By the offplans.com Research Desk · Dubai
One of the biggest regulatory changes of the year has quietly reshaped how property buyers secure long-term UAE residency. A February 2026 circular removed the 50% down-payment requirement from the Golden Visa property-investor route. Eligibility now depends solely on the total DLD-certified property value reaching AED 2 million — regardless of mortgage balance or payment schedule, as reported by Gulf News and Arabian Business.
Crucially, this means off-plan, mortgaged and payment-plan properties now qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa, where previously buyers often needed to hand over half the value upfront. Holders retain the property to keep the visa.
Why it matters
The change aligns the Golden Visa with how most people actually buy — in instalments — and makes off-plan an efficient path to residency. A single AED 2M off-plan purchase on a payment plan can now unlock a decade of self-sponsored residency for the buyer and their family.
See our dedicated Golden Visa guide and browse qualifying off-plan projects from AED 2M.
Looking to act on this? Browse the latest Dubai off-plan projects, compare developers and communities, or speak to our team for tailored guidance.
