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The UAE golden visa made the Gulf one of the world's most attractive places to buy a home and live part of the year. Here is how it works, alongside Saudi Premium Residency and the residency by investment programs of Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Türkiye, with the property thresholds in US dollars.
Updated
At a glance
How residency by investment
Gulf residency programs are generous by world standards. Most do not require you to live in the country full time, most let you sponsor your spouse and children, and the Gulf states levy no personal income tax for residents. For Americans, the visa does not change US tax obligations, which follow citizenship, so speak with a US tax adviser before you buy.
The figures below are the published thresholds as of October 2026, converted to approximate US dollars at the fixed Gulf currency pegs. Rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements with the official government portal and a licensed adviser before committing. Our private banking and family office guide lists advisers who handle the paperwork for clients.
Residency by investment
| Country | Program | Property route | Approx. USD | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000 in property | About $545,000 | 10 years, renewable |
| Saudi Arabia | Premium Residency: Real Estate Owner | SAR 4,000,000, free of mortgage | About $1.07 million | While the property is owned |
| Oman | Golden Residency | OMR 200,000 in an Integrated Tourism Complex | About $520,000 | 10 years, renewable |
| Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa | BHD 130,000 in property | About $345,000 | Long-term, renewable |
| Qatar | Property residency | QAR 730,000 for residency; QAR 3,650,000 for permanent residency | About $200,000 / $1 million | Linked to ownership |
| Kuwait | KDIPA investor residency | Business investment, not property (from KWD 5 million) | About $16 million | Up to 15 years |
| Türkiye | Citizenship by investment | $400,000 in property, held 3 years | $400,000 | Citizenship |
Programs in detail
Buy property valued at AED 2 million (about $545,000) or more and you can apply for a renewable 10-year residence visa, with no minimum stay. Off-plan and mortgaged homes can qualify, and since early 2026 Dubai assesses eligibility on the property's official valuation rather than the amount already paid. Holders can sponsor a spouse, children and parents. See Dubai Luxury Real Estate and Abu Dhabi Luxury Real Estate.
Official site ↗Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency has several categories. The Real Estate Owner residency requires residential property worth at least SAR 4 million (about $1.07 million), free of any mortgage, carries a one-time fee of SAR 4,000, and lasts as long as you own it. Other routes include an Investor residency (SAR 7 million in business investment), talent and entrepreneur categories, and fee-based residencies: limited (SAR 100,000 a year) and unlimited (SAR 800,000 one time). A new law opening designated zones of Riyadh and Jeddah to foreign ownership took effect in 2026. See Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate.
Official site ↗Launched in 2025, Oman's 10-year Golden Residency replaced earlier tiers and lowered the entry point to OMR 200,000 (about $520,000). Property must be in an Integrated Tourism Complex, such as the leading coastal resort communities near Muscat. Other routes include company investment, listed shares and fixed deposits. See Oman Luxury Real Estate.
Official site ↗In late 2025 Bahrain cut its property threshold by about a third, to BHD 130,000 (about $345,000), making it one of the most accessible golden residencies in the Gulf. It also covers long-serving professionals and retirees with qualifying pensions. See Bahrain property.
Official site ↗Foreign buyers of property worth at least QAR 730,000 (about $200,000) in designated areas can receive a residence permit linked to the property, and homes valued at QAR 3.65 million (about $1 million) or more can lead to permanent residency with access to healthcare and education. Qatar has announced faster, digital processing of deeds and residency. See Qatar Luxury Real Estate.
Official site ↗Since June 2026, investors in companies licensed by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), their partners, approved senior executives and family members can receive residency of up to 15 years. Conditions include an investment of at least KWD 5 million and capital of KWD 1 million. It is a business route rather than a property route. See our Kuwait investment guide.
Official site ↗Buy property worth at least $400,000 and hold it for three years to apply for Turkish citizenship for yourself, your spouse and children under 18. The price must be supported by an official appraisal, and alternatives include a $500,000 bank deposit or fund investment. See Istanbul and Bodrum Luxury Real Estate.
Official site ↗No. Unlike standard residence visas, the golden visa remains valid even if you spend long periods outside the UAE.
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residence, so a Gulf visa does not remove US filing obligations. Speak with a qualified US tax adviser.
Yes, mortgaged property can qualify, with a no-objection letter from the lending bank. Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Owner residency, by contrast, requires the property to be free of mortgage.
Qatar's property-linked residency starts at about $200,000, and Bahrain's golden residency at about $345,000. The UAE's AED 2 million route offers the widest choice of luxury homes.
Through each government's official portal or the land department after purchase. Licensed agencies and advisers usually handle the process for buyers.
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Not every buyer arrives on vacation. Whichever way you buy, every buyer is pointed to a licensed Luxury Real Estate Agency or Developer in the Territory.
Many buyers discover a place as guests, return to view homes in person and buy on a later visit. Our guides to resorts, flights and cities help plan the journey.
Many international buyers own before they ever visit. They view homes and projects by video and virtual tour, work with a licensed agency, developer and lawyer, and sign and pay from home, often through a power of attorney where the law allows.
Funds, family offices and companies buy whole floors, buildings and portfolios. Tell us your mandate and we will point you to developers and agencies with the scale and investor relations to match.
Rules for foreign buyers differ by country and change over time; confirm them with a lawyer before you commit. Leading Luxury Real Estate law firms and lenders, country by country. Register your interest.
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Register interestThis page is general information to help you start your research. It is not financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, prices and thresholds change; confirm every detail with a licensed adviser and the official authority before you act.
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.
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