Permanent Dubai Residency by Buying Property
Permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property, but by investing in the city’s real estate, you can obtain a short or long-term residence visa. To qualify, you must invest at least AED 750,000 in a property within a government-designated and approved area. Depending on the value of the purchased property, you can receive a 2-10 year renewable residence visa.
Can permanent residency and citizenship in Dubai be obtained by buying property?
Permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property in this country. Through real estate investment, you can obtain a temporary or long-term Dubai residence visa for yourself and your family.
There are other paths to obtaining permanent residency in Dubai. If you meet the following conditions, you can get permanent residency and citizenship in Dubai:
- Living legally in Dubai for 30 years
- Marrying an Emirati citizen
Conditions for Obtaining Dubai Residency in the UAE with Real Estate Investment
According to UAE laws, permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property. The country’s laws do define the possibility for all foreign nationals, including Iranians, to buy property and obtain a residence visa. However, the implementation of this law is subject to specific conditions:
Property Value: The minimum value of the property you purchase is defined as AED 750,000. By buying a home of this value, you can obtain a two-year residency.
Property Type and Location: The purchased property can be a villa, apartment, mansion, or commercial unit. If you want to have full ownership of the property, its location must be in Dubai’s freehold zones (Freehold). In this case, 100% ownership will be registered for you, without needing citizenship.
Property Deed Status: The house you buy must be completed and have a final deed (title deed). If you buy off-plan properties, you can obtain a Dubai residence visa under certain conditions.
Conditions for Using a Bank Loan: The property you buy for Dubai residency must not be financed with a bank loan. If you have used banking facilities, at least half of its amount must have been paid.
Buyer’s Legal Conditions: To buy property in Dubai, you must have no criminal record and be at least 18 years old.
Suggested Options for Buying a Home for Dubai Residency
Although permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property, purchasing various types of real estate can provide a way to obtain short or long-term residency in this city.
Ready-to-Move-in Property
Handed-over residential units are one of the options that allow you to get Dubai residency upon purchase. In ready residential units, the title of ownership is transferable. If the total value of the property reaches the threshold (AED 750,000 or 2 million), you are eligible for a two-year or ten-year residency in Dubai.
Installment or Off-Plan Properties
Another way to get Dubai residency by buying property is by investing in units that are not yet completed. In this case, it is possible to pay part of the cost in installments or through a bank loan to the developer.
You can obtain Dubai residency by buying installment properties if you meet the following conditions: (Remember that laws can change; therefore, we suggest you consult with a reputable legal or real estate advisor in Dubai for the exact conditions of your desired project.)
- The project must be at a sufficient stage of progress, or you must have paid at least half of the property’s value.
- The property must have the minimum determined value: To obtain a long-term visa, the minimum value is set at AED 2 million.
- If the property has a mortgage, at least 50% of the value or an amount equivalent to the minimum investment must have been paid.
- The property must be registered under the buyer’s name.
- If your purchased property has multiple owners (e.g., husband and wife or two business partners), for each person to obtain independent residency in Dubai, their share of the property’s value must reach the minimum amount set by the government (AED 2 million).
Resale Properties
Resale properties include units that have already been handed over, have a title deed, and their ownership is transferable to the buyer. Since the title deed is available at the time of purchase, obtaining residency in Dubai by buying these properties is also possible.
Minimum Investment Amount in Property for a Dubai Residence Visa
Although permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property, you can obtain a temporary and renewable residency this way. The duration of your residence visa is determined by the value of the property you purchase. According to the latest UAE laws, the minimum investment amount required for different types of Dubai residence visas is as follows:
Property Investment Amount and Residency Duration in Dubai
| Minimum Property Price (AED) | Type of Residence Visa (Duration) |
|---|---|
| 750,000 | 2 years |
| 1 million | 5 years |
| 2 million | 10 years |
Approximate Property Prices in Different Areas of Dubai
The average approximate price of property in Dubai is AED 400,000-500,000. Based on the Iranian currency, you will need a capital of at least 11 billion Tomans to buy a house in 2025; of course, to obtain residency, your purchased property must be worth AED 750,000 (about 22 billion Tomans).
The table below reports the approximate price of buying property in areas of Dubai in 2025:
Approximate Property Prices in Dubai by Area
| Category | Area Name | Approximate Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | Business Bay | 1,200,000 – 3,000,000 |
| Downtown Dubai | 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 | |
| Dubai Marina | 600,000 – 4,500,000 | |
| Mid-range | Palm Jumeirah | 1,200,000 – 20,000,000 |
| Dubai Hills | 900,000 – 3,700,000 | |
| Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | 450,000 – 1,400,000 | |
| Jumeirah Lake Towers | 800,000 – 2,400,000 | |
| Economy | Arjan | 420,000 – 1,350,000 |
| Discovery Gardens | 300,000 – 1,100,000 |
Legal Steps to Obtain Dubai Residency by Buying a Home
Permanent Dubai residency is not directly possible by buying property, but by investing this way, you can apply for legal and valid residency in this country. By following the steps below, you can obtain legal residency in this country:
- Submit a visa application to the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- Receive visa acceptance confirmation from the DLD and present it to the Dubai Police.
- Complete the residency application in Dubai by providing the necessary documents at the DLD department.
Documents Required for Dubai Residency
To apply for a residence visa in the UAE, you need the following documents:
- Electronic certificate of the title deed
- Passport
- Photo
- Health insurance
- UAE ID card (if available)
- Copy of residence or entry visa to the UAE (if available)
- Certificate of good conduct issued by the Dubai DLD.
Types of Dubai Residence Visas with Property Investment
According to UAE law, permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property in this country. However, through investment in Dubai real estate, you can obtain a long-term or temporary residence visa.
2-Year Real Estate Investor Visa in Dubai
The 2-year real estate investor visa in Dubai is a visa that the UAE grants under the following conditions:
- Minimum investment of AED 750,000 to buy a property.
- Provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank or developer if the property is purchased with a mortgage.
- Provide a mortgage statement including the amount paid and the remaining balance.
- Equal partnership share in the property if the owners are husband and wife (if one spouse’s share is larger, the one with the larger share can act as the main visa holder and then sponsor their spouse).
Benefits of the 2-Year UAE Visa:
- Ability to live and reside legally in the UAE.
- No personal income tax (or very low tax if any).
- Strong investment opportunities.
- Added value to the investment through residency and presence in the UAE market.
UAE Golden Visa in Dubai by Buying Property
The Golden Visa is a 5 or 10-year renewable residence visa in the UAE. Obtaining this visa does not provide you with the benefit of citizenship or permanent residency.
Conditions for Obtaining the UAE Golden Visa:
- Investment worth at least AED 2 million.
- The investor must not use a loan to buy the property.
- Maintain the investment for at least 2 years.
- A monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 for salaried investors.
- Business entrepreneurs are required to own or establish a startup in the UAE.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa:
- Long-term residency (5 or 10 years) with renewal capability.
- Initial entry with a six-month visa with multiple entries and exits.
- No need for a sponsor.
- Ability to leave the UAE for more than six months without losing residency.
- Ability to sponsor family members, service staff, and domestic help.
Cost of Obtaining UAE Residency by Buying Property
Permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property in this country. To obtain residency, in addition to the property price of at least AED 750,000, you must also consider other associated costs:
Costs of Obtaining Dubai Residency Through Property Purchase
| Cost | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Property Purchase Price | 750,000 |
| Contract Registration Fee | 1,000 |
| UAE ID Card Issuance Fee | 370 |
| Residence Visa Issuance Fee | 1,100 per person |
| Medical Examination Fee | 220 per person |
Best Areas for Iranians to Buy Property in Dubai
UAE property ownership laws allow obtaining residency in Dubai in areas with full ownership (Freehold). The best freehold areas in this country where you can gain residency by buying property include:
- Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina
- Dubai Hills
- Downtown Dubai
- Bastakiya
- Business Bay
- Al Barsha
Advantages of Buying a Home and Residing in Dubai
Although permanent Dubai residency is not possible by buying property, by investing in this country’s real estate, you can experience a short or long-term stay and enjoy the following benefits:
- Enjoying a luxurious lifestyle.
- Ability to reside in the UAE for an unlimited period.
- Profitable and secure investment opportunity with good returns.
- Possibility to open a bank account, obtain a driver’s license.
- No need for a local sponsor to stay in the country.
- Facilitation of the business license renewal process.
Challenges of Obtaining Dubai Residency by Buying a Home
Regardless of the benefits that immigrating to Dubai through property purchase provides, this action also comes with challenges:
- High housing prices in this country.
- Inability to obtain permanent Dubai residency by buying property.
- Requirement to maintain the investment status in the property to renew the residence visa.
- Cancellation of visa validity if the property is sold.
- High costs of obtaining residency this way.
Permanent Dubai Residency by Buying Property; What You Need to Know
Although permanent residency in this country is not possible by buying property, you can have a short or long-term residency with real estate investment. To obtain residency, you must purchase a property worth at least AED 750,000 in Dubai’s freehold zones and with a final deed. For this reason, choosing ready-to-move-in homes is a better option. If you buy an installment property, you can obtain residency in this country under specific conditions.
Your residency duration varies between 2-10 years based on the value of the property purchased in Dubai. By completing the legal steps and providing the required documents, your residency will be renewed. If you have chosen this path for Dubai residency, contact our consultants at Dubivivo right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai residency by buying property renewable?
Yes. Residency renewal is possible every 2 years.
What documents are needed for Dubai residency by buying property?
Passport, electronic certificate of the title deed, photo, health insurance, UAE ID card (if available), copy of residence or entry visa to the UAE (if available).
How much do I have to spend to buy property and get residency in the UAE?
For a 2-year residency, the purchased property value must be AED 750,000, and for a 10-year, AED 2 million. Other costs (UAE ID card issuance, medical examination, residence visa issuance) are added to this amount.
How long is Dubai property residency valid?
The Dubai residence visa by buying property varies between 2-10 years depending on your investment value.
How much does it cost to renew Dubai residency by buying property?
Regardless of the amount you pay for renewing Dubai residency, associated costs include the medical test, UAE ID application, and administrative service center fees, which are estimated to be around AED 1,400 in total.
Is residency in Dubai canceled if the property is sold or rented?
As long as you have not sold the property, your residency is renewable. But as soon as the property is sold, the UAE residency is canceled. However, by renting out the property, your residence visa remains valid.
What is the minimum property price to obtain Dubai residency?
To obtain Dubai residency, you must buy a property worth at least AED 750,000.
The Dubivo content team consists of experienced consultants and Dubai real estate market analysts. With years of field experience and access to the latest data, we simplify the complexities of the Dubai property market for you. Our mission is to provide unbiased, accurate, and practical content to help you make the smartest decision for investing or living in Dubai.
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