Investors seeking the UAE’s coveted 10-year Property Golden Visa no longer need to pay 50 % of a property’s value—or a minimum AED 1 million—upfront to qualify. A policy circular published on 20 February 2026 confirms that only the asset’s total value must reach the AED 2 million threshold; payment schedule is now immaterial. Off-plan, mortgaged and combined-title-deed purchases all count, provided the aggregate value meets the mark.
Removing the down-payment hurdle is expected to unlock pent-up demand from mid-tier global investors who previously struggled to tie up large sums before handover. Mortgage brokers predict a surge in 80–85 % LTV products as banks package longer-tenor loans for residency-driven buyers. Developers, meanwhile, anticipate faster sales of off-plan launches around Dubai Creek Harbour, Rashid Yacht City and the capital’s Yas SeaWorld district.
The change dovetails with the government’s strategy of attracting foreign capital without compromising market stability: buyers must still hold the property for at least three years to retain visa benefits, discouraging speculative flips. Family sponsorship privileges, unlimited exit-and-re-entry and access to local banking remain intact.
![UAE scraps upfront-payment rule for Property Golden Visa, widening investor pool]()
Whether you’re purchasing a qualifying property or exploring alternative residency pathways, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork and appointment scheduling for your UAE visa application. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and real-time support, helping applicants avoid common errors that delay approvals.
For corporate mobility teams, the relaxed rule offers a new retention lever for senior executives who might otherwise rotate out after a standard three-year contract. Employers may wish to revisit housing allowances or introduce property-purchase incentives as part of long-term assignment packages. Real-estate consultancies advise would-be applicants to obtain a clear, digitally issued title deed and to ensure that any mortgage bank provides a “no-objection” letter before the visa file is lodged online.
Analysts note that the UAE’s Golden Visa ecosystem now features multiple entry points—talent, investment, entrepreneurship and specialised skills—creating an increasingly competitive landscape among global residence-by-investment programmes.
Removing the down-payment hurdle is expected to unlock pent-up demand from mid-tier global investors who previously struggled to tie up large sums before handover. Mortgage brokers predict a surge in 80–85 % LTV products as banks package longer-tenor loans for residency-driven buyers. Developers, meanwhile, anticipate faster sales of off-plan launches around Dubai Creek Harbour, Rashid Yacht City and the capital’s Yas SeaWorld district.
The change dovetails with the government’s strategy of attracting foreign capital without compromising market stability: buyers must still hold the property for at least three years to retain visa benefits, discouraging speculative flips. Family sponsorship privileges, unlimited exit-and-re-entry and access to local banking remain intact.
Whether you’re purchasing a qualifying property or exploring alternative residency pathways, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork and appointment scheduling for your UAE visa application. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers step-by-step guidance, document checklists, and real-time support, helping applicants avoid common errors that delay approvals.
For corporate mobility teams, the relaxed rule offers a new retention lever for senior executives who might otherwise rotate out after a standard three-year contract. Employers may wish to revisit housing allowances or introduce property-purchase incentives as part of long-term assignment packages. Real-estate consultancies advise would-be applicants to obtain a clear, digitally issued title deed and to ensure that any mortgage bank provides a “no-objection” letter before the visa file is lodged online.
Analysts note that the UAE’s Golden Visa ecosystem now features multiple entry points—talent, investment, entrepreneurship and specialised skills—creating an increasingly competitive landscape among global residence-by-investment programmes.
