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Updated: June 2026

Case study · UAE · Residence permit

How to Obtain a 10-Year UAE Golden Visa Through InvestmentFund Contribution Rather Than Real Estate

UAE Golden Visa is almost always associated with apartment purchase. However, our client - an investor by mindset - did not want to freeze capital in concrete: real estate lacks the liquidity he was accustomed to, and quick sale is not always feasible. He needed a 10-year visa, but through an instrument that would remain liquid assets, not real property. The UAE program has a separate pathway for this - investment in an accredited investment fund. We explain how we guided him through it.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How to Obtain a 10-Year UAE Golden Visa Through Investment Fund Contribution Rather Than Real Estate
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor who did not want to invest in real estate
Objective
10-year UAE Golden Visa through a liquid instrument
Program
UAE, Golden Visa (10-year residency visa for investment)
Route
Investment in an accredited investment fund
Amount
From 2,000,000 AED
Confirmation
Letter from accredited fund confirming investment
Result
10-year Golden Visa without real estate purchase

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client came with a clear request: he needed a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, but without purchasing real estate. He is an investor accustomed to keeping capital liquid. A Dubai apartment did not suit him as an investment instrument: money becomes frozen in a single asset, quick exit is not guaranteed, and he prefers financial assets he can actively manage. "I need the visa, not the concrete," - roughly how he framed the task.

Why the standard route did not work

Many believe Golden Visa is exclusively about real estate from 2 million AED. In reality, the program offers several investment routes, one of which is investment in an investment fund. The key condition here: the fund must be accredited in the UAE, and the investment amount must be from 2 million AED. Official written confirmation from such a fund that the investor has placed funds in the required amount serves as proof for the visa.

What BRIDGES had to solve

A subtle point where errors easily occur - precisely fund accreditation. Not every investment fund is suitable: investment counts toward Golden Visa only if the fund is among those accredited in the UAE. If you invest in the "wrong" fund - even a well-formatted letter will have no force for the visa. Therefore, verification of fund status before investment is not a formality here, but the critical step.

Why a standard answer would not do

BRIDGES' task was to guide the client correctly through the fund route: confirm that the selected fund is accredited and suitable for Golden Visa, verify source of funds, arrange an investment of 2 million AED, and obtain correct written confirmation from the fund. The outcome - a 10-year visa and capital remaining in a managed financial instrument rather than in an apartment.

I needed a 10-year UAE visa, but I am an investor and did not want to freeze money in an apartment - that is not my type of liquidity. Many think Golden Visa is only about real estate, but that is not true. BRIDGES confirmed it is possible through an investment fund: an investment from two million AED. What was crucial is that they verified the fund is accredited in the UAE, because not every fund qualifies. They arranged the investment, verified source of funds, and obtained the correct letter from the fund. As a result, I have a 10-year Golden Visa, and my capital remained in a financial instrument I manage, not in concrete.

Natalia · InvestorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

The risk was not in loss, but in choosing an unsuitable instrument: investing 2 million AED in a fund not accredited in the UAE - and not obtaining the visa, while the money is already placed. The danger was believing any investment fund would work. The critical issue was verifying fund accreditation before investment and obtaining correct written confirmation.

That Golden Visa is obtained not only through real estate, but also through investment in an investment fund;

  1. 01That the fund must be accredited in the UAE - not every fund qualifies;
  2. 02That the investment amount is from 2 million AED;
  3. 03That official written confirmation from the fund about the investment serves as proof;
  4. 04That fund accreditation must be verified before placing funds.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We confirmed the alternative to real estate. First, we showed the client that Golden Visa can be obtained not only through real estate: the fund-based pathway with an investment of 2 million dirhams met his requirement to maintain liquidity.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We verified fund accreditation before investing. This is the key step: we ensured that the selected investment fund is among those accredited in the UAE and is suitable for Golden Visa. Investment in a non-accredited fund does not result in a visa, so the verification was conducted before the transfer of funds.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We verified the source of funds. We prepared confirmation of the lawful source of capital—a mandatory condition without which neither the investment nor the visa can be issued.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We organized an investment of 2 million dirhams. We arranged the placement of funds in an accredited fund in the required amount—in a manner that complies with program requirements.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We obtained a confirmation letter from the fund. The accredited fund issued an official letter confirming the placed investment—this document serves as the basis for Golden Visa through the fund-based pathway.

Takeaway. Conclusion: UAE Golden Visa is issued through an investment of 2 million dirhams in an accredited investment fund—only an accredited fund qualifies, and its official letter serves as confirmation. Accreditation is verified before investing.

How we solved the problem

How we solved the problem

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    We confirmed the alternative to real estate. First, we showed the client that Golden Visa can be obtained not only through real estate: the fund-based pathway with an investment of 2 million dirhams met his requirement to maintain liquidity.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    We verified fund accreditation before investing. This is the key step: we ensured that the selected investment fund is among those accredited in the UAE and is suitable for Golden Visa. Investment in a non-accredited fund does not result in a visa, so the verification was conducted before the transfer of funds.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    We verified the source of funds. We prepared confirmation of the lawful source of capital—a mandatory condition without which neither the investment nor the visa can be issued.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    We organized an investment of 2 million dirhams. We arranged the placement of funds in an accredited fund in the required amount—in a manner that complies with program requirements.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    We obtained a confirmation letter from the fund. The accredited fund issued an official letter confirming the placed investment—this document serves as the basis for Golden Visa through the fund-based pathway.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    We issued a 10-year Golden Visa. Based on the fund's letter, the client received a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. The capital remained in a managed financial instrument rather than being frozen in real estate—exactly what the investor wanted.

Expert comment

This client reasoned like an investor, and he is right: Golden Visa is not necessarily real estate. Many sincerely believe that a ten-year visa is only available through real estate worth two million dirhams. In reality, there are several pathways, and one of them is an investment in an investment fund for the same amount, starting from two million. However, there is a pitfall here that is easy to fall into: the fund must be accredited in the UAE. Not every investment fund qualifies. If you invest money in a non-accredited fund, it will not count toward the visa, and the capital is already placed. Therefore, the first thing we do is verify fund accreditation, and only then does the money go in. After that, everything is standard: source of funds, investment, official fund letter—it serves as the basis for the visa. As a result, the client received ten years of residency, and his capital remained in a liquid financial instrument that he manages, not in concrete. For an investor, this is the most logical pathway.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Visa without real estate
selected the fund-based pathway · capital remained liquid
Suitable fund
verified accreditation before investing · without risk of non-acceptance
Compliance with the amount
investment from 2 million AED · requirement fulfilled
Obtaining a visa
fund letter as the basis · 10-year Golden Visa
Obtaining a visa
fund letter as the basis · 10-year Golden Visa

What was the situation: an investor client wanted a 10-year UAE Golden Visa but did not want to freeze capital in real estate. What we did: confirmed the alternative to real estate; verified fund accreditation before investing; verified the source of funds; organized an investment of 2 million dirhams; obtained a fund confirmation letter; issued a 10-year visa. What the client received: a 10-year Golden Visa and capital in a liquid fund rather than in real estate.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: UAE Golden Visa is issued through an investment of 2 million dirhams in an accredited investment fund—only an accredited fund qualifies, and its official letter serves as confirmation. Accreditation is verified before investing.
  • The investor received a visa without freezing capital in real estate—because we executed the fund-based pathway correctly and verified fund accreditation before the funds were transferred.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can I obtain a UAE Golden Visa without purchasing real estate?

Yes. One of the pathways is an investment of 2 million dirhams in an accredited investment fund. Official confirmation for the visa is provided by a letter from the fund confirming the placed investment. Purchasing real estate is not the only pathway.

02Does any investment fund qualify for Golden Visa?

No. Only contributions to accredited funds in the UAE are recognized. Investments in non-accredited funds will not qualify for a visa, even if funds have already been placed. Therefore, accreditation is verified prior to investment.

03What amount is required for the fund-based investment route?

From 2 million dirhams—the same as the real estate investment route. The difference lies in the nature of the asset: a fund is a liquid financial instrument, not a physical property.

04How is a fund contribution confirmed?

By an official letter from the accredited fund certifying that the investor has placed a contribution in the required amount. This document serves as the basis for the Golden Visa via the fund investment route.

05Must the source of funds be verified?

Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. The lawful source of capital must be documented—without this, neither the investment nor the visa can be processed. Verify specific parameters with the authorized authority.

06Want a UAE Golden Visa without purchasing real estate?

We will identify an accredited investment fund, verify its status before investment, arrange a contribution from 2 million dirhams, and obtain proper confirmation documentation—enabling you to obtain a 10-year Golden Visa while preserving your capital in a liquid instrument rather than tying it up in real estate.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.