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In Dubai, those who buy a property with a price exceeding AED 2 million are eligible for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. It makes a Dubai property purchase uniquely powerful. It is simultaneously a financial investment and a decade of secure residency. No sponsor, annual renewal and employment contract is needed.
The visa covers you and your immediate family. This guide explains the exact eligibility requirements and the best property types for dual-purpose investment. It also provides details on the value of AED 2M to AED 5M in Dubai in 2026.

Apartments
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 2,000,000
Dubai Design District
1, 2, 3 & 4
738 - 7767 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED 2,200,000
Dubai Islands
Studio, 1, 2 & 3
409 - 4125 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 2,200,000
Dubai Islands
1, 2, 3 & 4
1,132 - 4,464 Sq Ft

Townhouses
AED 4,750,000
Dubai South
4 & 5
3801 - 4915 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
AED 3,900,000
Dubai Islands
2, 3 & 4
1017 - 7008 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 2,390,000
Dubai Islands
1, 2, 3 & 4
757 - 5826 Sq Ft

| Criteria | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum property value | AED 2,000,000 | Based on DLD-registered purchase price |
| Property type | Residential (completed or off-plan) | Commercial properties do not qualify |
| Property status | Freehold | Must be in a designated freehold area |
| Ownership structure | Individual name | Company ownership does not qualify directly |
| Mortgage eligibility | Yes, but with conditions | Property must have minimum AED 2M equity, not just purchase price |
| Number of properties | Single or combined portfolio | Two properties worth AED 1M each can qualify if total reaches AED 2M |
| Property location | UAE only | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, any emirate |
| Issuing authority | ICP (Federal) or GDRFA (Dubai) | Both issue valid Golden Visas |
The mortgage condition is the most commonly misunderstood rule. If you buy a AED 2M property with a mortgage, the unpaid loan doesn't count toward your equity. You need AED 2M in equity, not just purchase price, if buying with finance.
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residency duration | 10 years - renewable |
| Sponsor requirement | None - self-sponsored |
| Employment requirement | None - no job needed to maintain visa |
| Family coverage | Spouse and children included (conditions apply for sons) |
| Exit requirements | No mandatory return to UAE required during visa period |
| Business eligibility | Can operate a business and own 100% of a UAE company |
| Emirates ID | Full Emirates ID issued for the 10-year period |
| School and healthcare | Full access as a UAE resident |
| Re-entry | Multiple-entry visa - travel freely |
| UAE bank account | Can maintain accounts without local employment |
No sponsor requirement, no exit obligation, and full family coverage combine well. This makes the Golden Visa the most flexible long-term residency option in the Gulf.
You own assets overseas and want a UAE base without employment dependency. AED 2M in Dubai real estate buys the visa and a yield of 5 to 7% on a quality apartment. The rental return offsets your holding cost. For this profile, the visa itself is the primary value, with the yield as a bonus.
You work in Dubai and want long-term residency security independent of your employer. A AED 2M property purchase decouples your residency from your job. If you change employer or take time off, your visa status stays unaffected. This independence grows more valuable as competition for senior roles increases.
You are moving your family to Dubai permanently. One property purchase sponsors your entire family for ten years. This eliminates annual visa renewals for every family member. It also removes the administrative burden of separate employment-linked visas for a spouse.
You are building a Dubai property portfolio. Structuring your first purchase above AED 2M ensures every investment above that threshold qualifies for the visa. Each additional property then generates rental income alongside your secured residency status.
Not all AED 2M properties serve the dual objective equally. The table below rates five common property types against both the visa objective and the investment return objective.
| Property Type | Qualifies for Visa | Gross Yield | Capital Appreciation | Dual-Purpose Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed apartment - central Dubai | Yes | 5.5% – 7% | Strong | Excellent |
| 1-bed premium - Downtown, Marina | Yes | 5% – 6.5% | Strong | Good |
| 3-bed villa - established community | Yes | 4.5% – 6% | Moderate–Strong | Good |
| Studio (AED 2M+, branded) | Yes | 5% – 6% | Strong | Moderate |
| Off-plan unit (AED 2M+) | Yes — with conditions | TBC at handover | Potentially strong | Good with conditions |
The two-bedroom apartment in a central or semi-central community is the strongest dual-purpose choice. It qualifies for the visa and generates 5.5 to 7% gross yield. It also attracts stable long-term tenants and sits in communities with the deepest resale market.
Here's exactly where your AED 2M to AED 5M budget goes across Dubai's freehold communities in 2026.
| Community | Property Type at 2M+ | Price Range | Gross Yield | Golden Visa Eligible? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | 1-bed, 2-bed | AED 2M – 5M+ | 4.5% – 6% | Yes |
| Dubai Marina | 1-bed, 2-bed | AED 1.8M – 3.5M | 5.5% – 6.5% | Yes |
| Palm Jumeirah | 2-bed apt | AED 2.5M – 8M+ | 5% – 7% | Yes |
| Business Bay | 1-bed, 2-bed | AED 2M – 4M | 5% – 7% | Yes |
| JVC | 2-bed | AED 1.5M – 2.2M | 6% – 8% | Yes |
| Jumeirah Bay Island | Villa | AED 15M+ | 3% – 5% | Yes |
| Dubai Hills Estate | 3-bed villa, 2-bed apt | AED 2M – 5M | 5% – 6.5% | Yes |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | 2-bed, 3-bed | AED 2M – 4M | 5.5% – 7% | Yes |
Every community in this table sits in a designated freehold zone. All purchases above AED 2M in these areas qualify for the Golden Visa when made in an individual's name.
The best prestige and capital appreciation is to be found in Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Marina and JVC have the best yield-to-price ratio at AED 2M. Enclosed between Dubai Hills Estate and Creek Harbour is creek property with a balance of family comfort and strong long-term prospects.

Yes, off-plan property can qualify, with specific conditions. Off-plan properties above AED 2M can qualify under this structure:
Off-plan entry is a powerful strategy. You lock in today's price, qualify for the visa at booking, and benefit from appreciation before handover.
One of the most searched Golden Visa subtopics is also one of the least clearly answered. Here's exactly who's covered.
Family sponsorship removes the need for each member to be independently employed. It also removes any education requirement to maintain their UAE residency.
A Golden Visa property purchase is one of the most strategically efficient decisions available in Dubai. A single above-2M purchase delivers residency for your whole family. It also delivers a yield-generating asset and capital appreciation exposure, simultaneously. Few investment decisions offer this combination of financial and lifestyle return.
Yes. If you buy real estate for AED 2 million or more, you are eligible for the Golden Visa for 10 years. This is applicable in any emirate in the UAE.
Yes, with conditions. The property must reach AED 2M in registered value and carry Oqood registration. You can apply before handover.
Yes. A combined portfolio reaching AED 2M total qualifies, provided both are individually owned. Each property must meet DLD registration requirements.
Processing typically takes 5 to 15 working days after document submission. This follows your medical test and application fee payment.
Yes, except in most categories, the Golden Visa is valid for 10 years and can be renewed once it expires.

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Studios
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483 - 1073 Sq Ft

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Dubai International City
Studio, 1 & 2
341 - 1555 Sq Ft

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AED 666,000
Dubai Land Residence Complex
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360 - 1314 Sq Ft

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AED 14,500,000
Dubai Water Canal
2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
2880 - 21000 Sq Ft

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Dubai Land Residence Complex

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AED 1,800,000
Al Sufouh
1, 2, 3 & 4
689 - 3250 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
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Al Satwa
Studio, 1 & 2
483 - 1073 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED Price on Request
Dubai International City
Studio, 1 & 2
341 - 1555 Sq Ft

Apartments
AED Price on Request
Dubai Land Residence Complex

Apartments
AED 666,000
Dubai Land Residence Complex
Studio, 1, 2 & 3
360 - 1314 Sq Ft

Apartments
Villas
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 14,500,000
Dubai Water Canal
2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
2880 - 21000 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 1,800,000
Al Sufouh
1, 2, 3 & 4
689 - 3250 Sq Ft

Commercial
AED Price on Request
Motor City

Commercial
AED Price on Request
Damac Lagoons

Apartments
Commercial
Penthouses
AED 2,000,000
Meydan
1, 2 & 3
640 - 4244

Apartments
Commercial
AED 1,900,000
Sheikh Zayed Road
1, 2 & 3

Apartments
Commercial
AED 1,142,000
Damac hills
1 & 2
740 - 6588 Sq Ft

Commercial
AED Price on Request
Mohammed bin Rashid City

Apartments
Villas
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 14,500,000
Dubai Water Canal
2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
2880 - 21000 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 1,800,000
Al Sufouh
1, 2, 3 & 4
689 - 3250 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 1,670,000
Dubai Islands
1, 2 & 3
848 - 2607 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 679,000
Jumeirah Village Circle
Studio, 1 & 2
388 - 2159 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
Studios
AED 594,000
Dubai Production City
Studio, 1, 2 & 3
417 - 2024 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
AED 2,661,000
Dubai Islands
1, 2, 3, 4 & 4
60 - 9121 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
Mansions
AED Price on Request
Palm Jumeirah
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
1541 - 12382 Sq Ft

Villas
Mansions
AED 20,000,000
Mohammed bin Rashid City
5 & 6
13,007 - 13,568 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
Mansions
AED 5,500,000
Palm Jumeirah
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
940 - 11830 Sq Ft

Mansions
AED 65,000,000
Jumeirah
7
41550 - 49062 Sq Ft

Mansions
AED Price on Request
Tilal Al Ghaf
6 & 7

Mansions
AED Price on Request
Damac Islands

Apartments
Villas
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 14,500,000
Dubai Water Canal
2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
2880 - 21000 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
AED 3,900,000
Dubai Islands
2, 3 & 4
1017 - 7008 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
AED Price on Request
Jumeirah Garden City
Studio, 1 & 2
1026 - 2255 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 9,000,000
Business Bay
2, 3, 4 & 5
2154 - 22900 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 2,390,000
Dubai Islands
1, 2, 3 & 4
757 - 5826 Sq Ft

Apartments
Penthouses
AED 26,000,000
Business Bay
3, 4 & 5
6684 - 43059 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED Price on Request
Al Satwa
Studio, 1 & 2
483 - 1073 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED Price on Request
Dubai International City
Studio, 1 & 2
341 - 1555 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED Price on Request
Meydan
Studio, 1, 2 & 3
361 - 1284 Sq Ft

Apartments
Studios
AED 599,000
Dubai South
Studio, 1 & 2

Apartments
Studios
AED 650,000
Dubai Land Residence Complex
Studio, 1 & 2
420 - 1600 Sq Ft

Apartments
Duplexes
Studios
AED 594,000
Dubai Production City
Studio, 1, 2 & 3
417 - 2024 Sq Ft

Villas
Townhouses
AED Price on Request
Nad Al Sheba

Apartments
Townhouses
AED 1,250,000
Emaar South
1, 2 & 3
719 - 2603 Sq Ft

Townhouses
AED Price on Request
Dubai Investments Park
2, 3 & 4

Townhouses
AED Price on Request
Dubai South

Townhouses
AED Price on Request
Dubai South

Townhouses
AED 4,750,000
Dubai South
4 & 5
3801 - 4915 Sq Ft

Apartments
Villas
Penthouses
Duplexes
AED 14,500,000
Dubai Water Canal
2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
2880 - 21000 Sq Ft

Villas
Townhouses
AED Price on Request
Nad Al Sheba

Apartments
Villas
AED Price on Request
Dubailand

Villas
AED Price on Request
Mohammed bin Rashid City
5 & 6

Villas
AED 4,900,000
Jebel Ali
4 & 5
2966 - 8231 Sq Ft

Villas
AED Price on Request
The Heights Country Club & Wellness
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