legal guidance on UAE immigration and residency matters. Our experienced lawyers assist with visa applications, UAE Golden Visas, family sponsorships, and corporate residency solutions. We ensure a smooth and compliant process for individuals, families, and businesses seeking to establish their presence in the UAE.

Located on the Arabian Peninsula, it borders Oman to the southeast, the Arabian Gulf to the north and Saudi Arabia to the west and south. Its territory is made up of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate has considerable political, judicial and economic autonomy.

In 2019, the UAE implemented a new system for long-term residence visas. The new system enables foreigners to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE’s mainland. These visas are issued for two, five or ten years and are renewable subject to compliance with applicable regulations

Recent updates have further relaxed eligibility criteria, including the removal of minimum property value requirements for certain investor visa categories and increased flexibility for property ownership structures, making UAE residency more accessible than ever.

What are the key benefits of a Dubai Property Investor Visa?

Living in the UAE has many advantages, including:

warm climate
low taxes
no direct personal taxes
excellent investment opportunities
high quality of life
business-friendly policies

What are the eligibility requirements for a Dubai Property Investor Visa?

Ten-Year Visa or Golden Visa – Requirements:

No minimum down payment requirement, subject to Dubai Land Department approval
Investment in ready property/properties with a total value of AED 2 million or more
Multiple properties can now be combined to meet the AED 2 million threshold
Off-plan properties may be considered if purchased from approved developers (subject to authority approval)
Title deed owners can apply for a Golden residence visa application if the market value exceeds 2 million (an official evaluation certificate may be required where value clarification is needed).
Joint ownership is acceptable, provided the total property value is AED 2 million or more
Mortgaged properties are eligible, provided:
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is obtained from the bank or developer
- Evidence of payment is provided
Joint ownership between spouses is permitted
Applications assessed on a case-by-case basis

To learn more about the UAE Golden Visa, check this comprehensive guide

Benefits of a Golden Visa:

10-year renewable residency
Sponsor spouse, children, and parents
Children’s sponsorship extended (subject to the latest immigration policies)
No restriction on time spent outside the UAE (subject to visa conditions)
Ability to live, work, and invest freely in the UAE

Retirement Visa or Five-Year Visa:

Ready Property with the Purchase Price of AED 1 million or more
Title deed owners can apply for a retirement visa application if the market value exceeds 1 million (an official evaluation certificate is mandatory)
Title deed jointly between partners is acceptable (applicant’s share should be a minimum of 1 million).
The age of the applicant must be 55 years or more
Minimum annual income of AED 240,000 (or equivalent), where applicable
5 years of UAE Residency offered
Greater flexibility in combining assets (property, savings, or income streams where applicable)
Available for renewal after the renewal period (subject to the set criteria)

Two-Year Property Investor Visa:

No minimum property value for sole ownership
For joint ownership, a minimum of AED 400,000 per investor
Off-plan / completed properties may be considered (subject to DLD approval)
If the property is mortgaged, then an NOC from the bank is required, and it must show the total paid amount and the remaining amount
If the property is mortgaged by the developer, a copy of the initial sale certificate would be required
If the property is completed and not under construction, a payment statement with proof of payment for 50% of the entire property value or AED 375,000 is required
A certificate of good conduct and behaviour issued by Dubai Police, addressed to the Dubai Land Department, may be required, depending on the authority for this category.

TWS Legal Consultants’ immigration lawyers, who are registered with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, can advise and assist you throughout your UAE residency application. We are a fully digital law firm and can organise appointments via video conferencing if you are based abroad. Contact us now:

+971 4 448 4284 Get in touch