UAE’s Golden Visa to Attract New Property Investors as Trump’s Tariffs Reshape Markets
In Dubai, stable real estate prices and more ready-made homes are fueling demand for Golden Visas, competition from other Gulf states is getting fierce, but the UAE’s Golden Visa investment program, linked to the real estate sector and worth 2 million dirhams (or more), is still the one to beat.
This is important because, after last week’s events, with Trump’s tariffs shaking and shaking markets, a new breed of global investors may be looking for a safe and stable market for their funds.
Any asset that offers the least volatility and a higher probability of withstanding market cycles is just what investors want. Especially after a week like last week. “Moreover, unlike in 2008, Dubai’s real estate market is not experiencing the most intense speculation – it is now serious buyers who are making serious investments,” said the chief executive of a major property development firm. “The Golden Visa real estate investment program is perfectly suited to the needs of new investors, and even many residents. That is why the UAE Golden Visa will remain the most coveted, regardless of the competition.
“Depending on the location and ownership, it is the best minimum investment a buyer can make, which is AED 2 million.”
Price consistency
The best part is that new investors are entering a market where real estate values have stabilized. The double-digit increases in out-of-plan property prices from the 2022-2024 period have no longer occurred. In fact, some areas have even experienced a slight drop in prices, making life easier for investors.
If it’s ready, buy
Industry sources say that new buyers would be the best push for ready-made homes in Dubai. More houses will be delivered soon, and in particular there will be a focus on those with a value of more than 2 million dirhams. This is because it is the requirement for obtaining the UAE’s Golden Visa, and with recent regulations allowing buyers to obtain ten-year residency without having to pay the minimum of 1 million dirhams for a 2 million dirham home purchase.
“Moreover, unlike in 2008, Dubai’s real estate market is not experiencing the most intense speculation – it is now serious buyers who are making serious investments,” said the chief executive of a major property development firm. “The Golden Visa real estate investment program is perfectly suited to the needs of new investors, and even many residents. That is why the UAE Golden Visa will remain the most coveted, regardless of the competition.
“Depending on the location and ownership, it is the best minimum investment a buyer can make, which is AED 2 million.”
Price consistency
The best part is that new investors are entering a market where real estate values have stabilized. The double-digit increases in out-of-plan property prices from the 2022-2024 period have no longer occurred. In fact, some areas have even experienced a slight drop in prices, making life easier for investors.
If it’s ready, buy
Industry sources say that new buyers would be the best push for ready-made homes in Dubai. More houses will be delivered soon, and in particular there will be a focus on those with a value of more than 2 million dirhams. This is because it is the requirement for obtaining the UAE’s Golden Visa, and with recent regulations allowing buyers to obtain ten-year residency without having to pay the minimum of 1 million dirhams for a 2 million dirham home purchase.
GCC Investment Programs and Visas
Some other Gulf Cooperation Council states are implementing their own versions of long-term residency programs, with Saudi Arabia making a determined commitment to opening up the residential real estate market to foreign investors. The minimum investment is 4 million riyadh.
“Over a 5-7 year time horizon, real estate prices in Riyadh and Jeddah are expected to double and overall Saudi real estate market volumes to grow 4-5 times,” said Vasily Fetisov, Managing Partner at consulting firm Housebook. “A key driver of this growth would be the increase in the share of foreign buyers, from a few percentage points today to at least 50% within that period.”
For now, the SAR 4 million threshold for obtaining a Golden Visa (ikama) remains high, even for many HNWIs, as Saudi Arabia is often seen as an element of a diversified global real estate portfolio, rather than a primary investment destination.
Increase property taxes
Other factors will play in favor of the GV programs of the Gulf countries. Some of the more established investment destinations in the West are raising – or plan to do so – property taxes. Spain, for example, has abandoned the Golden Visa program. And there is always the fear that some of these economies may impose a tax on the super-rich.
“In terms of the number of applications and visa processing, the UAE currently far outperforms other regions, not only because it offers a broader residency program, but because it has also become a highly sought-after destination to live and work,” Libbie said.
In many ways, the UAE’s Golden Visa program, backed by real estate, offers more miles to earn.
Other GCC markets are changing their Golden Visa offerings
Almost all Gulf Cooperation Council countries offer golden visa options or long-term residency programs. “Most have higher investment requirements and stricter eligibility criteria, making them less accessible and less attractive than the options currently offered by the UAE,” said Libbie Burtinshaw of Sovereign PPG.
“We are actively watching the other Gulf Cooperation Council countries adjust and improve their residency offer to be able to compete and attract foreign investment after the success of the UAE’s programs.”
More and more private developers are aiming to enter Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, projects are becoming increasingly ambitious, both government and private (such as the Trump Tower). And there are more and more developers who want to get into the industry.
“We are currently working with three Russian developers who are actively exploring the Saudi market for residential and commercial projects, including hotels and co-living concepts,” said Vasily Fetisov, Managing Partner of Housebook.
Two of these developers are already carrying out projects in the UAE and have experience in expanding into international markets, from legal frameworks and fund transfers to land acquisition and construction in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The third developer operates in the CIS markets (Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan) and has a specific interest in entering the Saudi market.
