Dubai Eases Eligibility Norms for Property-Linked Residency Visa
The Dubai Land Department has rolled out revised rules, scrapping the minimum property value requirement for individual buyers of two-year property-linked residency visas, in a move aimed at reviving demand and broadening investor access.
- Under the revised rules, the earlier threshold of Dh750,000 for individual ownership has been scrapped for sole owners.
- However, for jointly owned properties, a minimum investment of Dh400,000 per investor has been introduced, ensuring a defined participation level in shared ownership structures.
Lower Entry Barrier to Attract Younger Buyers
Industry experts say removing the minimum property value significantly broadens the addressable market, making Dubai's property-linked residency more accessible to first-time and mid-income investors.
Morgan Owen, Managing Director – MENA at ANAROCK Group, noted that the earlier Dh750,000 threshold excluded several mid-range properties from qualifying for residency-linked benefits.
"With the Dh750,000 MPV no longer in place, any property worth up to that amount can get a single buyer a two-year residency visa. That is a major change, as earlier a mid-range flat in Jumeirah Village Circle could have been just below the cutoff, locking out a buyer who might have been interested.
Shiv Garg, Director at Forteasia Realty Pvt Ltd, echoed similar sentiments, saying that the policy shift will cause demand to rise since more people will be able to buy properties in lower and middle-tier segments.
"It will almost certainly cause demand to rise since more people will be able to buy properties in lower and middle-tier segments. It is also good news for existing owners because more buyers mean fewer homes in the price range buyers can afford, which will drive prices up.
Stronger Appeal for Indian Investors
Experts say the policy shift is particularly significant for overseas buyers, especially those from India, who already make up the largest group of foreign investors in Dubai.
Owen said that simplified digital integration between the Dubai Land Department and residency authorities reduces procedural hurdles, making the investment process more seamless.
"Affordable properties qualifying for residency change the equation overnight for many investors. Indian buyers already make up the largest group of foreign investors in Dubai, and this move is aimed directly at them."
Buyers from India and the UK Top Investors in Dubai Real Estate
The city recorded a record AED 547 billion in residential sales across 203,000 transactions, with buyers from India and the UK topping the list of investors in 2025.
However, the city recorded a 89% drop in real estate transactions between February 28 and April 29, compared to the same period last year.
Key Statistics:- Record AED 547 billion in residential sales across 203,000 transactions in 2025.
- Buyers from India and the UK topped the list of investors in 2025.
- 89% drop in real estate transactions between February 28 and April 29, compared to the same period last year.