Dubai has introduced a major update to its real estate investor visa rules by removing the minimum property value requirement for sole property owners applying for a two-year residency visa.
The change, issued through the Dubai Land Department’s Cube platform, is now active and directly benefits individual freehold property owners who previously did not meet the old AED 750,000 property value condition.
Under the revised rule, a person who fully owns a property in Dubai can apply for the two-year investor visa without needing to prove that the property is worth a specific minimum amount.
However, the rule is different for shared ownership. In joint property cases, each owner must now hold at least AED 400,000 in property value to qualify. This means every co-owner must meet the requirement separately, whether the property is owned by spouses, business partners, or other investors.
The update is expected to make Dubai’s investor residency route more accessible, especially for buyers of studios, apartments, and smaller residential units that were previously below the AED 750,000 mark.
Real estate professionals expect the decision to support demand in Dubai’s affordable and mid-market property segments. Investors from South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa may show stronger interest as lower-value freehold properties can now offer a route to residency.
The new rule applies only to the two-year property investor visa. Other residency categories remain unchanged. The ten-year Golden Visa still requires real estate investment of AED 2 million, while other long-term property-based visa options continue to follow their existing investment conditions.
Existing property owners may also benefit from the update. Investors who purchased Dubai property below the earlier AED 750,000 limit may now be able to apply if they meet the remaining visa requirements.
Applicants must still ensure that their property is officially registered with the Dubai Land Department and that they have a valid title deed. Standard residency steps such as medical fitness testing, health insurance, and Emirates ID registration will also continue to apply.
This move reflects Dubai’s wider strategy to attract more property investors, simplify residency access, and strengthen confidence in the emirate’s real estate market.
