Property experts weigh in as Dubai scraps Dhs750k visa threshold
Developers and market analysts say the move could unlock new demand, deepen liquidity and accelerate Dubai’s shift towards long-term residency-led homeownership
01 May, 2026
TT
16
Dubai’s decision to scrap the minimum property value requirement for its two-year investor visa is being welcomed by industry players as a significant step towards widening access to the real estate market and unlocking a new layer of demand.
Developers, brokers and investment platforms say the move — which removes the Dhs750,000 threshold for sole owners while introducing a Dhs400,000 minimum per investor for jointly owned assets — marks a clear pivot towards inclusivity, targeting a broader base of buyers rather than purely high-value investors.
Read more: Dubai drops Dhs750k property threshold for solo investor visas
The update, published via the Dubai Land Department’s Cube platform, replaces a headline price requirement with a more nuanced framework tied to ownership structure. Sole owners can now qualify regardless of the property’s value, provided it is officially registered, while co-investors must each hold at least Dhs400,000 to be eligible, closing a loophole that previously allowed smaller pooled investments to meet residency criteria.
Widening access, unlocking demand
Ajay Rajendran, founder and chairman of Meraki Developers, said the move “reinforces the government’s commitment to making property ownership more accessible, opening the market to a wider pool of investors.”
He added that by lowering barriers to entry, the policy is expected to “attract a new wave of first-time buyers and younger investors, while driving increased activity across entry-level and mid-market segments.”
Rajendran noted that the implications extend beyond transaction volumes. The change could also shift behaviour in the market, encouraging more residents to transition from renting to ownership.
“Over time, this is likely to support a broader shift from transient residency toward long-term homeownership, as more individuals choose to invest in properties they live in rather than rent,” he said, adding that the reforms strengthen Dubai’s positioning as both an investment hub and a long-term residential destination.
Zhou Yuan, operations director at Tomorrow World Real Estate Development, echoed this sentiment, describing the move as one that enhances Dubai’s accessibility for a wider demographic.
“Removing the minimum property value requirement for the two-year owner visa strengthens Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most accessible and investor-friendly real estate markets,” he said.
“This change opens the door for a wider base of end-users and long-term residents, particularly mid-income families and individuals who want to build a life in Dubai without relying on employment-linked visas.”
He added that the policy is likely to expand and diversify demand across mid-market and upper-mid segments, supporting “healthier absorption of upcoming supply” and contributing to more stable sales volumes over time.
Entry-level boost and ripple effects
Market analysts say the most immediate impact will be felt at the lower end of the market, particularly in the sub-Dhs1m segment, where affordability has historically been tied to visa eligibility.
Donna Lee-Elliott, chief of sales at OCTA Properties, described the update as “a meaningful policy shift” that directly widens the buyer pool.
“By eliminating the Dhs750,000 threshold for single ownership and reducing the minimum share for jointly owned properties to Dhs400,000, the move directly lowers the barrier to residency-linked ownership,” she said.
“The practical effect will be felt most acutely in the sub-Dhs 1 million segment, where studios and one-bedroom units stand to benefit from a measurable uptick in demand.”
Lee-Elliott added that stronger activity at the entry level is likely to create a knock-on effect across the market.
“As demand strengthens at the entry level, it naturally creates upward movement across the pricing ladder, with mid-market properties benefiting from increased liquidity and buyer progression,” she said.
She also pointed to implications for the secondary market, noting that “more flexible entry points improve liquidity and support transaction volumes, two indicators that reflect genuine market health beyond headline price movements.”
However, she cautioned that the impact will be limited at the top end of the market.
“At the prime and luxury end, the impact will be limited. This initiative is not a policy designed to move that segment,” she said, adding that its primary role is to deepen participation rather than drive price growth.
A deliberate long-term strategy
For some industry watchers, the significance of the move goes beyond immediate market activity and points to a broader strategic direction.
Ammar Malhi, COO of SmartCrowd, said the previous Dhs750,000 threshold had acted as more than just a financial barrier.
“The Dhs750,000 floor wasn’t just a number. It was a psychological barrier that kept a segment of buyers from seeing Dubai property as a realistic path to residency,” he said.
“A lot of low- and mid-market buyers were close but not close enough, and that gap mattered more than people realise.”
He said the removal of the threshold for sole owners, alongside the Dhs400,000 requirement for joint investors, sends a clear signal about Dubai’s long-term ambitions.
“Removing it for sole owners… signals that Dubai is serious about widening participation in its real estate market, not just attracting high-ticket buyers,” he said.
Malhi added that the move aligns with a broader pattern of policy adjustments aimed at reducing friction for investors, including recent changes to Golden Visa requirements.
“That’s not a coincidence. It’s a deliberate market strategy, and for anyone watching where this city is heading long term, moves like this tell you more than the transaction volume numbers do,” he said.
Reshaping ownership dynamics
Beyond demand, the policy is expected to influence how deals are structured across the market.
While sole ownership becomes more attractive for visa eligibility, the Dhs400,000 per-investor rule for joint ownership is likely to push buyers towards larger individual stakes or fewer co-investors per asset.
At the same time, Rajendran noted that the revised framework could still support collaborative ownership models, particularly at higher ticket sizes, while ensuring each investor maintains meaningful capital exposure.
The changes form part of Dubai’s evolving property-linked residency system, which now spans multiple tiers designed to cater to different investor profiles.
As of 2026, the framework includes a 10-year Golden Visa requiring a minimum Dhs2m property investment, a two-year investor visa targeting entry-level buyers, and a five-year retiree visa requiring Dhs1m in fully paid property or equivalent financial criteria.
Earlier this year, authorities also removed the Dhs1m upfront payment requirement for Golden Visa eligibility, allowing investors to qualify based on total property value recorded in title deeds or Oqood contracts.
Taken together, industry players say the latest changes reinforce Dubai’s strategy of positioning itself not just as a global investment hub, but as a long-term residential destination: one that is increasingly accessible to a broader spectrum of buyers.
