If you’re applying for a Dubai property-based residency visa, the process just got a lot simpler.
As of April 2026, you handle everything in one website with one login and one set of fees.
Who’s affected by this update?
This change covers three popular residency routes:
The agreement does not change who can apply or how much money you need. It only changes how you apply. Each visa keeps its own rules.
| Visa | How long it lasts | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa (property route) | 10 years, renewable | Property valued at AED 2 million or more |
| Property Residency | 2 years, renewable | Property owners below the Golden Visa threshold (typically from AED 750,000) |
| Retiree Residency | 5 years, renewable | Aged 55 or older, with property, savings, or income that meets official criteria |
Other Golden Visa categories — like investors in companies, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, top students, and humanitarian pioneers — are not part of this Dubai change.
Those are run by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
What you actually do differently
You only deal with one website. You upload your documents, pay your fees, and track your application all in one place: gdrfad.gov.ae.
You don’t need to visit the Dubai Land Department separately. The system pulls your property details directly from DLD records.
What you’ll notice during the application:
- One login for documents, payments, and status updates
- Automatic property checks — the system reads your title deed and valuation from DLD
- Instant alerts if something is missing from your file
- Auto-booked biometrics — once you pay, the system gives you a fingerprint appointment at a GDRFA centre
- Faster decisions — GDRFA aims to approve clean files in under five working days
Before this change, the property-based Golden Visa typically took three to six weeks because you had to chase two different offices.
How to apply: a step-by-step
Start at the GDRFA Dubai Golden Visa services page. Property-based applications now go through the unified system automatically.
Have these documents ready before you start:
- Your passport (must be valid for at least six months)
- Your title deed from the Dubai Land Department
- A DLD valuation showing the property is worth AED 2 million or more (for the Golden Visa)
- A passport-size photo in the UAE format
- Health insurance valid in the UAE
- Your Emirates ID application (you’ll do biometrics as part of the process)
Upload everything online. If anything is missing or the wrong format, the platform tells you immediately so you can fix it.
Once you pay the fees, the system books your biometrics appointment at a GDRFA centre automatically. There’s no separate step to schedule it.
If you’re applying from outside the UAE, you can do most of it remotely. You’ll need to come to Dubai once for the biometric (fingerprint and photo) step. Wego can help you find flights to Dubai and hotels in Dubai for that visit.
If you bought your property through an agent or are using an immigration adviser, they can use the platform on your behalf — no separate paperwork needed.
Already started your application? Here’s what to do
If you began applying under the old, split system, contact GDRFA Dubai or your immigration adviser.
Ask whether your file has moved to the new platform or whether you need to do anything to migrate it.
For the latest fees, full document checklists, and category-specific rules, the GDRFA Dubai website is the official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold changed?
No. The new platform only changes how you apply. The minimum property value for the Golden Visa is still AED 2 million.
Can I qualify with an off-plan or mortgaged property?
Yes, since February 2026. The 50% upfront payment rule was removed. As long as the DLD-certified valuation hits AED 2 million, you can qualify regardless of how much you’ve paid so far.
How fast will my Golden Visa be approved?
GDRFA aims for under five working days for files with no errors or missing documents. The old process often took three to six weeks because two offices had to coordinate.
Does this work in Abu Dhabi or other emirates?
No — this is a Dubai-only change. Other emirates run their own residency systems. Abu Dhabi, for example, processes Golden Visa applications through the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) and the TAMM platform.
Can I apply from abroad?
Yes — most steps are online. You can upload documents and pay fees from anywhere. The only in-person step is the biometric appointment, which has to be done at a GDRFA centre in Dubai. The system books that appointment automatically once you’ve paid.
Sources
- Government of Dubai Media Office — GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Land Department Strengthen Government Integration
- UAE Government Portal — Golden Visa Overview and Eligible Categories
- UAE Government Portal — Residence Visa for the Retired
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security — Golden Residency Services
- General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai)
- GDRFA Dubai — Golden Visa Services Page
- Dubai Land Department — Investor Residence Application (Taskeen)
- TAMM Abu Dhabi — Obtain a Golden Visa
- Savory and Partners — Dubai Unifies Golden Visa and Property Residency Applications Under GDRFA Platform
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
