Permanent residence through investment (or residence permit through investment) is a form of residency status granted to foreign nationals in exchange for making specific investments in the host country’s economy. Depending on the jurisdiction, such investments may include:
- investments in government bonds;
- purchase of real estate meeting a minimum value threshold;
- investments in business or company registration;
- other forms of long-term capital investment.
As a rule, investment-based residency programs allow investors to obtain the same status for their family members, including spouses and children. This overview examines the main approaches to obtaining permanent or temporary residence through investment in different countries and provides a detailed analysis of the opportunities offered by Dubai and the UAE as a whole.
International permanent residence by investment programs: examples and requirements
Requirements for obtaining residency through investment vary significantly by country. In most cases, jurisdictions offer a single primary investment route, with relatively high investment thresholds.
For example:
- Portugal offers the so-called Golden Visa program, under which the minimum investment may start from EUR 1,000,000 in the form of direct investments in business or financial instruments. Investments must generally be maintained in the country for at least five years.
- The United Kingdom offers an investor visa for investments of at least GBP 2,000,000 in government bonds or share capital. Investments in companies directly linked to real estate are generally not permitted.
- Cyprus also sets an investment threshold of approximately EUR 2,000,000 for obtaining residency through investment.
As these examples show, investment requirements under most European programs are high, while available options remain limited.
Permanent or temporary residence through investment in the UAE: two practical options
Unlike many other countries, the United Arab Emirates offers two fully functional options for obtaining residency through investment, making the system more flexible and adaptable to different investor objectives:
1. Residency visa through real estate investment
To obtain residency through property ownership in the UAE, the property must be valued at at least AED 1,000,000 (approximately USD 273,000). This option is particularly attractive to investors focused on capital preservation and rental income.
2. Residency visa through company registration
The second option is obtaining residency through company registration in the UAE. In this case, the total cost of the solution, including business registration, licensing, and related expenses, may start from approximately USD 10,000, which is highly competitive by international standards.
Both options allow investors to sponsor residency visas for family members and do not require large non-refundable contributions to government funds or bonds.
Taxation and economic advantages of UAE residency
When choosing an investment-based residency program, key considerations include not only the investment amount but also:
- country security;
- infrastructure quality;
- quality of life;
- and, most importantly, the tax regime after obtaining residency.
In this respect, the UAE occupies a unique position. There is no personal income tax for individuals, meaning that residents’ income – whether earned in the UAE or abroad – is not subject to it.
It is also worth noting that when choosing the real estate investment route, rental yields in Dubai generally exceed comparable returns in many European and traditional investment jurisdictions.
Long-term prospects: residency for up to 10 years
As part of its migration policy development, the UAE has introduced extended residency formats in recent years. One such instrument is the long-term residency visa of up to 10 years, granted to investors, entrepreneurs, and other eligible categories of applicants, subject to meeting established criteria.
This visa may be renewed and is considered a long-term solution for those planning to link their lives, businesses, or investments to the UAE.
Conclusion
The combination of a relatively low investment threshold, flexible available solutions, the absence of personal income taxation, and a high level of security makes Dubai and the UAE, overall, among the most attractive jurisdictions for obtaining residency through investment.
