Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) reported the issuance of roughly 66,000 UAE Golden Visas and 1 million new residence permits during the first half of 2026, alongside more than 900,000 renewals and over five million entry‑permit transactions.
Golden‑Visa Volume in Context
- The 66,000 figure cannot be directly compared with the first half of 2025 because GDRFA did not publish comparable data.
- Annualising the H1 2026 pace suggests about 132,000 Golden Visas for the full year—still below the 158,000 granted in the program’s record year of 2023, but well above any earlier year.
Conversions from Short‑Term Residency
- Many applicants are upgrading from the two‑year investor residency permit to the ten‑year Golden Visa.
- Rafael Cintron, CEO of Wealthy Expat, notes that over 100 clients have applied for Golden Visas in 2026, with more than 50 previously holding regular residency permits.
- In May 2026 Dubai removed the minimum property‑value requirement for the two‑year investor visa, allowing investors to purchase property at any price point. The permit now serves as an entry ramp: investors can later qualify for a Golden Visa once their holdings reach AED 2 million (≈ US$545,000).
- The removal of the property threshold is expected to persist, especially as investors can now acquire off‑plan developments without committing the full amount upfront.
Impact of Regional Conflict
- The first half of 2026 saw heightened geopolitical tension, including the Iran‑related conflict, a Strait of Hormuz blockade, and repeated airspace closures.
- Approximately 500 Golden Visa holders were evacuated from abroad during the crisis.
- Despite these disruptions, the UAE’s “safe‑haven” perception remains largely intact. Savory & Partners’ data indicate that departures were driven more by business fallout in tourism, entertainment, and real estate than by personal‑safety concerns.
- Some high‑net‑worth individuals are now considering alternatives such as the Cayman Islands or Greece’s flat‑tax regime, but the overall reputation of the UAE as a secure destination appears resilient.
Outlook for the Remainder of 2026
- Both advisors expect a temporary slowdown in Golden‑Visa applications and approvals for the second half of the year, followed by a rebound.
- Savory anticipates a “considerable” drop in volumes, with recovery timing uncertain and potentially influenced by broader geopolitical developments.
- Cintron predicts a shallow dip, expecting continued demand from investors seeking to benefit from a cooling real‑estate market and lower property prices.
- Long‑term, Dubai’s geographic advantage—being within a four‑hour flight for roughly one‑third of the world’s population—remains a key factor in attracting wealthy migrants.
Key takeaways
- 66,000 Golden Visas and 1 million new residence permits were issued in H1 2026.
- Conversions from two‑year investor permits to ten‑year Golden Visas are a primary growth driver.
- Regional conflict has not significantly eroded the UAE’s appeal as a safe‑haven destination, though some investors are exploring other jurisdictions.
- A short‑term slowdown is expected, but demand is likely to remain robust, especially among investors capitalising on real‑estate price adjustments.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
