Major Changes in Dubai. How Will They Affect the Real Estate Market?

Residency Through Property Ownership Is Now Much More Accessible

Dubai Land Department has removed the previous minimum threshold of AED 750,000 for obtaining a two-year residency visa through property ownership.

There is now no minimum property value requirement for individual ownership. For joint ownership, the threshold has been set at AED 400,000 per person.

This is a major shift, as residency is now becoming accessible to a much broader group of people than before.

In practice, this means:

• a lower entry barrier for new investors
• greater market accessibility
• likely growth in demand across lower and mid-market segments

At the same time, Dubai continues integrating the real estate and immigration systems into one streamlined process, making entry into the country significantly easier.

Mortgages for Off-Plan Projects Are Becoming a Reality

Another important shift has come in the financing sector.

Dubai Holding and Emirates NBD have introduced financing options for selected off-plan projects by developers such as Meraas, Nakheel, and Dubai Properties.

The conditions include:

• at least 50% of the purchase price already paid
• at least 30% of the project completed

Just a few years ago, financing off-plan properties was far more complicated and only available on a limited basis.

If this model expands to additional developers, it could significantly improve market liquidity and bring in a new group of buyers who previously could not access financing.

The Golden Line Metro Could Transform New Areas of Dubai

Dubai continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, and one of the most discussed projects today is the Golden Line Metro.

It is expected to become Dubai’s first fully underground metro line and connect several new growth areas across the city.

The line is expected to connect areas such as:

• Business Bay
• Meydan
• Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City)
• Dubai Hills
• Al Barsha South
• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
• Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT)
• Dubai Production City
• Dubai Sports City
• Arabian Ranches
• Dubailand
• Global Village
• Majan
• Tilal Al Ghaf
• Jumeirah Golf Estates

Importantly, many of these locations are among the areas where Dubai has expanded the most in recent years and where new residential developments continue to emerge.

Historically, Dubai’s metro system has had a major influence on:

• accessibility of locations
• speed of development
• and often property price growth around metro stations

This is why investors closely monitor infrastructure projects like these. They often provide a clear indication of where the city is heading next.

Dubai Continues Investing Aggressively in Infrastructure and Finance

Another major focus is the expansion of DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), which aims to become one of the world’s largest financial hubs.

The Zabeel District project, valued at over $27 billion, is expected to:

• accommodate up to 42,000 companies
• combine business, residential, and retail spaces
• connect to the new Dubai Loop transportation system

This is particularly important from a long-term perspective. Dubai continues betting on finance, technology, infrastructure, and attracting international companies.

These sectors are increasingly replacing the economy’s historical dependence on oil.

UAE and OPEC. What Does It Mean for the Real Estate Market?

Recent weeks have also brought increased attention to discussions surrounding the relationship between the UAE and OPEC. The Emirates have long pushed for the ability to increase oil production faster than current OPEC quotas allow.

The UAE aims to increase production capacity to approximately 5 million barrels per day over the coming years, which would bring significantly higher revenues and greater economic flexibility.

From a real estate perspective, what matters most is how the UAE reinvests this capital. The country is already heavily investing in infrastructure, transportation, financial services, technology, and development. These investments continue attracting businesses, residents, and foreign capital.

Dubai is also aggressively expanding its infrastructure. Alongside the Golden Line Metro, current discussions include:

• expansion of Al Maktoum Airport
• the Dubai Loop transportation system
• support for flying taxis and autonomous mobility

The Market Is Growing, but It Is No Longer the Same as Two Years Ago

Dubai’s real estate market is no longer about “buy anything and profit.” The market is becoming far more selective.

The difference between high-quality and average projects is now significantly greater than it was in 2024.

At the same time, a substantial increase in new supply is expected between 2025 and 2026, which could place pressure mainly on weaker projects and lower-quality locations.

That is why today it makes more sense to:

• follow infrastructure development
• choose strong developers
• think long term
• and focus far more on the quality of the specific asset rather than simply the city itself

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