Dubai Drops Minimum Property Value for 2-Year Residency Visa

If you own property in Dubai and assumed you did not qualify for residency because your flat is worth less than Dh750,000 — read this now. Dubai has just changed the rules.

Dubai has scrapped the Dh750,000 minimum property value requirement for sole owners applying for the 2-year property investor residency visa. For jointly owned properties, a new minimum of Dh400,000 per owner now applies. The previous requirement was Dh750,000 per share.

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At a Glance

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In This Article

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Dubai 2‑Year Residence Visa for Property Owners: What Exactly Changed

The update was published by the Dubai Land Department through its official DLD Cube service centre platform — the same centre that processes all Taskeen programme visa applications.

The rule applies specifically to the 2-year property owner residency visa — the entry-level, renewable residency permit for property investors, administered through DLD’s Taskeen programme.

It does not affect the 10-year Golden Visa.

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Old Rules vs New Rules

Ownership type	Old rule	New rule
🏠 Sole / single owner	Minimum property value Dh750,000	✅ No minimum property value
👥 Joint / multiple owners	Each share minimum Dh750,000	✅ Each share minimum Dh400,000
🏆 Golden Visa (10-year)	AED 2 million	Unchanged — still AED 2 million

In plain terms: if you are the sole owner of a Dubai property — any completed freehold property, regardless of its value — you now qualify for the 2-year investor residency visa. If you co-own a property with others, each owner’s registered share simply needs to be worth at least Dh400,000.

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Who Now Qualifies That Didn’t Before

The Dh750,000 threshold had excluded a large slice of Dubai’s property market. The most common properties that previously fell outside it:

Under the new rules, all of the above owners — provided their property is completed, registered with the DLD, and in a designated freehold zone — now qualify for the 2-year investor visa.

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What the 2-Year Property Visa Gives You

The 2-year property investor visa — processed through DLD’s Taskeen programme — is not the Golden Visa, but it is a fully valid UAE residency permit. Here is what it includes:

Benefits at a glance

2-year visa vs 10-year Golden Visa

	2-Year Property Visa	10-Year Golden Visa
Min. property value (sole owner)	✅ None (new rule)	AED 2 million
Min. property value (joint owner)	✅ Dh400,000 per share	AED 2 million per share
Visa duration	2 years, renewable	10 years, renewable
Off-plan properties	❌ Must be completed	✅ Accepted (with conditions)
Absence rule	6-month max absence	No absence limit
Sponsor parents	❌ Not included	✅ Yes
Best for	Any property owner wanting residency fast	Long-term investors, families

Already hold a 2-year visa and want to upgrade? If your property value has grown to AED 2 million or above, you can apply for the Golden Visa as a fresh application. Read the full guide: UAE Golden Visa — How to Apply After Buying Property.

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How to Apply for the 2-Year Property Visa

Applications are processed through the DLD Cube centre — the Dubai Land Department’s official Taskeen service centre, located at Al Manara Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road. All submissions are now online.

Documents required

For mortgaged properties

If your property is mortgaged and completed, you need a payment statement showing 50% of the property value or AED 375,000 has been paid — whichever applies. A bank NOC (no-objection certificate) is also required.

For joint ownership

If you co-own with a spouse, an attested marriage certificate is required. Each owner’s registered share on the title deed must be at least Dh400,000 under the new rules. For non-spouse joint owners, both parties must each meet the threshold independently.

Processing typically takes 7–10 working days from complete submission. The entire application is submitted online through the DLD Cube portal — you do not need to visit the office to apply.

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Does the Golden Visa Change Too?

No. This update applies only to the 2-year property investor visa. The 10-year Golden Visa property threshold remains at AED 2 million — unchanged.

What did change for the Golden Visa earlier this year: the 50% upfront payment requirement was removed in February 2026. Eligibility is now based solely on the DLD-certified property valuation reaching AED 2 million — regardless of mortgage balance or payment schedule. Off-plan and mortgaged properties both qualify.

For the full Golden Visa breakdown, read: UAE Golden Visa — How to Apply After Buying Property.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dubai still require a minimum property value for the 2-year visa?

Not for sole owners. As of 29 April 2026, Dubai has removed the Dh750,000 minimum property value requirement for individual sole owners of completed freehold properties. For joint owners, a minimum share value of Dh400,000 per person now applies — down from Dh750,000 previously.

I own a studio apartment worth Dh450,000. Do I now qualify?

Yes — if you are the sole owner of a completed, DLD-registered freehold property in Dubai, the new rules remove the minimum value threshold entirely. A studio worth Dh450,000 now qualifies for the 2-year property investor visa, provided all other requirements are met (completed property, title deed issued, Dubai freehold zone).

My wife and I jointly own a property worth Dh900,000. Do we both qualify?

Yes. Under the new rules, each owner’s share must be at least Dh400,000. On a Dh900,000 property split equally (50/50), each share is Dh450,000 — above the new threshold. However, in joint spousal ownership, only one spouse applies as the primary visa holder. The other spouse is then sponsored as a dependent on a family visa. For both spouses to hold independent investor visas, separate properties or qualifying individual shares are needed.

Does my off-plan property qualify?

No — the 2-year property visa requires a completed property with an issued title deed. Off-plan units do not qualify until construction is complete and DLD has issued the title deed at handover. If your off-plan property is valued at AED 2 million or above, you may qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa instead — off-plan properties are accepted for that route under specific conditions.

Does my Abu Dhabi or Sharjah property qualify?

No. The DLD Cube Taskeen programme specifically covers Dubai properties only. Properties in other emirates, the DIFC, or other special jurisdictions are not accepted under this scheme. Check with the relevant land department in your emirate for equivalent programmes.

What is the 6-month absence rule?

Under the 2-year property visa, you must enter the UAE at least once every 6 consecutive months. If you remain outside the UAE for more than 6 months continuously, your residency visa is automatically cancelled. This rule does not apply to Golden Visa holders, who can remain outside the UAE indefinitely while their visa is valid.

Can I work in the UAE on a 2-year property investor visa?

The property investor visa grants residency but not an automatic work permit. To work legally, you need a separate employment visa or labour card issued through MOHRE, or you can hold a Green or Golden Visa which permits self-sponsorship. Many residents hold the property visa as their residency base and then obtain a separate work permit through their employer.

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The Bottom Line

This is a significant opening of the door. Thousands of Dubai property owners who owned completed flats below the Dh750,000 threshold — and assumed residency was out of reach — now qualify immediately. The change also makes joint ownership a far more practical route to residency for couples and investors buying together.

The 2-year visa is not the Golden Visa — but for many residents it is the faster, simpler path to legally calling Dubai home. And if your property grows in value past AED 2 million, you can upgrade at any point.

Check your eligibility now at DLD Cube — the official Dubai Land Department service centre. If you are considering buying property in Dubai to qualify, read our guide on whether Dubai’s property market is still a sound investment.