Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Jul 7: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a sweeping reform to its Golden Visa programme, signaling a major transformation in its residency policy. The new system offers lifetime residency to foreign nationals — including Indians — for a fixed payment of AED 100,000 (approx. Rs 23.3 lakh), marking a shift from its earlier investment-heavy model.

Industry experts say this overhauled structure is more inclusive, aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision, and likely to reshape investment trends, particularly among Indian real estate buyers.

Akash Puri, Director International at India Sotheby’s International Realty, called it a game-changer for Indian investors who had traditionally relied on property purchases as the only viable route to long-term residency in the UAE.

“Earlier, acquiring a Golden Visa meant investing AED 2 million (around Rs 4.7 crore) in real estate for a 10-year renewable visa. This created pressure to buy property primarily for immigration advantages,” Puri explained.

Under the new nomination-based model, the urgency to buy property just for residency could diminish, especially in the mid-market and entry-level segments. This may lead to a cooling of speculative purchases and a shift toward more value-driven investments.

“Investors will now focus more on fundamentals — location, developer credibility, and long-term returns — rather than quick visa gains,” Puri said. “For ultra-HNWIs, the appeal of trophy properties will remain unchanged, but the investment rationale is shifting.”

He added that for Indians, the policy change presents a chance to recalibrate from visa-led decisions to value-led strategies, paving the way for a more mature and stable real estate market in the UAE.

While the UAE government has not yet released an official notification, reports suggest that India and Bangladesh will be part of the first phase of the project, with over 5,000 applications expected in the next three months.

The updated Golden Visa offers more accessibility to those seeking a permanent base in the Middle East, removing previous entry barriers while still encouraging investment through other means.

Industry observers are closely watching the final rollout, which could reshape the Gulf migration landscape, especially for countries like India that have a long-standing economic and expatriate relationship with the UAE.