Dubai Scraps AED 1 Million Down Payment for Property Investor Visas

Dubai has officially removed the requirement for real estate investors to make a minimum down payment of AED 1 million to qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa. The policy shift, confirmed by recent regulatory updates, simplifies the path to long-term residency for property owners in the emirate. Revised Eligibility Criteria Previously, investors were required to have paid at least AED 1 million, or 50% of the property’s value, to be eligible for the Golden Visa. Under the new regulations, the primary qualifying factor is the total value of the property, which must remain at AED 2 million or above. This change applies regardless of whether the property is mortgaged or the specific amount paid to the developer at the time of application. Impact on Mortgaged and Off-Plan Properties The revision significantly lowers the entry barrier for investors using bank financing. Owners of mortgaged properties can now apply for the 10-year visa once the property value reaches the AED 2 million threshold, provided they meet other standard requirements from the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This also extends to off-plan property investors, who can seek residency based on the purchase agreement value…