Buy property worth at least AED 2 million (about £420,000 or $545,000) and you can apply for the UAE's 10-year renewable Golden Visa. It can cover your spouse and children. Off-plan property from approved developers can count. The visa lets you live in the UAE, open local bank accounts and enrol children in UAE schools.
The basics
- Threshold: property worth AED 2 million or more. Several properties can be combined.
- Length: 10 years, renewable while you keep the property.
- Family: spouse and children can be sponsored.
- Off-plan: can qualify when bought from approved developers. Check the current rules for your project.
- Mortgaged property can qualify in some cases, subject to the bank and the current rules.
What it opens up
Residency gives you a UAE bank account, access to UAE schools, and the option to make the UAE your home. It does not on its own change your UK tax residence.
Pound and dollar figures at AED 4.8 to £1 and the fixed AED 3.6725 to $1. Visa rules are set by the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and change from time to time.
“There's a 10-year golden visa. It opens up a banking element, there's the schooling, which is the best in the world.”
General information, not financial advice. Figures attributed to Mitch come from transactions he tracks.