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Buyers' Guide

Your Guide to Getting Investor Visa in UAE

22 August 2019 Written by Arpan

You can easily get a residence visa by investing in Dubai’s property market. There are some excellent and very lucrative investment options to choose from, the investment threshold is relatively low compared to other major cities around the world and the process is quite straightforward too. In our guide, we show you how you can get an investor’s visa in Dubai and be a part of this thriving global hub.

1. Property Investor Visa in Dubai

Property Investor Visa in Dubai
Property Investor Visa Requirements

In order to obtain an investor’s visa in Dubai, you must purchase a freehold property in Dubai, whether an apartment, villa or townhouse. The exact criteria for investment are as follows:

 
  • The property must be worth a minimum of AED 1 million
  • The property has to be purchased, with a title deed issued by the Dubai Land Department
  • The property cannot be a gift or a bequeathment
  • The property must be in a freehold area, it cannot be leased to the owner
  • If the property is mortgaged, 50% of the price must be paid off and there should be a loan statement from the bank and an NOC
  • Spouses can own a property together, as long as they provide a valid marriage certificate
 
 
Dubai_Investor_Visa
The Process Of Getting Property Investor Visa

If you meet all of the above criteria, the visa application process is quite simple. All of the relevant documentation must be submitted to the Economic Department to register for a property license. Approval for the license is granted in less than 30 days (ideally, it shouldn’t take more than 10 days to get a notification for approval).

 

Once you have approval, the licensing process goes into effect. You will have to submit the original title deed of the property so it can be officially linked with the license. An entry permit will be obtained, following which you will get the actual visa. The property investor visa has a validity of 2 years and is renewable.

 

In the event that you have to travel during the visa application process, you can provide a power of attorney, mentioning that you are appointing a representative to manage the visa process for you until your return.

Property_Investor_Dubai

Documentation Needed For Property Investor Visa In Dubai

The following will have to be submitted to start off the visa process:

 
  • Copy of title deed
  • Copy of passport
  • Passport-sized photograph of applicant
  • Copy of current valid visa
 

You will also require a Good Conduct Certificate from the General Department of Criminal Investigations at Dubai Police Headquarters - you will be notified when this needs to be obtained.

 

If you are mortgaging a property, then you must provide an NOC from the bank, typed in Arabic and submitted alongside a stamped loan statement from the same bank.

 

This is the easiest way to invest in Dubai and get temporary residence. Long-term five and ten-years visas have been introduced earlier this year, which we have covered in a few of our previous blog posts. For further information on investor visas and about making the perfect investment in Dubai, please contact our private client advisory team and we would be glad to assist you.

 
2. Long-Term UAE Investor Visa
In May of this year, the UAE was abuzz with an announcement that had the potential to permanently alter the country’s business landscape – the introduction of 10-year visas for investors and 100% foreign ownership of local businesses. For months, there was speculation of how exactly this new ruling would be implemented and what the criteria were to be eligible for a long-term visa. At last, the veil has been lifted and we have a clearer idea of just what the new visa system entails.
Long-Term UAE Investor Visa

Categories Of Long-Term UAE Investor Visa

 

For investors, the long-term visa is divided into two categories:

 

  • Those investing a minimum of Dh 10 million will be granted a 10-year residence visa in the UAE with the stipulation that at least 60% of the amount must be in a non-real estate investment. The investment can also take the form of a business partnership or investment into a previously established company within the country.

 

For investors who are keen on buying into Dubai’s lucrative off-plan market, this is good news as an investment of Dh 5 million will guarantee a longer residence visa. To obtain the full benefits, however, one really needs to look toward a diverse investment of which property will only be one part. It’s a good way to spread more money across the economy, possibly bringing in more investment into overlooked sectors.

 

Long-Term UAE Visa Requirements

Long-Term UAE Visa Requirements

There are a few stipulations that must be kept in mind before investing, however. The following conditions apply for both of the aforementioned categories:

 

  • The invested amount has to belong to the investor in its entirety with no loans involved. Supporting documents should be provided to prove that the entire sum belongs to the investor.
  • The investment should be retained for at least 3 years under a standard liability. Financial solvency on the investment should not exceed Dh 10 million.
  • The long-term visa can apply to business partners as well provided that each partner has contributed a minimum investment of Dh 10 million. The visa can also be extended to include a spouse and children, along with one executive director and one advisor.
  • Upon making an investment, investors will be granted a six-month multiple-entry visa while the application formalities for the long-term visa are in progress.
 
3. UAE Residence Visa By Investment

If you invest in Dubai’s property market, you can qualify for a residence visa. Typically, the visa has a standard validity of 2 years. However, new government initiatives and reforms introduced in 2018 have created further categories of investor visas with different criteria that need to be met. For the first-time investor, it is vital to understand the differences between each. Our guide below gives you a simplified breakdown of the various types of investor visas you can get in the UAE.
 

UAE Residence Visa By Investment
UAE Residences Visa Requirements

This is the residence visa that is most commonly granted to property buyers and investors.

 

Eligibility: Minimum investment of AED 1 million in freehold property

 

Validity: Renewable every 2 years

 

Renewal Conditions: Ownership of the property must be maintained for the duration of the visa

5-Year Property Investor Visa In Dubai

This category was introduced early last year as a longer term option for property investors.

 

Eligibility: Minimum investment of AED 5 million in freehold property

 
Validity: Renewable every 5 years
 
Renewal Conditions: Ownership of the property must be maintained for the duration of the visa
Dubai Retirement Visa Requirements
4. Dubai Retirement Visa Requirements

This visa is only applicable to those who are 55 years or older.

 

Eligibility: Minimum property investment of AED 2 million, minimum savings of AED 1 million or minimum income of AED 20,000/year

 

Validity: Renewable every 5 years

 

Renewal Conditions: As long as the criteria continue to be met, the visa will be renewed

 
Investor Visas In Dubai
Entrepreneurs will be granted a five-year visa with the possibility to upgrade to an investor visa provided they meet the above requirements. Doctors, researchers and specialists in the fields of science and information are eligible for a 10-year visa while students performing at an exceptional level can be granted a five-year visa.
Economic Growth In Dubai

The idea of moving to Dubai from UK for work is quite good and UAE has always been an excellent option for investors who are looking at lucrative returns and a stable business environment. These new initiatives will help to make the UAE an even more attractive destination with benefits to both investors and to the country’s own economy by fostering continued investment and growth across all commercial sectors.
 

If you want to learn more about the specifics of each criteria or about making a property investment in Dubai before you are moving to Dubai from the UK with family, please get in touch with our advisory team. We would be delighted to assist you with any queries you might have.
 

Furthermore, explore some finest properties in Dubai.