Golden Visa through off-plan: the 50% payment rule is gone

What changed in February 2026

Until this year, an off-plan buyer had to pay at least 50% of the price before applying for the Golden Visa. That rule is gone: what matters now is the DLD-registered value of AED 2,000,000 or more. Once your SPA is signed and the unit is registered in Oqood, you can apply — even with a 20% down payment, even with a payment plan or mortgage covering the rest.

What you get

• 10-year renewable residency for you, spouse and children
• No sponsor and no minimum stay requirement to keep it valid
• Sponsoring parents and domestic staff is possible

The practical path

1. Choose a unit (or several — values combine) with DLD value of AED 2M+
2. Sign the SPA, pay the booking amount and DLD fee; the developer registers the Oqood
3. Apply for the visa with the Oqood certificate — approvals typically take days to a few weeks

The nuance most buyers miss

The threshold is about DLD value, not your equity. A one-bed at AED 2.0M on a 70/30 plan qualifies from day one, while two studios at AED 1.1M each also combine to qualify. This changes which projects make sense for visa-driven buyers — and it is exactly the math we run for you before you choose.