Residence in the UAE: The Golden Residence for Investors
You want a long-term base in the UAE, and you want to know which route fits. The UAE has one investment route we list, the Golden Residence for investors, from AED 2,000,000 in property or public investment. Official pages disagree on whether the real estate route lasts 5 or 10 years.
Why the UAE's figures need a date on them
The UAE's own pages give two different lengths for the real estate Golden Residence. We read each official page and date it, so you can see how current a figure is.
The route in brief
| Golden Residence (investors) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Investment residence |
| Money | AED 2,000,000 in property, a deposit, company capital or a company share; or a company paying AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes |
| Key rule | A lien on the property or a two-year deposit freeze; Dubai property validity shown as 10 years on the Land Department page and 5 years on u.ae |
| Page | UAE Golden Residence |
The UAE has other residence types that this section does not cover; every route we list is checked on an official page.
Is the UAE Golden Residence right for you?
An honest answer before you move funds.
| A good fit if | Consider another route if |
|---|---|
| You can invest AED 2,000,000 in property or in a UAE deposit, company or share | You want to apply from abroad through a representative: the Land Department service needs you in the UAE and attending yourself |
| You want a residence that does not depend on an employer | You need a deposit you can withdraw within two years: the deposit is frozen for at least two years |
| You can be in the UAE to apply in person, as the Land Department requires | You want a 10-year permit on a property below AED 2,000,000: the 2-year and 5-year permits cover smaller properties |
| You can show valid health insurance for you and your family | Your funds cannot be documented |
Not sure the UAE is the best fit? Compare all Middle East routes, or use Find my program and we match your goals to the right one.
What you need
You need a qualifying investment, proof of where the money came from and health insurance, and for the Dubai Land Department service you must be in the UAE and attend yourself. Escorts and representatives are not allowed at that service.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the UAE Golden Residence page.
What it costs, and what waiting costs
The investment is the larger cost, and the permit fees sit on top. Set both against the cost of a wrong start: a purchase made on the wrong assumption about length or fees.
| Dubai Land Department fees (updated 14 October 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| 10-year Golden Visa, investor, total | AED 9,884.75 |
| of which: medical exam, Emirates ID, residency confirmation, Land Department fee, administration | AED 700, AED 1,153, AED 2,856.75, AED 4,020, AED 1,155 |
| Family permit, per person | AED 5,774.50, plus AED 318.75 to open the sponsorship file |
| Each additional sponsored person | AED 100 |
| 2-year investor visa (Taskeen), investor | AED 10,212.50 |
| 2-year visa: spouse, child under 18, parents (1 year) | AED 7,382.25, AED 6,482.25, AED 8,882.25 |
| 5-year retiree permit, total | AED 6,984.75 |
For the deposit, company and share routes, the Dubai residency authority lists the permit at AED 1,100 plus small fees (Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10, in-country fee AED 500, delivery AED 20, and AED 100 for each year when the residence lasts over two years).
Sources: Dubai Land Department service pages and the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs page, both updated October 2026. Insurance, property purchase costs, and professional fees are on top.
Status: what changed and when
Reviewed 22 October 2026. Sources: ICP, Dubai GDRFA, u.ae and Dubai Land Department pages.
- Minimum: AED 2,000,000 on most routes, ICP page updated 10 September 2026
- Validity, Dubai property: 10 years on the Land Department page (updated 14 October 2026), ICP and GDRFA; 5 years on u.ae
- Dubai permit: AED 1,100 plus small fees
After you have the residence
You keep the residence by keeping the investment in place. The Dubai authority page says the property cannot be disposed of, and the deposit cannot be refunded, during the 10-year period.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the UAE Golden Residence page.
How the UAE compares with other routes
These are the closest alternatives to the the UAE route. The money column shows the lowest qualifying route, in the currency of each programme, so it does not move with exchange rates. Use the family cost calculator for your household.
| Programme | Money you need | Type | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden Residence (this page) | AED 2,000,000 in property or a public investment | Investment | The Golden Residence for investors starts at AED 2,000,000, and the Dubai Land Department says a Dubai property of that value gives a 10-year renewable permit. |
| Panama Qualified Investor Programme | USD 300,000 in new property (first sale); USD 500,000 for resale property or a fixed-term deposit | Investment | The Qualified Investor Programme grants permanent residence directly, from B/.300,000 in new property or a B/.500,000 fixed-term deposit. |
| Singapore Global Investor Programme | SGD 10,000,000 in a business; other options are higher | Investment | The Global Investor Programme (GIP) grants Singapore permanent residence through three options: S$10 million in a business, S$25 million in a fund, or a family office with S$200 million in assets. |
| Malaysia MM2H | USD 150,000 fixed deposit (Silver tier) plus a home of at least MYR 600,000 | Income or retirement | Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a residence pass with four tiers, from a fixed deposit of USD 150,000 to USD 1,000,000, plus a home you buy. |
Which route fits your family?
Answer eight short questions and the finder ranks all 17 residence programmes against your goals, funds and family. You see your shortlist and the cost for your family first, and a form only if you want it emailed with a fact sheet.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases. 3rd generation in the immigration industry. We bring in qualified local partners in each country, so you deal with one accountable team from first question to filing.
One point of contact
We qualify your case first, then bring in the right local partner. You deal with us throughout.
A strategy built for your family
We match routes to your goals, funds and family, not a template.
Application accuracy
Document and source-of-funds review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track rule, fee and regulator changes across every program for you.
End-to-end support
From your first question to your permit in hand, we guide every step.
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What our clients say
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Frequently asked questions
Which UAE route can I use?
This section covers the Golden Residence for investors, described by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
How much do I need to invest?
At least AED 2,000,000 in property, a deposit, company capital or a company share, or a company that pays AED 250,000 a year in federal taxes.
Who files my application?
We qualify your case and stay your point of contact. When your case is qualified, we bring in a local partner in the UAE who files.
Can my family be included?
Yes. ICP says your spouse, your children of any age and your parents can be sponsored. The Land Department lists a family permit fee of AED 5,774.50 per person for the Golden Visa.
Does the Golden Residence lead to citizenship?
No. The Golden Residence is a residence. The u.ae nationality page describes citizenship as a separate route, through nomination, and we found no official page that says the Golden Residence leads to it.
What does the UAE tax?
The UAE government and the Federal Tax Authority say corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. An individual’s wages, personal investment income and real estate investment income are outside corporate tax. We give no tax advice, and your home country may tax you.
Can you help with a company or a bank account?
Yes. We arrange a UAE company, a corporate bank account, tax registration and relocation steps with our local partners, so you deal with one point of contact.
Is the real estate residence 5 or 10 years?
For a Dubai property of AED 2,000,000 or more, the Dubai Land Department, ICP and the Dubai residency authority say 10 years. The federal portal u.ae still shows 5 years for real estate, and the Land Department’s retiree permit is 5 years. your partner checks the length before you buy.
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Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Last updated: 22 October 2026
