Citizenship by Investment in Dubai

Updated on Friday 14th October 2022

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In the past few years, the UAE has become a pioneer among Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) as it has invested a lot in attracting foreign investors and talented and skilled people interested in relocating to the Middle East and obtaining a Dubai investment visa.

One of the major changes has surged in 2021, when the UAE government has enabled the citizenship by investment scheme, thus enabling foreigners to apply for UAE passports without having to go through some of the most stringent requirements imposed at worldwide level. Considering most foreign citizens decide for Dubai, our immigration lawyers in Dubai will present the main requirements of this new program from this perspective. If you are interested in UAE citizenship by investment, feel free to get in contact with us.

Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)	EU and non-EU
Business investment option	Yes
Real estate investment option	Yes
Other investment options (if available)	- investment fund capital injection, - investments in other indutries than real estate
Residence or direct citizenship option	5 and 10-year visas availability based on investment
Direct immigration with family members	Yes
Family members allowed to join the program	Spouse and children
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment	Long-term residence is available only
Dual citizenship permitted	Yes
Reasons to choose Dubai	- no personal income tax, - access to multiple investment possbilities, - new program dedicated to foreign citizens
Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)	Approx. 167 countries

Below, we invite you to read about the main conditions for obtaining Dubai citizenship by investment. Our lawyers in Dubai can help you prepare for immigration to UAE under this program and obtaining UAE citizenship by investment.

The UAE citizenship by investment amount depends on the type of investment selected.

The Dubai citizenship by investment scheme – a program for most expats

Compared to other countries, the UAE does not require foreign citizens interested in obtaining citizenship by investment in Dubai to file any application, as the Executive Councils, Rulers and Crown Princes Courts will choose the applicants.

Here are the main categories of foreign citizens who want to apply for UAE citizenship by investment:

scientists and engineers;
doctors;
artists and authors.

These can immigrate to Dubai with their families, therefore, the program extends to the main nominee and his/her close family.

For those interested, there is also the option of receiving a Dubai investment visa by opening companies in Dubai.

Our Dubai law firm can explain the entire procedure of relocating here through this program.

Special categories of immigrants who qualify for immigration by citizenship by investment in Dubai

The recently amended legislation provides for certain categories of foreigners who already live in the UAE to apply for Dubai investment visa. These are:

investors who own real estate in any Emirate;
doctors, scientists and engineers with more than 10 years of experience in their fields;
inventors who have at least one patent acknowledged by the UAE government;
artists and other creatives who have won at least one international award.

These can also include their spouses and minor dependent children in the application for an UAE passport by investment.

If you fall under any of the categories above and are interested in Dubai citizenship by investment, you can inquire with our lawyers about the process of applying for a UAE passport, so you can start the immigration procedure as soon as possible.

Feel free to send us your inquiries about the UAE citizenship by investment amount. We also invite you to read our infographic below:

The possibility of acquiring citizenship by investment through companies in Dubai

Dubai was always open for foreign investors interested in having their own businesses in the UAE, however, with this new immigration rules things have gotten even better, as from the 49% share of foreign ownership available until now, overseas enterprisers can now fully own a Dubai-based company.

Many entrepreneurs remember this option being valid in Dubai free zones only until now.

Foreigners who own properties and want to start their own businesses now have the option of applying for citizenship by investment through companies in Dubai and obtain a Dubai investment visa.

This is a great choice for enterprisers interested in making good profits in one of the greatest business hubs in the Middle East by obtaining UAE residency by investment.

You can rely on our immigration lawyers in Dubai if you want to register a company in this Emirate and get UAE citizenship by investment. We also invite you to watch our video below:

Immigration to Dubai by residency or citizenship by investment?

Foreign citizens interested in relocating and/or getting UAE citizenship by investment have the option of choosing between residency or citizenship by investment in Dubai. The main difference between them is the fact that while there are no restrictions for those interested in applying for residency, when it comes to citizenship, the nominees are elected by the Executive Council, Ruler, or Crown Prince Courts in Dubai.

Apart from these, the Dubai residence program comes with the following investment requirements:

a public investment of at least 10 million AED or approximately 2.3 million USD in various assets;
real estate property purchase with a value of at least 1 million AED or approximately 273,000 USD;
business creation which can require investment in a project with a minimum capital of 500,000 AED.

Each investment option comes with long-term UAE residency by investment for the main applicant and close family members followed by citizenship, for those interested.

People who want to apply for citizenship by investment based on companies in Dubai also have several residency options.

Who can apply for residency by investment in Dubai?

The most interesting fact about the Dubai residency by investment scheme is that it is open to various types of applicants, meaning it addresses businesspersons and skilled persons who do not necessarily want to have their own companies here. Students with exceptional capabilities can also apply for such a visa.

Another interesting fact is that such a visa is not issued through the regular application procedure, as it is awarded by the Dubai’s Executive Councils, Rulers and Crown Princes Courts.

If the program has caught your attention and want to know more about it, you can obtain detailed information from our lawyers in Dubai.

If you want to immigrate to Dubai by other means, our specialists can help you.

Investment options for applicants

There are several options for those interested in obtaining Dubai permanent residency by investment, among which:

business investment which enables applicants to start businesses in Dubai;
real estate acquisition which is the visa is also called the Dubai property investment visa;
retirement is also an option for those who want to relocate to Dubai;
investment in various assets approved by government is also available.

If you are interested in buying a property in Dubai to obtain a residence visa, you can rely on our immigration lawyers for support in drafting the necessary paperwork.

Permanent residency in Dubai can imply obtaining a 3, 5, or 10-year visa depending on the amount invested. No matter the way you relocate to Dubai, our law firm can help you prepare the necessary papers for submission.

Also known as the 3-year investor visa in Dubai, it implies a long-term residence permit that can be obtained without having to go through very stringent requirements.

If you are interested in the investor visa, our lawyers in Dubai invite you to read about it below. We are at your disposal with support in a applying for it.

Who was the lifetime investor visa in Dubai created for?

The Dubai investment visa aims at attracting specialized people and investors willing to relocate to the Emirate on a long term.

Also known as the lifetime investor visa in Dubai, as it enables foreign citizens to immigrate here and obtain permanent residence, this type of permit can be awarded to:

specialists in medical fields, scientists, and engineers with more than 10 years of experience (which must be proved);
inventors who have patented inventions recognized by the UAE;
artists who are recognized worldwide or who have won international prizes;
foreign investors who have acquired real estate, which why the program is also known as the investor visa in Dubai based on property investment.

If you need information on the Dubai investor visa cost, our lawyers can advise you.

How can the 3-year investor visa in Dubai be obtained?

One of the special aspects or, better said, novelties of this program is that those who qualify for the lifetime investor visa in Dubai are only required to file information about their work, acknowledgements, or proof of owning real estate in order to be nominated by the Executive Councils, Rulers, or Crown Princes Courts for the residence permit.

With a simple process, this visa takes residency options in Middle Eastern countries to a new level. However, it is also a known fact that Dubai’s workforce is made in a large percentage of foreign workers who have proved their value over the years. The same applies to foreign investors who run companies in Dubai and its free zones.

If you are interested in the investor visa in Dubai based on property purchase, we invite you to discuss with our lawyers and check your eligibility criteria.

Our law firm in Dubai can also guide entrepreneurs who want to set up businesses here, especially since new rules have been implemented with respect to the ownership in mainland companies.

The Dubai investment visa

Foreign nationals who want to open their own companies or make investments in an existing company in Dubai can apply for the Dubai investor visa, also known as the Dubai partner visa. By comparison, UAE’s citizenship by investment scheme offers additional options for those who decide to move here. Among them:

real estate investment;
retirement;
long-term residency.

Since the program addresses investors mainly, citizenship by investment by creating companies in Dubai is one of the most interesting possibilities.

This visa, often referred to as the Dubai partner visa, is a great choice for foreign citizens who want to launch their own businesses in Dubai or make an investment in an already-existing company. They may also sponsor family members while residing and working in the UAE. The visa comes with a 3-years validity period.

If you want to know more about the differences and resemblances between the Dubai citizenship by investment and partner visa programs, feel free to address our lawyers.

Requirements to obtain an investor visa in Dubai

The Dubai investment visa regulations state that only people who purchase shares in an existing company for a minimum of AED 72,000 (approx.. USD 20,000) or who register companies with a capital investment of the same amount are eligible for this it.

Here are the documents to prepare when applying for this visa:

a passport copy and a recent photo;
proof of submitting the minimum amount for the purchase of the shares or capital investment (a bank statement indicating the amount);
a copy of the company’s business license.

Additionally, if the investor moves to Dubai with the family, identification papers of the dependents must also be submitted.

An important aspect to consider is that one has the possibility to invest a company in Dubai (a sponsor is required) or in a Dubai free zone (no sponsor is required in this case).

Feel free to request detailed information on both UAE’s citizenship by investment and the Dubai investment visa in order to make the right decision in case you qualify for both. Our law firm in Dubai can help you set up a business in mainland or in one of the free zones.

What does it imply to obtain a partner visa in Dubai?

The procedures of obtaining Dubai citizenship by investment or partner visas are not that different. In the second situation, the applicant must go to the immigration office and file for an admission permission. Then, a health certificate must be obtained after undergoing a medical examination and, the final step is to apply for an Emirates ID. After this, the visa holder must also acquire a health insurance.

The same procedure will apply for those moving with their families.

With respect to citizenship by investment through companies’ creation in Dubai, feel free to enquire with our specialists about your options and the most prolific business sectors.

Validity of the investor visa in Dubai

The 10-year and 5-year visas for investors in Dubai are among the long-term residence permits available in the UAE. Recently, a 3-year visa has also been added to the program, however, the first two options remain sought.

Creating a business in the United Arab Emirates with a capital of AED 10 million (approx. USD 2.7 million) or entering a company as a partner for the same amount in share purchase is the main requirement for the investment visa. For a 5-year visa, real estate acquisition for half this amount is required.

No matter the way you choose to immigrate to Dubai, if you need support with the application or business creation procedures, do not hesitate to ask for support.

No matter the way you want to apply for an UAE passport by investment, our lawyers in Dubai are at your disposal with tailored immigration services. Do not hesitate to contact us for guidance at any time. We can help you obtain Dubai investment visa as soon as possible.