Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is the UAE's long-term residence scheme. Among several routes, it is open to investors who own property valued at AED 2 million or more. In Dubai it is issued for ten years and can be renewed for as long as you keep the qualifying property.

Its advantages over an ordinary residence visa are that you need no employer or other sponsor, you can sponsor your spouse and children, and the visa does not lapse if you spend more than six months outside the UAE, which suits owners who live mainly abroad.

How the AED 2 million test is applied:

• The value is taken from the title deed or, for off-plan, the registered contract. More than one property can usually be combined.
• Mortgaged and off-plan properties can qualify. The conditions on how much must have been paid, and the bank or developer letters required, have changed more than once, so check current requirements before buying for this purpose.
• Where a property is jointly owned, each applicant's share is assessed.

In Dubai, applications go through the Dubai Land Department and GDRFA; elsewhere through the ICP.

The visa is residency, not citizenship, and it is not tax residence. A UK buyer's tax position depends on the UK statutory residence test and on where they actually live. Below AED 2 million, Dubai offers the two-year property investor visa. See the Golden Visa guide.