Foreign investors eyeing the UAE’s coveted 10-year Golden Visa no longer need to pay half the value of their property in cash before lodging an application. According to a policy brief published by specialist outlet *Times of Visa* on 12 April, the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) will accept a bank guarantee covering the full AED 2 million (US $545,000) purchase price in lieu of a 50 per-cent down-payment. The change, effective from February but only formally gazetted on 11 April, is a game-changer for mortgage-backed and off-plan buyers who previously had to wait until construction milestones pushed their equity above the 50-per-cent threshold. Under the revised rules, developers or banks issue a guarantee in a prescribed format, enabling applicants to submit for residency as soon as contracts are executed. Real-estate brokers report a surge in enquiries from Indian, Russian and European buyers seeking to lock in residency while projects are still on the drawing board—a trend that could accelerate cash flows for developers and cement Dubai’s position in the global investment-migration league table. Corporate-mobility specialists also see strategic benefits: multinational companies can now incorporate the Golden Visa into executive-relocation packages earlier, reducing dependence on employer-sponsored residence permits that tie staff to a single entity. There are, however, compliance pitfalls. Immigration consultants warn that guarantees must match GDRFA wording exactly; any deviation triggers a rejection and fresh attestation fees. Moreover, the property must be registered in the Ejari system before visa stamping—a step that can be overlooked in off-plan scenarios. Buyers are advised to coordinate closely with their bank, developer and PRO to synchronise timelines. Tax advisers note that the rule further differentiates Dubai from competing programmes in Portugal and Greece, both of which have raised investment thresholds and tightened real-estate categories. At a time when regional security issues are prompting some expatriates to reconsider mobility plans, the added financing flexibility is expected to keep demand for Dubai property—and long-term residency—robust through at least Q4 2026.
Source: Times of Visa
