Mandate: UAE Golden Visa
UAE 10-Year Residency.
Via property. No minimum stay.
The UAE Golden Visa has become one of the more consequential structural decisions available to internationally mobile investors. The mechanics are straightforward; the implications — particularly the tax position — are broader than most buyers initially consider.
The 2026 Position
What the Golden Visa actually means for investors
The UAE Golden Visa is not simply a residency permit. For internationally mobile investors, the tax and planning implications are often more significant than the residency itself.
AED 2,000,000 threshold — approximately £415,000
The current threshold for the 10-year property investor route is AED 2,000,000. The property can be off-plan, mortgaged, or completed. There is no minimum stay requirement once the visa is granted — which distinguishes it from most comparable programmes globally.
No income tax. No CGT. No inheritance tax.
UAE tax residency carries no personal income tax, no capital gains tax on property disposals, and no inheritance tax. For a UK non-domiciled individual or an internationally mobile professional, the interaction between UAE tax residency and UK tax exposure is a planning consideration that warrants specific advice.
The investment and the visa are compatible
The question most investors ask is whether the UAE property that qualifies for the visa also represents a sound standalone investment. In most cases, the two objectives are compatible — particularly in the Saadiyat Cultural District and the Aldar coastal portfolio, where supply is structurally constrained and institutional ownership is significant.
Co-ownership now qualifies at AED 400,000 per owner
Dubai has recently eased the two-year investor visa threshold, with co-ownership now qualifying at AED 400,000 per owner. The 10-year Golden Visa threshold of AED 2,000,000 remains unchanged. Off-plan and mortgaged properties qualify for the 10-year route.
Current Portfolio
Qualifying developments — AED 2M+ threshold
All developments below are Aldar Properties projects where CM² is an authorised buy-side partner. No buyer fees. Verified pricing and allocation status available on request.
| Development | Location | Type | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saadiyat Lagoons | Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi | Villas & Townhouses | AED 2,100,000 |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences | Saadiyat Cultural District | Apartments | AED 2,500,000 |
| The Source | Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi | Villas | AED 2,200,000 |
| The Wilds | Al Barari, Dubai | Villas & Mansions | AED 3,200,000 |
| Haven | Dubailand | Villas & Townhouses | AED 2,100,000 |
Prices are indicative and subject to availability. Off-plan prices may change. UAE residency rules are subject to change. This does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
Advisory Note
The tax and planning implications
The UAE Golden Visa is not a residency permit in the conventional sense. There is no minimum stay requirement — the visa holder can spend as little or as much time in the UAE as they choose. This distinguishes it from the Portuguese Golden Visa (7 days per year minimum), the Greek Golden Visa (no minimum but physical presence required for renewal), and most other comparable programmes.
The tax implications are the more consequential consideration for most investors. UAE tax residency — which requires physical presence of 183 days per year, separate from the visa itself — carries no personal income tax, no capital gains tax on property disposals, and no inheritance tax. For a UK non-domiciled individual, the interaction between UAE tax residency and the UK's remittance basis is a planning consideration that requires specialist advice.
For UK-domiciled investors, the position is more complex. UK tax residency is determined by the Statutory Residence Test, which is based on days spent in the UK and other factors. Holding a UAE Golden Visa does not automatically confer UAE tax residency, and UK tax obligations continue until the SRT criteria for non-residency are met.
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.
Request a Briefing
Qualifying developments and current pricing
Tell us your budget and timeline. CM² will provide a note on qualifying developments, current pricing, and payment structures — with no buyer fees on all Aldar Properties developments.