Independent index: figures taken from official tariffs, not from agents
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The fastest process among every programme in this index

UAE
Golden Visa

Approval in 2–3 weeks with a complete document set — faster than any other programme in this index. The UAE has no government registry of licensed immigration agents — we check firms differently, and say so plainly.

Real estate from
AED 2,000,000 (~$545,000)
Time to status
2–3 weeks
Stay requirement
once every 6 months
Visa duration
10 years, auto-renewing

The threshold is measured by valuation, not the mortgage

The key nuance: the amount is measured by the Land Department’s official valuation, not the down payment or mortgage size. Several properties can be combined to reach the threshold.

REQUIREMENT
AMOUNT
WHAT TO KNOW
Real estate, DLD valuation
AMOUNTAED 2,000,000 (~$545,000)
The full assessed value counts, not the down payment. Several properties can be combined, including mortgaged and off-plan units.

What the full cost consists of

Government fees are small relative to the property value — the real costs beyond the purchase itself are minimal, unusual for a programme at this level.

COST ITEM
RATE
APPLIES TO
Government fee, salary/talent route
RATE~AED 4,695
per applicant (approximate, varies by emirate)
Government fee, property route
RATEup to ~AED 10,140
per applicant (approximate, varies by emirate)
ICP permit renewal (on update)
RATEAED 1,250
per person
Medical test and Emirates ID
RATEmarket rate
per applicant

How the process runs

01
Choosing and buying the property
The property needs an official Land Department valuation of at least AED 2,000,000.
02
Filing the application
Through the GDRFA portal (Dubai) or ICP (federal level) — the process is fully digital.
03
Review
Typically 10–12 business days for a complete document set, as of April 2026.
04
Medical test and Emirates ID
A mandatory step for the residence card, running in parallel with the visa process.
05
Visa issuance
Total time from filing to a completed visa is 2–3 weeks, making this the fastest programme in the index.

A good fit if

Speed is the priority — 2–3 weeks, faster than any other programme in this index.
You have AED 2,000,000+ ready for real estate (multiple properties can be combined).
You want 0% personal income tax and a 10-year status with automatic renewal.
The stay requirement is minimal — a visit once every 6 months is enough to keep the status.

A poor fit if

You expect a government registry of licensed immigration agents, like Malta has — the UAE has no such registry; firms are checked by legal registration and track record, not a government intermediary licence.
You need a path to citizenship — the UAE Golden Visa does not lead to naturalisation; it is a long-term residence status, not citizenship.
Your budget caps out below $550,000 for the property itself.
You plan to rely only on rental income to maintain the status — the requirement is owning the assessed asset, not income from it.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Can it really be done in 2–3 weeks?

Yes, with a complete and correct document set — data from April 2026 shows an average Dubai GDRFA review of 10–12 business days, plus time for the medical test and Emirates ID.

Does the UAE have a government registry of licensed agents, like Malta?

No. Unlike Malta (Residency Malta Agency), the UAE has no single government registry of immigration intermediaries — firms are selected by legal registration and a confirmed track record, not a government intermediary licence.

Does mortgaged property count?

Yes, as of 2026 mortgaged and off-plan property with a confirmed valuation count, as long as the total assessed value reaches AED 2,000,000 — this was not always as clear-cut before.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

No, it is a long-term residence status (10 years, auto-renewing), not a citizenship programme. The UAE does not offer citizenship by investment at all.

Who can be included in the application?

A spouse, children, and domestic staff — everyone receives the same status duration as the primary visa holder.

How often does the ICP permit need renewing?

On status renewal — the fee is about AED 1,250, cheaper than the initial application, but must be done 1–2 months before the current term expires or a fine applies.

Sources

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.