Entrepreneurs and private individuals are increasingly considering obtaining residence abroad. The reasons may vary: changes in the country of residence's economic or political situation, tax considerations, the need for mobility, or the desire for a more comfortable and secure lifestyle.
One of the fastest and most practical ways to address this is to obtain a residence permit through investment. In recent years, many countries have developed special programs that allow applicants to obtain residence by investing in the national economy, most commonly through the purchase of real estate or investments in securities. Such jurisdictions traditionally include Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Latvia, and a number of other countries.
At the same time, it is important to consider that, in most European countries, obtaining a residence permit may automatically or, in the short term, lead to tax residency, with all related tax obligations.
On average, the minimum investment threshold for obtaining residence through real estate in the UAE ranges from EUR 300,000 to EUR 1,000,000, and the overall procedure often takes more than six months.
Obtaining residence through investment in the UAE – fast, reliable, efficient
In the United Arab Emirates, there are two main investment-based mechanisms for obtaining residence:
- through the purchase of real estate;
- through company registration.
Let us consider both options in more detail.
Option 1. Obtaining residence through real estate investment
To obtain residence through real estate, the property must meet established requirements. In particular, the minimum property value must be at least AED 1,000,000 (approximately USD 270,000).
The real estate acquisition process in the UAE usually takes 2–3 weeks, including registration of ownership. For comparison, in most European countries, a similar procedure may take several months.
After completion of the transaction, the residence permit application can be submitted immediately. The average processing time for a residence visa is 2-4 weeks. As a result, the entire process – from decision-making to obtaining residence – takes approximately 1-1.5 months.
Comment: In European jurisdictions, a similar timeframe is often required solely for property registration, without taking the visa process into account.
Option 2. Obtaining residence through company registration in the UAE
The second option is registering a company in the UAE and obtaining investor status with a residence visa.
The process includes:
- company registration (in a free economic zone or on the mainland);
- issuance of an investor residence visa.
The procedure takes approximately 3-4 weeks.
It is important to note that actual business activity through the company is not a mandatory condition for maintaining residence status. At the same time, if the company is used for genuine commercial activity, it may serve as an efficient instrument due to the UAE's favorable tax regime.
This approach is fairly unique: very few developed and economically stable countries offer the possibility of obtaining residence through a company at relatively low cost, without the requirement for mandatory operational activity.
UAE residence and family members
After obtaining UAE residence status through investment, the investor may also apply for residence visas for family members – a spouse and children.
It is important to emphasize that UAE residence does not automatically result in personal tax obligations, as the country does not levy personal income tax. However, tax status in each specific case must be assessed individually, taking into account international tax treaties and the factual place of tax residency.
Conclusion
The UAE represents one of the fastest, most flexible, and most predictable options for obtaining residence through investment – both via real estate and through company registration. The combination of a stable jurisdiction, developed infrastructure, and a favorable tax regime makes this option particularly attractive for entrepreneurs and private investors.
