How to get UAE residency through property investment

Real estate requirements for residence permit

To obtain a residence permit in the UAE based on the purchase of real estate, the property must meet several mandatory requirements.

The property must be ready for occupancy, registered with the relevant emirate’s Land Department, and registered in your name. Proof of ownership is provided by an electronic certificate, such as a title deed or e-certificate, which must be attached to the residence permit application.

The property must be located in an area open to foreign investors, also known as a freehold zone. You can purchase real estate from an accredited developer or on the secondary market, provided the property is registered and complies with legal requirements. Please note that the information in the certificate of ownership must exactly match your passport; any discrepancies may result in the suspension of your case or refusal of your residence permit application.

Purchasing real estate with a mortgage is permitted if, at the time of applying for a residence permit, you have paid at least 50% of the property’s cost. You will also need a letter from the bank confirming that it does not object to issuing a residence permit based on acquiring this property. This document is called a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and must contain information about the amount deposited and the loan balance.

The mortgage agreement, payment history, and NOC must be registered with the Department of Lands and comply with existing residence permit program requirements.

The rights and obligations of a UAE resident – property owner

Upon receiving a residence permit in Dubai based on the purchase of real estate, you gain resident status and access to a wide range of rights comparable to those of citizens in everyday and business matters. Available benefits include:

• The right to reside in one of the most developed countries in the Middle East. You have the opportunity to officially reside in the UAE for the entire duration of the residence permit and renew it, on the condition that you maintain ownership of the property.
• The opportunity to move your family to the UAE. Together with you, your spouse, and children under 25 years of age can receive resident visas. When applying for a Golden Visa, you can also include your parents.
• Access to banking and financial services. You have the right to open an account at local banks, use cards, purchase insurance, rent or purchase vehicles, and enter into rental or maintenance contracts for real estate.
• Business registration. Resident status allows you to open a company in a free economic zone and legally conduct business without a local partner.
• Simplified opening of visas to the USA and Schengen countries. Having a valid UAE residence permit positively affects your visa history and increases the chances of approval for tourist and business visas to the USA and Schengen countries.

Despite the many advantages of UAE resident status, having a residence permit comes with certain obligations. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the revocation of your residence permit.

Real estate owners with a residence permit must comply with the visa regime, promptly renew their status, and keep their data in state registers up to date. They must also maintain ownership of the property. Residency status may be revoked in case of loss of real estate, absence from the country for more than 6 months continuously, or violation of migration laws.

Documents for purchasing real estate and obtaining a residence permit

To obtain residency status based on purchasing real estate in the UAE, you must prepare a package of documents for both the purchase and the residence permit application.

During the transaction, you will need an international passport and proof of ownership, such as an electronic certificate issued by the Department of Lands of the relevant emirate and registered in your name. If you purchase the property with a mortgage, you must also obtain the bank’s consent in the form of an official letter (No Objection Certificate, or NOC) and submit a loan statement showing how much of the cost has been repaid.

The following documents are required to apply for a residence permit:

• Copy of passport;
• Passport-size photograph;
• A medical insurance policy;
• A certificate of no criminal record issued by the Emirate Police and addressed to the Lands Department.

Other options for obtaining a residence permit in the United Arab Emirates

In addition to obtaining a residence permit by purchasing real estate, the UAE has several investment programs that allow you to obtain resident status:

• Green Visa for investors and partners. If you own a share in a company registered in the UAE and your contribution meets the Ministry of Economy’s criteria, you can obtain a 5-year residence permit. This status can be extended as long as the original conditions are met.
• Golden Visa for investors. To obtain a residence permit for 10 years, you must present a business plan to implement in the UAE or proof of investment of at least USD 544,500. Confirmation can include a letter from an investment fund approved in the UAE, an agreement to establish a company with the required capital, or documents proving ownership of an existing business for the same amount, provided that no loan is taken out. A letter from the Federal Tax Administration confirming that your company pays at least USD 68,000 to the state annually is also accepted.
• Golden Visa for entrepreneurs. Founders or owners of projects in the UAE can apply for a residence visa if the value of their business is at least USD 136,120, as confirmed by an auditor. The project must be technical or innovative and recognized as a leader in its field. The residence permit is issued for 10 years and can be extended under the same conditions.
• Residence permit through opening a business. A residence permit in the UAE through opening a business in a free economic zone is issued for 3 years, with the right to extension, and provides the owner with ample opportunities to conduct business under the same conditions as citizens of the UAE. To register a company in Dubai, you need an authorized capital of at least USD 13,000, and you can include family members in the application. If you don’t have a business plan, our specialists can help you create one.

Can one obtain UAE citizenship by purchasing real estate?

According to United Arab Emirates legislation, one can apply for citizenship only after residing in the country continuously for 30 years. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the Arabic language, have no criminal record, have a stable income, and be fully integrated into society.

Since 2021, the UAE has introduced a mechanism for granting citizenship based on exceptional merit. This opportunity is available to investors, scientists, doctors, inventors, and cultural figures; however, an official nomination from the government or ruler of the emirate is still required. The decision to grant citizenship remains at the discretion of the government and is made in exceptional cases.