The 2026 Guide to the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for Real Estate Investors: How to Qualify and Apply

The Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for real estate investors is a 10-year residence permit. Resident or non-resident expatriates who have invested in or who own property in Abu Dhabi may apply for this long-term residence visa. It is renewable and covers the real estate investors’ spouses and children.

How do you qualify and apply for the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for real estate or property investors? Read our guide to find out.
 

How to Qualify: Eligibility Criteria

The primary eligibility requirement for obtaining the Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for real estate investors is investment in or ownership of a property worth at least AED 2,000,000. This is also the UAE Golden Visa minimum investment.

Are you eligible to apply for the real estate investor’s Golden Visa? Yes, if:

• You fully own a villa, townhouse, or apartment in Abu Dhabi that is valued at AED 2,000,000 or higher. 

• If the property is worth more than AED 2,000,000, the property can be mortgaged with a national bank, as long as your share of the equity is at least AED 2,000,000.

In other words, if the apartment, townhouse, or villa you bought on a mortgage cost AED 4,000,000, you should have paid AED 2,000,000 out of pocket. The mortgage should cover only the excess amount, so your loan principal couldn’t have been greater than AED 2,000,000.

Note: The Golden Visa is issued on the basis of qualified real estate. Selling your linked Abu Dhabi investor visa property will nullify your Golden Visa, unless you transfer the visa (or link it) to another eligible property beforehand.

The Golden Visa Requirements for 2026

If you qualify for this long-term residency option for real estate investors in Abu Dhabi, prepare the following Golden Visa requirements for 2026:
 

For fully owned real estate

If you fully own property (i.e., no mortgage) in Abu Dhabi, you must prepare either one of these two documents:

• Purchase Agreement: The Purchase Agreement must have been registered with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) or any other authority that processes real estate registration in the UAE. It should contain specific information, including the particulars of the property, the sale, and the parties involved.

• Real Estate Unit Value Certificate: The Real Estate Unit Value Certificate, issued by the DMT or any other government body in charge of real estate registration in the UAE, to prove that the value of your real estate investment is at least AED 2,000,000. 

For mortgaged property

If you used a mortgage for the purchase of your Abu Dhabi property, obtain the following documents:

• Real Estate Unit Value Certificate: The Real Estate Unit Value Certificate, issued by the DMT or any other government body in charge of real estate registration in the UAE, should indicate that your share of the equity is at least AED 2,000,000.

• Search Certificate: The Search Certificate, issued by the DMT or any other government body in charge of real estate registration in the UAE, provides evidence that the property is worth at least AED 2,000,000 and that it’s not subject to a seizure by a judicial authority.

For off-plan property

You can buy an off-plan property in Abu Dhabi and use that for your Golden Visa application. In this case, you must prepare the following documents:

• Purchase Agreement: The Purchase Agreement, issued by one of the approved real estate developers. It should contain specific information, including the particulars of the property, the sale, and the parties involved.

• Evidence of  Payments: Provide a copy of your payment receipts to prove that, so far, you have paid the real estate developer at least AED 2,000,000.

How to Apply: The Specific Steps

Both residents and non-residents of the UAE may apply.
 

UAE Residents

If you’re a UAE resident, proceed to the TAMM government services website. Navigate to Services>Individual>Identity & Citizenship>Residency>Golden Visa Nomination, and follow these steps:

1. Log in using UAE PASS.

2. Fill in your application and submit it with the required documents (e.g., health insurance, passport, residence visa, and the applicable Golden Visa Requirements for 2026 listed above). Take note of your tracking number.

3. Wait for your approval or rejection notice.

Non-UAE Residents

If you are currently not a resident of the UAE (i.e., you don’t have an active residence visa), email e.management@adio.gov.ae with your request for a long-term Abu Dhabi real estate residency on the basis of your property investment.

 

FAQs

What are the 2026 Golden Visa requirements for Abu Dhabi real estate investors?

If you own the property fully, present one of the following: the Purchase Agreement registered with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (or another government authority) or the Real Estate Unit Value Certificate issued by DMT or another authority.

If the property is mortgaged, submit the Real Estate Unit Value Certificate and Search Certificate from the DMT or another government authority. If the property is off-plan, submit your  Purchase Agreement with the approved real estate developer and evidence that you have already paid AED 2,000,000 so far.

What is the minimum property investment to get a Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi?

The minimum property investment to get a Golden Visa in Abu Dhabi is AED 2,000,000. If the property you’re buying is worth AED 2,000,000, you must fully own the property instead of getting a mortgage to pay for it. If the property is worth more than AED 2,000,000 and it’s mortgaged, your share of the equity must be at least AED 2,000,000.
 

Can I combine multiple properties to qualify for a Golden Visa?

Yes, you can combine multiple properties in Abu Dhabi to qualify for a Golden Visa. During application, you must provide evidence that the cumulative value of your property investments is at least AED 2,000,000. Note that if you sell a property, putting your cumulative investment below AED 2,000,000, your Golden Visa will be cancelled.
 

Apply for an Abu Dhabi Golden Visa

If you have property in Abu Dhabi and that property (or your property investment) is valued at AED 2,000,000 or greater, you can apply for the 10-year renewable Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for real estate investors. 

Bloom Holding is a master developer committed to curating premium communities that provide a high standard of living. If you’re looking for property to use for your Golden Visa application, check out our collection of Bloom properties and browse our apartments, townhouses, and villas for sale in Abu Dhabi.