Other Property Investor Visa Routes in the UAE

Yes, there are property-linked residence routes in Dubai besides the Golden Visa. The main one is DLD’s investor residence service, known as Taskeen. A two-year property-owner residence (Taskeen), with no minimum value for sole owners and a share worth at least AED 400,000 for joint owners. There is also a retiree residence for property owners aged 55 years or older. Each route has its own conditions, and in every case the authorities decide the application.

This guide compares these routes with the Golden Visa and explains how to apply. It is based on the service pages of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), ICP and GDRFA Dubai. Official pages do not always agree, and some older pages describe earlier versions of these routes, so we link the current service page for each one.

Overview of property-linked residence options

For a property owner in Dubai, the official routes fall into three groups.

• The Golden Visa (investor). A long-term residence for owners of property worth at least AED 2 million. The Golden Visa through property guide covers it in detail.
• The property investor residence (Taskeen). A shorter residence linked to owning property in Dubai, run by DLD, with no minimum value for a sole owner.
• The retiree residence. A residence for older applicants who own property worth at least AED 1 million, also filed through DLD.

ICP also lists a “Resident - Property Owner” category in its residency permit service. ICP’s conditions for it include a fully constructed property, registered and fully owned by the applicant and suitable for living in, and proof of a minimum monthly income set by ICP, or of financial solvency. Check the ICP residency permit service for the current terms.

None of these routes is granted automatically on purchase. Buying property may make you eligible to apply.

The investor residence (Taskeen) route

DLD’s Investor Residence Application (Taskeen) lets real estate investors apply for a residence visa linked to property ownership in Dubai, with the possibility of sponsoring a spouse and children.

Who qualifies. DLD’s service terms set two cases:

• Sole owner. The owner may apply regardless of the property’s value.
• Joint owner. A co-owner may apply if their share is worth a share worth at least AED 400,000.

What DLD asks for. The listed documents include a passport, an electronic copy of the title deed, a personal photo, your Emirates ID and current visa or entry permit if you have them, and a good conduct certificate issued in Dubai and addressed to DLD. Because a title deed is required, this route is built around completed property registered in your name. If you own an off-plan unit, ask DLD whether you can apply before the title deed is issued.

Family. DLD lists documents for sponsoring a spouse and children, and a separate parents’ residence with its own term and documents.

Older figures. DLD’s general FAQ still describes earlier versions of property residence with different value thresholds and terms. The Taskeen service page is the current operational page, so we follow it. If you see a different threshold elsewhere, check the service page.

The retiree route through property

DLD’s retiree residence service, listed under its Golden Visa services, is for retirees who own property in Dubai. DLD describes the conditions as:

• Age. The applicant must be aged 55 years or older.
• Value. Property worth at least AED 1 million, in one or several properties in the applicant’s name. DLD’s terms refer to the purchasing or market value and say the amount should be paid in full.
• Mortgaged property. If the property is mortgaged, DLD asks that the amount paid meets the threshold, or for a bank letter addressed to GDRFA Dubai setting out the amount paid.
• Couples. A husband and wife can share one property, with a certified marriage contract.
• Family. A spouse and children can be sponsored, with health insurance among the listed documents.

The official pages differ on the details. ICP’s retiree category also offers routes that do not depend on property, such as a financial deposit or a minimum income, and states its age and service conditions differently. GDRFA Dubai’s retiree page also has its own wording. We use DLD’s age test, because DLD runs the Dubai property-based service. Ask DLD or GDRFA Dubai to confirm your eligibility before you apply.

The retiree residence is a separate permit from the investor Golden Visa, with a lower threshold and a different term. DLD’s service page states the term.

How these compare with the Golden Visa

A few practical differences stand out:

• Off-plan property. ICP states that off-plan units bought from an approved developer can count for the Golden Visa, subject to the issuing authority’s current requirements. Taskeen and the retiree service list a title deed among their documents.
• Family. All three routes allow a spouse and children to be sponsored, and each DLD service page lists a separate parents’ residence with its own documents.
• Fees and time. Each DLD service page lists its own government fees and processing time. They differ between routes, so compare them on the official pages.

The Golden Visa eligibility checker shows which published conditions your property meets. It gives an indication only.

Choosing between the routes

Which route fits depends on your property, your age and your plans. A few questions narrow it down.

• Is the property worth at least AED 2 million in total, in your own name? If so, the Golden Visa may be open to you, and it gives the longest term. If you own jointly, check the rules on your own share first.
• Is the property completed, with a title deed in your name? Taskeen and the retiree service list a title deed among their documents. If your unit is still under construction, ask DLD whether you can apply yet.
• Are you aged 55 years or older? If so, and your property meets the retiree threshold, the retiree route may suit you, especially if you do not meet the Golden Visa threshold.
• Do you co-own the property? On Taskeen your share must meet the co-owner minimum; on the retiree route a husband and wife can share one property; on the Golden Visa GDRFA Dubai looks at the value of your own share.

Whichever route you consider, check the current service page before you rely on it, and remember that renewal is a fresh decision under the rules in force at the time.

Applying: channels and documents

For all three routes, the Dubai channel is DLD’s service centres for residence services, including its own centres and some real estate registration trustee offices listed on each service page. DLD sets out the same steps for each:

1. Visit a listed service centre.
2. Submit the documents and pay the fees.
3. Complete a medical examination at the centre.
4. Receive the residence permit by email.

DLD’s notes say the applicant must attend in person; companions and representatives cannot apply on your behalf. DLD lets you upload supporting documents, such as marriage or birth certificates and bank letters, to its document storage service before you visit.

Prepare these before you go:

• passport, photo, and Emirates ID and current visa if you have them;
• title deed in your name, and a bank letter if the property is mortgaged;
• for Taskeen, a Dubai good conduct certificate addressed to DLD;
• for family members, attested marriage and birth certificates and health insurance.

The documents guide lists what you receive at each stage of a purchase, including the title deed these services ask for.

Visit visas for exploring investment

This guide does not cover visit visas. If you want to come to the UAE to view property, entry rules depend on your nationality, so check the current rules with ICP before you travel. If you already own qualifying property and are applying for the Golden Visa from abroad, ICP offers an entry permit for real estate investor residency to complete the procedures. DLD’s Taskeen service lists both resident and visiting foreign investors among those it serves.

Before you buy with residency in mind, check where non-UAE nationals can own property in the guide to whether foreigners can buy in Dubai, and see all residency guides on the Golden Visa hub. Our Golden Visa guidance service can help you prepare your property documents against the published criteria. The authorities make every decision; we do not submit or decide applications.