Steady demand is being seen from property owners, top-earning professionals, and entrepreneurs pursuing long-term UAE residency, according to consultants.
Residents and investors are increasingly turning to the UAE’s Golden Visa, with long-term residency gaining popularity among professionals and investors amid regional tensions, according to visa consultants and service centres.
Industry representatives report that many applicants are moving forward with plans to secure long-term residency in the UAE, a trend they see as a sign of sustained confidence in the country’s stability and economic outlook.
Since February 28, Iran has carried out missile and drone attacks on several Gulf countries, including the UAE, in response to US-Israel strikes, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in parts of the region. While some international reports have depicted panic and residents leaving the Gulf, industry experts and business leaders in the UAE say the situation on the ground appears far more measured, with continued economic activity and steady interest in long-term residency.
Strong interest in property-linked Golden Visas amid regional tensions
Property-linked Golden Visas are among the categories seeing strong demand, according to Thani B Mubarak, managing director of a service centre in DAFZA. He noted that many property owners are applying for the long-term residency programme, signaling that investors have no immediate plans to sell their assets.
“This is significant because the Golden Visa is linked to the property. If the property is sold, the visa must be cancelled first,” he said. “So if people are applying through property, it shows they do not plan to sell anytime soon.”
Mubarak added that the centre has also seen existing Golden Visa holders applying for their family members. “A lot of people are inquiring about the Golden Visa. Some residents who already hold it are now applying for their family members, including large families of four or more,” he said. He noted that the timing of these applications stood out: “You might expect people to wait for things to cool down, but instead they are proceeding with their applications.”
He also highlighted the confidence of high-net-worth expatriates in remaining in the UAE. “I have non-Emirati friends who are high-net-worth individuals, some with $100 million or even billions, and whether they made their money here or run businesses abroad, they are all staying and have no plans to leave,” he said.
Steady enquiries across categories
Firosekhan, managing director of Arabian Business Centre, said his firm is also seeing steady enquiries for Golden Visa applications, particularly under the property and salary categories. “Even during this situation, we are receiving many enquiries. One of my clients who had been planning to apply approached us to fast-track his application. This reflects how people have great confidence in the UAE and its leadership, and they truly prefer to live and invest here.”
He added that residents earning more than Dh30,000 per month, one of the visa eligibility criteria, are exploring the programme. “Applicants are showing high confidence in staying in the country. We are receiving a lot of enquiries about fast-tracking applications,” he said. According to him, business owners, property investors, and high-salary professionals currently account for most enquiries. “Right now we are seeing increasing demand from property owners and investor visa categories,” he added.
The confidence shown by residents and investors mirrors sentiments expressed by global business leaders and entrepreneurs, many of whom have publicly reaffirmed their faith in the UAE’s resilience despite regional tensions, noting the country’s repeated ability to bounce back during periods of global uncertainty.
