Dubai has further relaxed access to its 10-year Golden Visa, removing a requirement that previously tied eligibility to large upfront property payments and signalling a broader shift toward finance-led residency pathways.
Investors are no longer required to pay 50% of the property’s value to qualify. Instead, eligibility can now be secured through a bank guarantee linked to a real estate asset valued at AED 2 million or more.
The change widens access for buyers using mortgage financing or purchasing off-plan units, where payments are typically spread over time rather than made upfront.
The revised framework allows investors to obtain long-term residency much earlier in the property process, often before handover and in some cases during construction.
This is already changing buyer behaviour in Dubai’s property market. Investors can now secure residency without waiting to pay in full for a property, making it easier to plan purchases and exit strategies in a market driven by strong off-plan demand.
The adjustment strengthens Dubai’s position in the global residency-by-investment market at a time where Europe, including Portugal and Greece, have tightened their rules.
Market participants expect continued inflows into the off-plan segment, which has been a key driver of transaction volumes in recent years. Analysts also expect a rise in Golden Visa applications in the second quarter as awareness spreads.
Beyond individual investors, the change also affects corporate mobility in the UAE.
Senior executives moving to Dubai may now qualify for self-sponsored residency sooner, reducing reliance on employer-linked visas. For companies, this simplifies visa processes and strengthens the UAE’s appeal in global talent competition.
The Golden Visa is also increasingly used as part of retention strategies, offering greater long-term security for employees and their families.
The introduction of the bank guarantee route marks a meaningful shift in the UAE’s residency framework, bringing immigration eligibility more closely in line with real estate financing structures.
With investor demand already strong, the policy change is expected to support further growth in the coming quarters and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for property-linked residency.
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