Dubai Granted 66,000 Golden Visas in H1 2026

Dubai issued approximately 66,000 Golden Visas during the first half of 2026, alongside more than 1 million new residence permits, over 900,000 permit renewals, and 5 million entry permit transactions.

The figures, released by Dubai's General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), show that demand for long-term residency remained strong despite regional uncertainty and a cooling property market.

Existing Residents Are Upgrading

According to Rafael Cintron, CEO of Wealthy Expat, much of the activity is being driven by residents upgrading from standard two-year residence permits to the ten-year Golden Visa.

The trend accelerated after Dubai removed the minimum property value requirement for its two-year investor visa earlier this year. Investors can now enter the market at any price level before qualifying for a Golden Visa once their property holdings reach AED 2 million.

Cintron expects this pathway to remain popular, particularly as buyers continue to use off-plan developments to qualify.

Demand Holds Despite Regional Challenges

Jeremy Savory, Founder and CEO of Savory & Partners, believes the latest figures reflect Dubai's long-term appeal as a destination for investors, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families.

He notes that the first half of 2026 tested the UAE with regional conflict, airspace disruptions, and temporary business uncertainty. Despite this, investor confidence remained resilient, supported by the country's stable leadership, low-tax environment, and established residency framework.

While some investors have explored alternative destinations, Savory believes the UAE's response to recent events reinforced confidence rather than weakened it.

Outlook

Both Savory and Cintron expect applications to slow during the second half of the year before recovering as global uncertainty continues to drive demand for stable residency options.

Although annual Golden Visa approvals may remain below the record levels reached in 2023, the latest figures suggest that the UAE continues to attract international investors, with both new applicants and existing residents contributing to demand.