New visa changes in Dubai 2026
Dubai changes two-year property owner visa criteria
An update published on the Cube Center, which is affiliated with the Dubai Land Department, has revealed that the rules for qualifying for the emirate’s two-year property owner visa have just been relaxed.
No formal announcement has been made but a pop-up on the Cube Center website, written in English and Arabic, says that there are now new rules, more opportunities and greater flexibility for property owners.
The updated rules have completely scrapped the Dhs750,000 minimum property value threshold for sole owners, provided the applicant is the sole owner of the asset. This means that there is now no minimum threshold at all for individual property owners.
Jointly owned properties now have a minimum cap of Dhs400,000 per investor, including cases where the ownership of the property is split equally.
This means that the rules have now broadened to open the door for more property owners to apply for UAE residency through property ownership. While the eligibility criteria have now widened for the two-year visa, all applications remain subject to approval from the relevant authorities.
New golden visa services announced
Golden Visa for teachers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced ‘unprecedented’ new measures which will provide services previously only available to Emirati nationals.
Foreign residents who hold the 10-year residency permit will now have access to consular services when travelling abroad.
Announced by the MoFA in collaboration with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security at GITEX Global 2025, the largest annual technology event in Dubai, golden visa holders will now get crucial help and support when overseas.
In a release by the Emirates News Agency, this change has been described as ‘the first of its kind’ and ‘unprecedented’. The launch of consular services for golden visa holders aligns with the ongoing “Year of Community” under the theme “Hand in Hand”.
To see everything now on offer to holders, head here.
New UAE golden visa categories to know
Golden visa
Several new categories of people now qualify for golden visas in Dubai.
First announced in October 2025, Waqf (Islamic endowment or charitable trust) donors will now be able to get their hands on a golden visa under the category of financial supporters of humanitarian work.
The rules broadened to include even more people, thanks to an agreement between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation (Awqaf).
Separately, initiatives have been introduced to help influencers and gaming professionals to get their hands on a golden visa in Dubai.
While teachers and nurses are also granted the opportunity to apply for a long-term stay to coincide with World Teachers’ Day and International Nurses Day.
New UAE visit visas introduced
UAE Visa application
(Credit: Adobe Express)
In September 2025, the UAE announced there would now be four new visit visa categories for specialists.
Announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security in September 2025, amendments and additions have been made to entry visa regulations.
The ICP will introduce new visit visas for those specialising in artificial intelligence, entertainment, events, plus cruise ships and leisure boats.
Changes have also been made to several existing entry visas, including residence permits for humanitarian purposes, visit visas for friends of UAE residents, and the truck driver visa.
The Blue visa is here
UAE blue visa Dubai visa
The 10-year blue visa has officially been launched (Credit: Canva)
First announced in May 2024, the blue visa was only officially launched in 2025.
The blue visa is a 10-year residence visa aimed towards people who have made a significant positive contribution to the environment inside or outside the UAE.
It will be given to supporters of environmental action, including members of international organisations and companies, global award winners, distinguished activists and researchers.
The visa is an extension of the highly sought-after UAE golden visa system and the green residency permit, which have both been in place for some time.
After launching in February, applicants across the world will have 24/7 access to the Blue Visa service on the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
New GCC tourist visa coming soon
Riyadh GCC Unified visa
Trips to Riyadh are about to get easier for Dubai residents (Credit: Canva)
The highly anticipated GCC unified tourist visa is set to be launched as a trial later this year.
The Schengen-style visa, which will officially be named “GCC Grand Tours”, will allow freedom of movement between residents in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Countries included in the system are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
In an interview in September, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, confirmed that the visa is nearing its official rollout, entering its final approval phase after years of planning.
As part of the implementation process, travellers will soon be able to apply online for a unified GCC visa through a digital platform.
New AI-assisted Dubai visa application
Dubai has introduced a new AI-powered digital platform, which will make it easier and quicker to renew Dubai visas.
Salama will allow people living in the emirate to renew their existing Dubai visa within minutes.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs launched the platform in 2025 to improve the efficiency of government services.
Available services include renewing and cancelling the residency of sponsored persons and finding answers to questions.
Dubai visa renewals now linked to traffic fines
Dubai Visa renewal traffic fines
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, responsible for all visa renewals, cancellations and changing status in the emirate, has linked immigration services with Dubai Police.
Dubai residents in the process of renewing their residency visa will now be prompted to settle any outstanding traffic fines before completing their renewal.
The new system has been put in place to encourage residents to follow the emirate’s traffic rules and to settle any overdue fines.
However, it does not act as a block towards the Dubai visa renewal process, but will act as a prompt to settle fines either in full or via an interest-free instalment plan before you complete transactions related to maintaining your residency.
It’s important to note that the system also applies to people who are cancelling their residential permits, as they have to prove that they have no outstanding fines that need to be paid.
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