Best Property Visa in Dubai – DLD Taskeen Visa or Golden Visa?
In recent years, the UAE has introduced new property visa schemes to attract more overseas investors to make Dubai their long-term home. “DLD Golden Visa”, “3-Year Visa”, “5-Year Visa” and “DLD Taskeen Visa” seems to be popular terms that are floating around the Internet, which may cause confusion as to which is best suited for you.
UAE Residency Visa through Property Purchase
Depending on how much you want to spend on a property and your qualification, here’s an overview of the types of UAE visa through property purchase, including the most talked about visa, the Golden Visa.
Please note: Dubai Land Department (DLD) and GDFRA BOTH offer Golden Visa.
Property Investors Visa (via Dubai Land Department)
- DLD’s 2-year Residence Visa (aka DLD Taskeen Program)
- DLD’s 10-year Golden Visa for Investors
- DLD’s 5-year Golden Visas for Retirees
Property Investors Visa (via GDFRA)
- GDFRA‘s 5-year Golden Visa
- GDFRA‘s 5-year Golden Visa for Retired Foreigners
Property Visa Dubai (via DLD)
| UAE Visa Type | Who Can Be Sponsored / Added? | Min. Property Investment Value | Requirements |
| DLD 2-Year Visa a.k.a DLD Taskeen Program 2-Year Renewable | Family (spouse, unmarried daughters and unmarried sons) | AED 750,000 | • Residential property in freehold zones • Off-plan / commercial properties not included • Mortgaged properties – 50% of property value (or min. AED 750,000) must be paid upfront • NOC letter along with mortgage bank statement will require to proceed with visa application • Husband and wife can share in one property (marriage certificate attested required). |
| DLD 10-Year Golden Visa 10-Year Renewable | Family (spouse, unmarried daughters and unmarried sons) | AED 2 million | • Investor can buy one or more off-plan properties (min. AED 2 million) from approved local real estate companies • If property is mortgage, an Noc letter from the bank to issue a visa on the property and shows the paid and remaining amounts • Amount invested can be mortgaged from certain local banks • Property must be retained for at least 2 years • Husband and wife can share 1 property (marriage certificate required) |
| DLD Retirement Visa Over Age 55+ 5-Year Renewable | Family (spouse, unmarried daughters and unmarried sons) | AED 1 million | • Fully paid, not mortgaged • A min. value of AED 1 million as per title deed. • If mortgaged, payment to date should be a min. AED 1 million • No off-plan properties • Husband and wife can share 1 property (marriage certificate required) • If shared owners, applicant’s shares (and spouse’s share collectively) of property must be min. AED 1 million • Multiple properties with a combed value of AED 1 million may be used, as long as they meet above criteria |
Property Visa Dubai (via GDFRA)
| UAE Visa Type | Who Can Be Sponsored / Added? | Min. Property Investment Value | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDFRA 5-Year Golden Visa 5-Year Renewable | Family (spouse, unmarried daughters and unmarried sons) | AED 2 million | • Must be freehold • Submission of a letter from the Real Estate Registration Department stating that the investor owns one or more properties worth min. AED 2 million, stating that the property is not subject to a loan. • The value of property is permitted to be a loan if exceeds the value of AED 2 million. |
| GDFRA 5-Year Gold Visa (Retired Foreigner) Over Age 55+ 5-Year Renewable | Family (spouse, unmarried daughters and unmarried sons) | AED 1 million | • Bank letter with deposit or income of AED 15,000 or owner of property value min. of AED 1 million, • Or that a financial deposit of no less than AED 1 million inside UAE • Fixed annual income of the retiree should not be less than AED 180,000, provided that a bank statement for the last 6 months is submitted. |
What are the Legal Requirements for Buying a Property in Dubai?
Overseas Investors (who don’t live in the UAE)
Since 2002, Dubai was the first emirate in the UAE to allow foreign investors (both residence and non residence) to own residential properties in areas designated by the Government of Dubai as Freehold Zones. Additionally, they are also eligible to invest in leasehold properties, commercial and retail buildings (freehold and leasehold) including office and shop space, again within Dubai’s government-approved zones.
In Dubai, overseas investors are not required to be UAE residents when buying a property in freehold or leasehold zones.
However, overseas investors who are interested in living in the UAE, may apply for a UAE residence visa through a property purchase. With a UAE resident visa, you can get an Emirates ID, open a bank account, a driver’s license, and sponsor family members.