We help quite a few clients who are in a similar situation, holding crypto and looking to get a UAE Golden Visa. One of the simplest and most common routes we've seen is exchanging crypto to AED and using those funds to purchase property in Dubai. That purchase, if structured right, can make you eligible for the 10-year Golden Visa. The property route requires a real estate investment of at least AED 2 million. That can be in one property or across multiple units. What's important is that the total investment meets or exceeds the threshold. As for off-plan properties, yes they are now accepted, but there’s a condition: you need to have paid at least 50% of the property’s value already, and that amount must be registered with the Dubai Land Department. If there’s still a mortgage or payment plan in place, you’ll need a letter from the developer or bank confirming the payment status and their no-objection for visa issuance. People often go for off-plan units in prime locations because you can put down the 50%, secure the visa, and let the handover happen later. Also, you can sponsor your spouse, children (regardless of age), and even your parents once your visa is approved. We also see a lot of people doing this without ever needing to be physically in Dubai until the visa stamping stage, especially if they’re working remotely or managing assets internationally. If your funds are in crypto, converting them into fiat through a proper channel is the first step. It needs to be a clean, verifiable source, ideally going through a regulated OTC desk or private banking route to avoid any issues with the property transfer or visa application.
