Further developments have emerged in relation to UAE Golden Visa eligibility criteria, particularly for applications submitted under the “Highly Skilled Professional” and “Executive” categories. Building on trends highlighted in our December 2025 alert, we continue to see evolving factors influencing how eligibility is assessed in practice. At the same time, recent updates to Dubai’s property-linked residency framework indicate a more flexible approach to investor’s residence eligibility, potentially expanding access for certain property owners and co-investors.
Employer and application-related considerations
As part of the continuing evolution of the UAE Golden Visa framework, eligibility for applications under the “Highly Skilled Professional” and “Executive” categories remains subject to a range of factors relating to both the applicant and their employment circumstances. As outlined in our December 2025 alert, this typically includes factors such as salary level, length of employment, and supporting documentation requirements.
In practice, application outcomes may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction and the overall profile of the application. As a result, a preliminary eligibility assessment is recommended prior to submission to help reduce the risk of delays, additional scrutiny, or refusal.
Revised eligibility criteria — Investor Residence Permit
Recent updates to Dubai’s property-linked residency framework have revised the eligibility criteria for the two-year investor residence permit. Under the updated rules:
· The previous minimum property value requirement of AED 750,000 for sole owners has been removed, provided the applicant is the sole legal owner of the property.
· For jointly owned properties, eligibility is assessed based on each owner’s individual share in the property. Each co-owner must hold a minimum ownership share valued at AED 400,000 to qualify independently for the visa.
These changes reflect a more flexible approach to property-linked residency eligibility and may broaden access for certain categories of investors.
For employees, Golden Visa eligibility is becoming increasingly dependent not only on meeting core individual criteria, but also on broader factors relating to the sponsoring employer and the overall application profile. In practice, applicants are generally expected to demonstrate:
· A minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 per month, excluding allowances such as housing and transportation.
· Evidence that this level of basic salary has been consistently paid for the previous two years.
· Continuous employment of more than two years with the current employer at the time of application.
· Compliance with other applicable eligibility and documentary requirements, which may vary depending on the relevant authority and jurisdiction. For example, the headcount of the employer may be relevant.
For employers, these developments reinforce the importance of reviewing both employee eligibility and the broader organisational context before initiating applications. Submitting applications without a prior assessment may result in delays, additional scrutiny, or refusals.
For investors, recent updates to Dubai’s property-linked residency framework are likely to be viewed positively, as the revised criteria may broaden access to investor residence permits for a wider range of property owners and create greater flexibility for those seeking longer-term residency options in the UAE.
At Vialto, we support businesses and individuals in understanding the evolving UAE immigration landscape and assessing how changing Golden Visa requirements may apply in practice. Our support includes:
· Advising on Golden Visa eligibility for employees, executives, and investors across different UAE jurisdictions.
· Providing guidance on complex scenarios, including jurisdictional considerations, employment structures, and evolving eligibility expectations.
· Supporting workforce planning and mobility decisions in light of changing eligibility criteria and evidentiary requirements.
· Offering practical insights on emerging UAE immigration developments to support ongoing compliance and planning.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Anir Chatterji
EMEA Immigration Partner
Rekha Simpson
Director, Middle East Immigration
Ananth Prasad
Senior Manager, Middle East Immigration
Nasrine Abdi
Manager, Middle East Immigration
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