Amidst a real estate boom in their own city, many Bengalureans are looking at an option far beyond for investment — Dubai. Multiple real estate players are recording a big jump in investments in Dubai from Indians, especially from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru, primarily buoyed by the Golden Visa.
The Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa which enables foreigners to live, work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits. “Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes are among those eligible for the Golden visa,” says the UAE’s formal description. Among the benefits are an entry visa for six months with multiple entries to proceed with residence issuance, a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or 10 years, not needing a sponsor, and the provision to stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months to keep their residence visa valid.
Most real estate buyers are businessmen with existing interests in Dubai, as well as professionals and HNIs (High Net Worth Individuals) seeking lifestyle assets with attractive returns.
| Photo Credit:
Walaa Alshaer
Luxury lifestyle
Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, real estate developer in the UAE, said roughly 35% of buyers and investors are from India or Indian expats living in Dubai. “However, the majority come from metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru, where awareness of global real estate opportunities and appetite for luxury lifestyle investments are particularly strong,” he said.
Indians have long been among the largest investor groups in Dubai’s real estate market, and the introduction of the Golden Visa has amplified this trend, he said. “The Golden Visa grants long-term residency to investors who invest above AED 2 million in Dubai. Real estate is one of the most attractive and straightforward avenues. For buyers, it offers not only a secure and stable investment, but also long-term residency benefits for themselves and their families. When compared to global hubs like London, Shanghai or New York, Dubai’s per-square-foot pricing is highly competitive,” he added.
Most buyers, he said, are businessmen with existing interests in Dubai, as well as professionals and HNIs (High Net Worth Individuals) seeking lifestyle assets with attractive returns.
A majority of real estate buyers in Dubai are aged between 30 and 45 and are purchasing not for luxury, but for security and passive income generation.
| Photo Credit:
Walaa Alshaer
Not just HNIs
Alok Priyadarshi, Founder, Homely Yours, a proptech startup, said they have recorded a nearly 40% increase in enquiries for Dubai properties due to the Golden Visa. “This is not just an uptick in curiosity, but it has also translated into a clear rise in conversions. The middle-class buyer segment, in particular, has grown much faster than expected. Previously, Dubai was primarily a playground for HNIs, but now we are closing deals with salaried professionals and business families investing,” he said.
The upper middle class, particularly salaried professionals and mid-level entrepreneurs, are now able to afford smaller ticket-size properties, and studio and 1-BHK apartments in emerging communities are in high demand due to rental yield potential and affordability, he said, adding that a majority of these buyers are aged between 30 and 45 and are purchasing not for luxury, but for security and passive income generation.
From tier-II cities
Another trend he pointed out was the rising traction from traders and merchants in Tier-II cities such as Indore, Jaipur, and Chandigarh.
Abhishek Goswami, Principal Partner and Sales Director — GCC Markets, Square Yards, too spoke of this trend. “For these investors, the combination of competitive pricing and stronger rental yields than in their local markets makes Dubai a compelling proposition to park their funds.”
Dubai’s combination of competitive pricing and stronger rental yields has resulted in rising traction from traders and merchants in Tier-II cities such as Indore, Jaipur, and Chandigarh.
| Photo Credit:
Walaa Alshaer
“Dubai continues to attract global investors, driven by its tax-friendly environment and the Golden Visa scheme. With a property investment of AED 2 million, investors and their families can secure a 10-year residency that allows them to live, work, and study in the UAE independently of local sponsorship. The flexibility to stay abroad without losing residency further enhances its value. For Indians in particular, Dubai’s closeness, excellent connectivity, and convenience in managing investments have reinforced its appeal,” he said.
Published – August 28, 2025 05:50 pm IST
