The UAE has taken a major step toward simplifying immigration procedures — obtaining residency visas has become faster and more transparent thanks to the launch of a unified government portal.
The new digital platform www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en, developed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in cooperation with the Dubai Land Department, became fully operational on April 16, 2026. It integrates applications for Golden Visas, residency permits through real estate investment, and retirement visas.
The entire process now follows a “one-stop-shop” format: users can upload documents, pay fees, and track application status online without visiting government offices.
One of the key innovations is automatic data verification. The system is directly connected to the Land Department’s registries, allowing property ownership to be confirmed without human involvement, reducing errors and speeding up processing.
The platform operates in real time: applicants instantly receive notifications about missing documents, and biometric appointment slots are assigned automatically after payment. According to experts, this reduces the overall processing time for residency permits by about one week.
The requirements for obtaining a Golden Visa remain unchanged: investors must own property worth at least AED 2 million without significant mortgage leverage. However, the process itself has become much more transparent and user-friendly.
Market experts note that combining property data and visa status in a single interface significantly improves the user experience and may reduce application processing times to as little as two weeks in the near future.
An additional advantage of the system is enhanced data security: all information is stored on government servers, simplifying document management and future visa renewals.
At the same time, experts recommend verifying the property with the Land Department before signing a purchase agreement. It is also important to ensure that the mortgage does not exceed 50% of the property value to meet investment requirements.
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