30 July 2026 · Eligibility
Golden Visa Eligibility Categories 2026
For 2026 the Golden Visa has five qualifying categories, and only one needs to be satisfied. Real-estate investors qualify with property valued at AED 2 million or more, evidenced by a Dubai Land Department valuation — mortgaged and off-plan property now count too. Public investors and business owners qualify through an AED 2 million fund investment, or a company generating AED 2.5 million or more in annual revenue. Skilled professionals qualify on a basic salary from AED 30,000 per month plus a recognised degree. Entrepreneurs qualify with an approved project valued at AED 500,000 or more. Specialists — scientists, doctors, coders, top students and other outstanding talent — qualify through nomination or approval rather than a fixed figure.
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Investors and owners
The two capital-based routes measure different things. The property route looks at the certified value of UAE real estate, not the price you originally agreed or the equity you have paid down — a AED 2.4 million apartment bought with a mortgage still qualifies once its DLD valuation clears AED 2 million. The investment and revenue routes instead look at your fund allocation or your company's top line, evidenced through bank statements, audited accounts, or an approved fund certificate rather than a property valuation.
- Property worth AED 2 million+ (DLD valuation).
- AED 2 million fund investment (approved fund).
- Company with AED 2.5 million+ annual revenue.
- Mortgaged and off-plan property now count (2026 change).
- Combine multiple properties to reach AED 2 million.
- Evidence via valuation certificate, bank statement or audited accounts.
Professionals and specialists
The talent-based routes do not require capital at all. A skilled professional qualifies on a basic monthly salary from AED 30,000, backed by a valid employment contract and a recognised degree — bonuses and allowances are not counted toward the threshold. Entrepreneurs qualify with an approved, innovative project valued at AED 500,000 or more, typically evidenced through a business plan and an approving authority endorsement. Specialists — doctors, scientists, coders and other priority-field professionals — and outstanding students qualify through nomination or approval rather than a salary or capital figure.
- Skilled professionals from AED 30,000/month basic salary.
- Degree required alongside the salary threshold.
- Entrepreneurs with AED 500,000+ approved projects (5-year visa).
- Scientists, doctors and coders via nomination.
- Outstanding students and university graduates.
- Bonuses and allowances generally excluded from the salary test.
Which category actually fits you
Most people qualify for more than one route without realising it, and the strongest choice is not always the most obvious one. A business owner with modest company revenue but a paid-off apartment may find the property route faster to evidence than waiting to hit the AED 2.5 million revenue mark. A salaried professional close to the AED 30,000 threshold might do better structuring compensation correctly than chasing a property purchase. Comparing routes side by side, rather than defaulting to the first one you read about, is usually the difference between a smooth application and a stalled one.
- Compare every route you might qualify for before choosing one.
- Property can be faster to evidence than revenue growth.
- Salary structuring can matter more than the headline number.
- Exiloz benchmarks your profile against every 2026 threshold.
Thresholds can change
Category thresholds are set through administrative decisions rather than fixed permanently in the underlying law, so the figures above reflect the current 2026 schedule and can be revised. The most consequential recent change is the property route's easing — the removal of the old 50%/AED 1 million paid-upfront rule — which shows how quickly a route's practical accessibility can shift. Anyone planning around a specific figure should confirm it is still current before relying on it for a major purchase or hiring decision.
- Thresholds are set administratively, not fixed by statute alone.
- The 2026 property change is the latest example.
- Confirm current figures before a major purchase or hire.
- Exiloz tracks threshold changes across all five routes.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions applicants ask most when matching themselves to a Golden Visa category.
What are the main Golden Visa routes?
Property investor (AED 2 million+ real estate), public investor/business owner (AED 2 million fund investment or AED 2.5 million+ company revenue), skilled professional (AED 30,000+/month salary with a degree), entrepreneur (AED 500,000+ approved project), and specialist/talent (nomination-based). Most applicants only need to satisfy one.
Which route is easiest?
It depends on what you already have rather than which route is objectively simplest. The property route is the most popular because a single AED 2 million asset satisfies it outright, and it became considerably easier in 2026 once mortgaged and off-plan property started counting toward the threshold.
Can employees qualify?
Yes. Skilled professionals on a basic salary from AED 30,000 per month, holding a recognised degree and a valid employment contract, qualify without needing any capital investment at all — this is the main non-investment route into the visa.
Do the property and business owner routes overlap?
They can. A business owner who also holds AED 2 million+ in personal property can usually choose whichever route has cleaner evidence — audited company accounts versus a DLD valuation — rather than being forced into one specific path.
What if I don't meet any single threshold on my own?
Some routes allow combining assets — multiple properties can be added together to reach AED 2 million, for example. Where nothing quite clears a threshold alone, it is worth reviewing whether a combination route or a different category fits better before assuming you do not qualify.
How often do the thresholds change?
Not frequently, but they are set administratively rather than fixed permanently, so they can move — the February 2026 property-rule change is the most recent example. It is worth confirming a figure is current before relying on it for a purchase.
Can Exiloz pick my route?
Yes. We compare your property, business, salary and project against every current threshold, identify the strongest and fastest route, and prepare the evidence package before anything goes to the ICP or GDRFA.
Can I switch categories if my circumstances change?
Yes, in principle. If you no longer meet the basis you were approved under — for example your company revenue drops below AED 2.5 million — but you now hold AED 2 million in property or meet the salary threshold, you can generally re-apply or renew under the new qualifying route instead, provided the evidence supports it.
Find your route
Exiloz benchmarks your property, business, salary or project against every 2026 Golden Visa category and matches you to the strongest one.