DoByThe Golden Visa is a 10-year UAE residence visa that you can obtain by buying a home in Dubai worth 2,000,000 AED or more, which is about $544,588. The DoBy catalogue currently has 1,404 properties that meet this threshold, from 2,000,000 AED.
Who qualifies and on what basis
Property in Dubai worth 2,000,000 AED or more gives you the right to apply for a Golden Visa. The buyer's nationality makes no difference: the requirements are the same for Russians, Europeans and all other foreign nationals.
What to know about the threshold:
- It is the value of the property that counts. You can reach the threshold with several properties, as long as their combined value is at least 2,000,000 AED.
- Mortgaged and off-plan homes may also qualify, but additional conditions apply to them. Confirm these with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) before you buy, not after.
- Joint ownership. If a property is registered to several people, specific rules apply when calculating the threshold. These are also worth confirming in advance.
For a smaller investment there is another option: a home worth 750,000 AED or more qualifies you for a 2-year renewable investor residence visa.
Visa rules change from time to time. Before the transaction, check the current requirements on the website of Dubai's GDRFA or with the DLD.
What the Golden Visa gives you
- 10 years of residence, renewable for as long as you own the property.
- Family. Your spouse and children can be included in the visa.
- No need to live in the UAE full time. A standard residence visa is cancelled if you spend more than six consecutive months outside the country. This restriction does not apply to the Golden Visa.
- Emirates ID. It makes it easier to open an account with a local bank and to arrange a phone contract, a lease and utilities.
The visa does not grant citizenship.
What qualifying properties cost
Half of the properties that qualify for the Golden Visa cost less than 3,883,500 AED. Villas are not the only option that meets the threshold: the catalogue lists 998 apartments from 2,000,000 AED.
| Bedrooms | Listings | Median | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 6 | 2,400,000 AED | 2,000,000 AED |
| 1 bedroom | 215 | 2,400,000 AED | 2,000,000 AED |
| 2 bedrooms | 479 | 3,100,000 AED | 2,000,000 AED |
| 3 bedrooms | 321 | 4,900,000 AED | 2,100,000 AED |
| 4 bedrooms | 202 | 7,425,000 AED | 2,040,000 AED |
| 5+ bedrooms | 181 | 24,000,000 AED | 2,900,000 AED |
| Area | Properties | Median | Per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marina | 267 | 3,300,000 AED | 26,254 AED |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | 249 | 3,300,000 AED | 28,122 AED |
| Dubai Hills Estate | 226 | 13,775,000 AED | 27,365 AED |
| Dubai Islands | 172 | 3,208,500 AED | 26,103 AED |
| Business Bay | 73 | 2,780,000 AED | 28,783 AED |
| Downtown Dubai | 38 | 4,035,000 AED | 38,762 AED |
| Palm Jumeirah | 24 | 9,244,400 AED | 38,972 AED |
| Mohammed Bin Rashid City | 23 | 9,500,000 AED | 23,009 AED |
| The Valley | 21 | 4,052,157 AED | 14,163 AED |
Each area name links to all properties there, including those below the threshold.
How to apply for the visa
1. Purchase and registration. The transaction is registered with the DLD, and a Title Deed is issued to the new owner. How the purchase itself works and what you pay on top of the price is covered in our guide How to buy property in Dubai. 2. Visa application. It is submitted through the DLD or the GDRFA, together with the Title Deed, your passport and a photograph. 3. Medical test and Emirates ID. Once the application is approved, you take a medical test and provide biometrics. 4. Visa for your family. Your spouse and children are added after the visa has been issued to the main applicant.
Fees and processing times depend on the number of family members and are subject to change, so confirm them when you apply.
Ready or off-plan
A ready property is the simpler route: the Title Deed is issued at the transaction, and you can apply for the visa with it straight away. Off-plan property is recorded in the interim Oqood register, and additional requirements apply to it for the visa. If you need the visa soon, look at completed buildings. The catalogue currently has 814 ready properties and 590 off-plan properties at or above the threshold. The differences are explained in more detail in our guide Off-plan or ready property.
Properties for the Golden Visa
On each property card you can ask the DoBy concierge a question: they will answer about the price and the area and check with the seller whether the property meets the visa requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to invest in property for a Golden Visa?
The property must be worth 2,000,000 AED or more, which is about $544,588. You can reach the threshold with several properties. In the DoBy catalogue, 1,404 properties qualify.
Can Russian citizens get a Golden Visa through property?
Yes. The requirements do not depend on nationality, and Russians obtain the visa on the same basis as other foreign nationals.
Can you get a Golden Visa with a mortgaged property?
Yes, but additional conditions apply to mortgaged homes. Confirm them with the DLD before you buy.
How long is the visa issued for?
For 10 years, renewable for as long as you own the property.
Is there a visa for a smaller investment?
Yes. A home worth 750,000 AED or more qualifies you for a 2-year renewable investor residence visa.
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