Mandate: UAE Golden Visa
UAE residency and property.
Two decisions, considered together.
For some buyers, residency is part of the reason to buy in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. CM2 helps you assess the property on its own merits and coordinates with specialist advisers on the residency and tax position — CM2 does not give immigration or tax advice.
What to Check
The considerations, in outline
Residency rules change and are applied by the authorities. Treat this page as orientation, not advice.
The AED 2,000,000 property route
The 10-year property investor route has been based on a property value of at least AED 2,000,000. Rules on off-plan, mortgaged and jointly owned property, and on how value is assessed, are set by the authorities and can change. Confirm current eligibility with a UAE immigration specialist before relying on it.
Residency is not the same as tax residency
The UAE does not levy personal income tax. But holding a UAE visa does not by itself change where you are tax resident, and your home country may continue to tax you. The interaction with UK tax in particular needs specialist advice.
Judge the property on its own merits
A property bought partly for residency still has to make sense as a property: price, running costs, rental demand, resale liquidity and off-plan risk. CM2 assesses it the same way as any other acquisition.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai differ
Each emirate applies the rules through its own authorities and processes. CM2 coordinates with specialist advisers so the property decision and the residency application are considered together.
Selected Opportunities
Aldar developments with entry prices above AED 2m
Entry prices from the developer's broker portal (October 2026). A price above AED 2m does not by itself guarantee eligibility — that depends on the unit purchased and the rules at the time. CM2 is an authorised partner of Aldar Properties and is compensated by the developer if you buy.
| Development | Location | Type | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Source II | Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi | Apartments | AED 2,215,600 |
| Fahid Beach Terraces | Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi | Beachfront towers | AED 2,457,300 |
| The Row Saadiyat | Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi | 1–3 bed residences | AED 3,700,000 |
| Fahid Beach Residences | Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi | Residences | AED 4,000,000 |
| Haven (villas) | Dubai | Villas | AED 2,704,486 |
Prices are indicative and subject to availability. Off-plan prices may change. UAE residency rules are subject to change. This does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice.
Advisory Note
The tax and planning implications
A residency visa and tax residency are different things. Holding a UAE visa does not on its own make you UAE tax resident, and it does not end tax residence elsewhere.
For people with UK connections, UK tax residence is determined by the Statutory Residence Test, and the UK's treatment of non-domiciled individuals changed significantly from April 2025. Anyone using UAE residency as part of wider planning should take specialist advice on both sides.
On the property side, the usual questions still apply: price against comparable evidence, service charges, rental demand, resale liquidity, and — for off-plan purchases — construction and handover risk.
CM² does not provide immigration or tax advice. We work with a panel of independent advisers who specialise in UAE residency and the interaction with UK tax obligations. We can make introductions on request.
Private Consultation
Start with your objectives
Tell us your budget, purpose and timeframe. CM2 will assess suitable Abu Dhabi and Dubai options and coordinate with specialist advisers on the residency question. You are not charged a fee by CM2.