Can I get UAE residency by buying property in Ajman?

Yes. Buying qualifying real estate in Ajman can support an application for either the shorter-term property/investor residence visa or the 10-year Golden Visa, depending on the value of the property and which route you apply through. Both are federal UAE residency programs, administered against property registered with AjmanRe.

What is the minimum property value for the UAE Golden Visa?

The standard real estate route to the 10-year Golden Visa requires property worth AED 2,000,000 or more, which can include mortgaged property in many cases provided a minimum equity threshold is met. Thresholds and conditions are periodically updated, so confirm the current requirement with ICP or a licensed immigration adviser before relying on it.

What is the difference between the 2-year property visa and the 10-year Golden Visa?

The 2-year property/investor visa is a renewable residence permit tied to a lower-value property purchase, historically requiring a minimum value in the hundreds of thousands of dirhams (exact thresholds have been revised in recent reforms and vary by emirate administration). The 10-year Golden Visa requires a higher-value property, generally AED 2 million or more, but offers a much longer validity, no local sponsor requirement, and broader family sponsorship rights.

Do I need to live in the UAE to keep my Golden Visa?

No. Unlike standard UAE residence visas, which can be cancelled after an extended absence from the country, Golden Visa holders are generally not subject to the same minimum-stay requirement, making it attractive for investors who don't live in the UAE full-time.

Can I sponsor my family with a property investor visa?

Yes. Both the standard property investor visa and the Golden Visa generally allow holders to sponsor their spouse and children. The Golden Visa typically extends this further, allowing sponsorship of sons beyond the usual age limit under certain conditions, and of domestic staff.

Does the property need to be fully paid off to qualify for a residency visa?

Not necessarily. Mortgaged properties can often still qualify, provided the buyer's paid-in equity meets a minimum threshold set by the relevant visa route, and the specific project or property type meets eligibility rules. Off-plan properties are sometimes restricted or excluded, so this should always be confirmed before counting on a property to support a visa application.

Ajman Property Visa & Golden Visa: Eligibility & Costs

Two residency routes for property buyers

Owning real estate in Ajman can support two distinct UAE residency applications, both issued under federal immigration rules and both requiring the property to be registered with the Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation (AjmanRe):

A shorter-term property/investor visa, renewable, tied to a lower property value threshold.
The 10-year Golden Visa, renewable, tied to a higher property value threshold, with notably more generous terms around sponsorship and minimum-stay requirements.

Neither route is Ajman-specific legislation — they are federal UAE residency programs — but the property itself must be a genuine, registered asset in your name (or appropriately structured joint ownership) with AjmanRe's registration paperwork available to support the application.

The property/investor visa (shorter-term)

This route offers a renewable residence visa (commonly issued for around two years at a time) tied to owning property above a minimum value. Historically, this threshold was widely cited at around AED 750,000, but recent reforms in parts of the UAE have revised or in some cases removed the minimum for a sole owner, while introducing lower joint-ownership thresholds. Because this area has changed more than once recently and administration can vary, treat any specific figure you read — including on this page — as a starting point to verify with ICP (the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Security) or a licensed immigration adviser before you rely on it for a purchase decision.

The 10-year Golden Visa

The real estate route to the Golden Visa is the better-established and more consistently cited of the two: property (or a portfolio of properties) worth AED 2,000,000 or more, owned outright or with a qualifying mortgage where the buyer's equity meets the minimum threshold. Some recent updates allow investors to reach the AED 2 million threshold through pooled or joint investment structures rather than a single individual purchase, broadening access for smaller investors.

The Golden Visa's standout advantages over the standard property visa are a full 10-year validity (versus a shorter renewable term), no requirement for a local sponsor, and — importantly for investors who split their time between countries — no minimum-stay requirement to keep the visa active, unlike standard UAE residence visas which can lapse after an extended absence.

Eligibility requirements

Property value test. The property (or combined portfolio, for the Golden Visa's pooled route) must meet the minimum value for the route you're applying under, assessed at the time of application, not necessarily your original purchase price.
Registered ownership. The property must be registered in the applicant's name with AjmanRe, with the title deed or equivalent ownership certificate available as proof.
Property type and status. Ready, completed property is the most straightforward qualifying asset; off-plan and certain mortgaged properties may be restricted or require a minimum paid-in equity percentage — confirm this with your bank and AjmanRe before counting on an off-plan purchase to support a visa application.
No disqualifying immigration or criminal history, consistent with standard UAE residency requirements.
Medical fitness test and Emirates ID enrolment, required as part of any UAE residence visa issuance, property-linked or otherwise.

Documents you'll need

Valid passport (with at least six months' validity, generally)
Title deed or official ownership certificate from AjmanRe showing the property value and registration
Passport-sized photographs meeting UAE visa photo specifications
Proof of the source of funds used for the purchase, in some cases
Medical fitness test results (arranged after entry/application, as part of the standard process)
Emirates ID application
For the Golden Visa specifically: additional supporting documents may be requested depending on the application channel and whether you're applying as a sole or joint owner

Step-by-step application process

Buy and register the property. Complete your purchase and ensure it's fully registered with AjmanRe in your name, with the title deed issued — see our title deed guide for that process.
Confirm eligibility for your chosen route directly with ICP, GDRFA, or a licensed visa processing agent, since thresholds and property-type rules are periodically updated.
Submit the visa application with your property documents, passport and photographs, either online through the relevant federal portal or via an authorised typing/processing centre.
Complete the medical fitness test at an approved medical centre.
Apply for your Emirates ID as part of the residency issuance process.
Receive your visa stamp in your passport (or as an e-visa, depending on current format), completing the process.

Costs and fees

Beyond the cost of the property itself, budget for a combination of government and service fees: visa application/issuance charges, the medical fitness test, Emirates ID issuance, and — if you use one — a typing centre or immigration adviser's service fee. These typically add up to a few thousand dirhams per applicant on top of the property purchase, though exact amounts depend on the visa route, your nationality, and whether you process the application yourself or through an agent. Family members sponsored under the same visa each carry their own incremental fees for medical testing, Emirates ID and visa issuance.

Can you sponsor family members?

Yes, under both routes, with the Golden Visa generally offering the broader scope. Typical sponsorship rights include:

Spouse — sponsorable under both the property investor visa and the Golden Visa.
Children — sponsorable under both routes, with the Golden Visa commonly allowing sons to remain on their parent's visa beyond the age limit that applies to standard residence visas, under specified conditions.
Domestic staff — the Golden Visa typically allows sponsorship of an unlimited number of domestic workers, subject to standard domestic worker visa requirements, which is not always available on standard residence visas.

Common mistakes

Assuming any property qualifies. Off-plan units, certain mortgage structures, and some property types carry restrictions — verify before you buy if the visa is a key reason for the purchase.
Relying on an outdated threshold. Minimum property values for the shorter investor visa in particular have changed in recent reforms — always check the current figure rather than a number found in an older article (including, with time, this one).
Forgetting the visa is assessed on property value, not just purchase price. Market movements between purchase and application can matter for borderline cases.
Not confirming mortgage equity rules in advance if financing the purchase, since a heavily mortgaged property may not meet the net-equity threshold required by some routes.
Skipping professional advice on a borderline case. A licensed immigration adviser or your bank's relationship manager can usually confirm current eligibility faster and more reliably than a general web search.

Ajman Property Investor Visa & Golden Visa: Eligibility, Costs & How to Apply

Key takeaways