2-Year Property Investor Visa UAE

Can you get UAE residency by buying a property?

Buying a property in Dubai is one of the ways to secure residency in the UAE.

According to the 2026 updates, the minimum property value requirement for a 2-year residence visa for a single owner has been waived. The previous threshold of AED 750,000 no longer applies. The visa allows you to legally reside in the UAE, sponsor your family, open bank accounts, and access local infrastructure.

Quick facts about the 2-year Property Investor Visa

• Visa: 2 years (renewable)
• No minimum property value
• Family sponsorship: Yes
• Regulators: Dubai Land Department and GDRFA Dubai

If you have a higher capital capacity, you can opt for a longer-term residence route:

• 10-year Golden Visa for owning property worth at least AED 2 million

Who qualifies for the 2-year property investor visa?

General requirements

• Minimum property value: Single property owners in the UAE can apply for a 2-year residence visa with no minimum property value requirement.
• Joint ownership: If the property is jointly owned, the share of each holder must be no less than AED 400,000.
• Completion status: The 2-year residence visa is granted for the owners of completed property units in Dubai.
• Location: Properties must be located within designated Freehold areas in Dubai.
• Mortgage: The property can be purchased through a mortgage or paid in installments under a developer’s payment plan.

Important addition:

Before submission, the applicant must obtain a police clearance certificate from Dubai Police.

This is a key difference from the Golden Visa for property investment, where this requirement does not apply.

What documents are required for the application?

Required documents:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Title Deed issued by DLD (except DIFC properties)
• Health insurance (mandatory)
• Personal photography
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical fitness result
• Bank NOC (for mortgaged properties) or payment statement from the developer (if the property is financed by the developer)

How much does the 2-year property investor visa cost?

The visa process includes government fees and mandatory steps such as medical testing, Emirates ID issuance, and administrative processing.

In real cases, the total visa-related cost for the main applicant is AED 10,765.

Сost breakdown (updated 2026)

This breakdown does not include the visa assistance service fee, which amounts to AED 3,500–4,000. You can request the exact cost from an Emirabiz consultant.

Visa renewal cost

Renewal after 2 years costs AED 8,215, provided the property ownership conditions remain unchanged.

How to apply for a 2-year property investor visa?

The process is completed inside the UAE, meaning the applicant must be physically present during the application.

Applications are submitted via DLD Cube.

Step-by-step process

1. Check the property eligibility — either an existing property or one you plan to purchase.
2. Apply for police clearance via Dubai Police
3. Submit application through DLD Cube
4. Receive initial approval or rejection reason
5. Complete medical test at DHA-approved center
6. Emirates ID biometrics via ICP UAE
7. Final visa issuance by GDRFA Dubai

Important note: This visa applies only to properties registered in Dubai. Properties in other emirates are subject to different rules and authorities.

How long does the process take?

Typical timing breakdown (2026)

• Initial verification: 1–2 business days
• Medical testing: same day to 2 days
• Biometrics and processing: 5–10 days

The realistic total timeframe is 2–3 weeks, and applicants are generally expected to remain in the UAE during this period.

Can you sponsor your family on the property investor visa?

The visa allows sponsorship of close family members.

Eligible dependents:

• spouse
• children (sons up to 25, unmarried daughters without age limit)
• parents (subject to additional income and housing requirements)

Each dependent requires a separate application, and costs increase accordingly.

Cost of sponsoring family members

Family sponsorship adds a separate cost layer to the investor visa. In practice, the total cost per dependent is usually AED 4,000 for a 2-year visa, including entry permit, status change, Emirates ID, and visa stamping.

For children under 18, the cost is slightly lower as medical testing is not required.

For parents, additional requirements apply, including proof of income and suitable housing (Ejari).

Full conditions and step-by-step guidance are covered in our Full Guide on UAE Family Visa.

How to maintain residency for a property investor?

Property ownership

• If the property is retained → the visa can be renewed every 2 years
• If the property is sold → the visa is canceled
• Renewal is generally based on the original purchase value

The 180-day rule

If the visa holder stays outside the UAE for more than 180 consecutive days, the residence permit may be canceled.

Can you work in the UAE with this visa?

The 2-year investor visa does not provide employment rights. It is strictly a residency status linked to property ownership.

To work legally in the UAE, you must obtain:

• an Employment Visa through an employer
• a Business License and investor status

Property investors aged 55+

Investors aged 55 and above may also consider a 5-year retirement visa, which offers alternative entry criteria such as property ownership of AED 1,000,000 or fixed deposits.

This route is regulated separately and should be evaluated independently.