Abu Dhabi Investor Visas

The emirate of Abu Dhabi attracts a large flow of overseas investors due to high returns on real estate investment, as well as the political stability in the UAE. Investors can apply for two types of long-term residence visas which include a 10-year Investor Visa and a 10-year Real Estate Investor Visa. We have prepared a special article with the description of requirements and nuances of obtaining these two types of investor visas in Abu Dhabi.

There are no age restrictions for obtaining an Investor Visa in Abu Dhabi and applicants may apply for a visa as long as they meet the necessary eligibility criteria. The benefits of Investor Visas include long-term residency in the UAE, as well as the ability to work and invest in the country. The holders of an Investor Visa can sponsor spouses, children, parents, and dependent siblings, depending on the visa category.

Applicants who want to obtain an Investor Visa within the UAE need to submit a valid medical insurance policy. Applicants from outside the state will need to contact Daman Health Insurance to arrange for a 6-month medical insurance policy. Individuals can email [email protected] for further details.

Note! The Golden Visa processing center that handles the Investor Visa applications will also handle the Emirates ID’s issued by The Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship for the applicants.

There are two types of Investor Visas in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, such as an Investor Visa and a Real Estate Investor Visa. Both types of visas are long-term with a duration of 10 years.

Investor Visa

The applicant for this type of visa must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• A minimum value of AED 2M (USD 545K) in the form of a deposit, a company or a share in a company. The individual must maintain the investment for at least 2 years after the Golden Visa has been issued.
• Tax payment for the minimum amount of AED 250K (USD 68K) per year for 2 years prior to the application. The investor needs to provide proof of the tax payment. For example, if the investor owns 25% of shares in a company which pays annual taxes worth AED 1M (USD 272K), then the investor needs to provide proof of paying AED 250K (USD 68K) per year in order to qualify for the visa.

Requirements for obtaining a visa

To apply for a 10-year Abu Dhabi Investor Visa, individuals will need to provide the necessary documents, depending on their type of investment:

• Proof of deposit. Investors should provide a statement issued by an investment fund licensed within the UAE, with proof of a deposit of at least AED 2M (USD 545K). The investor must undertake to serve notice in the event of cashing the deposit. It is also necessary to provide a letter of guarantee or a letter of continuity from an investment fund licensed in the UAE, stating that the deposit will continue for 2 years.
• Proof of establishment of company or proof of partnership. The investor has to provide a valid copy of the company’s trade license or of the existing partnership, established in Abu Dhabi. A letter from a bank or an investment fund licensed to operate in the UAE, proving the investor’s capital in the company or that the partnership amounts to at least AED 2M (USD 545K), is also necessary.
• For companies whose capital has not been updated in the Memorandum of Association. A certificate of the company value must be issued by an audit company that is accredited by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), serving as proof that the minimum value of the investor’s share in the company is worth at least AED 2M (USD 545K).
• For the tax payment proof. The investor has to provide proof of tax payment for the minimum amount of AED 250K (USD 68K) per year for 2 years prior to the application.
• Regarding investors in companies. It is necessary to provide a copy of the commercial registration of the establishment or a company, proving that there is no legal case against the company or against the share of the investor.

Pay attention! The investor must provide a written acknowledgement stating that the investor will maintain AED 2M (USD 545K) for at least 2 years after the issuing of the Golden Visa. If the investor fails to maintain this investment, they must provide proof of transferring the residence to another visa category, according to the UAE law.

An individual is eligible if they fulfil one of the following criteria:

• To own a property or properties with a minimum value of AED 2M (USD 545K) without a mortgage. The applicant has to maintain the investment for at least 2 years after the issuing of the Golden Visa.
• To have off-plan investments in one or more properties valued at no less than AED 2M (USD 545K) and purchased from local development companies approved by the related local authority.

Pay attention! A mortgage is permitted for real estate property valued at more than AED 2M (USD 545K) and the value of the investor’s capital in mortgaged property needs to be at least AED 2M (USD 545K). For example, if a real estate property is worth AED 6M (USD 1.4M), the outstanding mortgage principal cannot exceed AED 4M (USD 1.1M).

Requirements for obtaining an Investor Visa

To apply for a 10-year Real Estate Investor Visa, individuals will need to provide the necessary documents, depending on their type of investment:

• For fully owned real estate. It is necessary to provide a copy of the purchase agreement, registered with the DMT or any other body in charge of real estate, as well as a real estate unit value certificate issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) or any other competent body in charge of real estate registration. Another obligatory document is a certificate issued by DMT or any other body in charge of real estate with details of the landlord and the assessed value of the property at the time of purchase, proving it is no less than AED 2M (USD 545K).
• For mortgaged real estate. The investor has to provide a real estate unit value certificate, which is issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) or any other competent body in charge of real estate registration. The additional obligatory document is a search certificate or any other certificate issued by the DMT or any other competent entity in charge of real estate registration, proving that the property is worth at least AED 2M (USD 545K) and is not subject to any mortgage or seizure.
• For off-plan real estate. Investors should provide a purchase agreement from one of the approved real estate development companies with proof of the landlord, the real estate, and the value at the time when the property was purchased, which should be valued at no less than AED 2M (USD 545K).

Individuals can apply for an Investor Visa and Real Estate Investor Visa through the Abu Dhabi Residents Office or submit their application online through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) at: https://icp.gov.ae.

If you have any questions, you may contact Abu Dhabi Residents Office via email on: [email protected] or call Abu Dhabi Government Services (TAMM) via phone:

• For local calls: 800 555
• For international calls: +971 2 666 4442

Our company, Metropolitan Capital Real Estate provides assistance to real estate investors who want to apply and obtain a 10-year Abu Dhabi Real Estate Investor Visa. Our highly qualified specialists will answer all your questions regarding the nuances of obtaining an Abu Dhabi Golden Visa. We also provide services of buying, selling and renting property in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as our property management service.