Golden Visas and Migration Programs: How Investors Are Responding to UAE Golden Visa News and Interest in Alternatives

This week, in business and media coverage focused on investment migration, the most discussed themes were “golden visas,” geopolitical risk, and how investors decide on property purchases and relocation. Below are the main expert references and the core of their comments.

• Gavin Lloyd (Trade Me Properties)
• Mo Bennis (Arton Capital)
• Vaneesh Manchanda and Gaurav Golani (Urban Terrace)
• Craig Myles (Aspire Realty)
• Phil Gilchrist (Prime Real Estate)
• Mark Harris (Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Caleb Paterson (Paterson Luxury)
• Raheel Sheikh (Acquisitions Entrepreneurs)
• Anthony Liew (MM2H Consultants Association)
• Kashif Ansari (Juwai IQI)
• Shai Zamanian (The American Legal Center)

MPA Magazine: “Golden Visa” boosts deal flow from $5 million and changes decision speed

According to Gavin Lloyd from Trade Me Properties, the rise in interest in the Active Investor Plus (AIP) program is directly tied to recent changes in the visa regime that media often refer to as the UAE Golden Visa. Now eligible investors can buy or build a home worth from $5 million, instead of the previous threshold of $15 million.

The expert links the increase in search activity to greater regulatory predictability: when a government clarifies requirements and reduces uncertainty, investors become more willing to return to choosing a destination and specific properties. The interviews also noted that affluent clients from the US, the UK, and Australia aren’t just browsing options—they are focusing on listings in the $5 million+ segment, because the “visa route” is becoming clearer.

Fox News: evacuations amid conflict strengthen the “mobility” argument for UAE Golden Visa holders

In a Fox News segment, Mo Bennis, Associate Vice President at Arton Capital, said that worsening geopolitical conditions make the value of mobility—and “optionality,” meaning the ability to have more than one destination for life, investment, and future planning—especially visible.

The key takeaway from the expert: UAE golden visa holders are not only investors—they are part of the national fabric. In such circumstances, residency programs are viewed less as one-off purchases and more as a risk-management tool.

The Economic Times: after escalation, buyers don’t stop—they change pace and deal terms in Dubai

After reports of strikes and rising tension, Vaneesh Manchanda, Managing Partner at Urban Terrace (Dubai), emphasized that property viewings and requests remain steady, but the deal-closing speed is changing. Buyers are more likely to pause for approvals and due diligence, yet interest in the market continues.

Gaurav Golani also noted that investors are increasingly requesting more flexible payment schedules and better terms from developers—particularly when the market briefly cools down.

At the same time, experts say the UAE Golden Visa remains a “structural anchor” for Indian buyers: geopolitical events may affect timelines, but they don’t erase the core motivation—buying Dubai property as a long-term asset.

The Post: “house hunting” — what agents say about the motivation of Golden Visa buyers

The Post report shares insights from real estate industry specialists. Craig Myles (Aspire Realty) says many clients treat property purchase as a natural extension of obtaining status: if someone invests in a country, choosing a place to live becomes the next logical step.

Phil Gilchrist (Prime Real Estate) discussed two properties in Wanaka promoted as “enquiries over $5,000,000.” He stressed that the $5 million+ price point isn’t being framed as a marketing tactic specifically tailored to AIP investors; the primary clients are local New Zealand residents.

Mark Harris (Sotheby’s International Realty) pointed to growth in online and offline inquiries from overseas buyers during the period leading up to the turn in AIP restrictions. He added that most clients aim to integrate into the local community rather than “work around” local resident interests.

Caleb Paterson (Paterson Luxury) added that interest most often comes from the US. Client origins include construction, hospitality, and especially technology entrepreneurship. According to the expert, buyers “don’t leave the country without buying property.”

Forbes: what entrepreneurs and investors should know about the E-2 Visa

In a Forbes column, Raheel Sheikh, Founder and CEO of Acquisitions Entrepreneurs, highlights that the migration landscape is becoming more complex, and review timelines for applications in many countries are becoming less predictable. In practice, this also shows up across categories tied to employment, family matters, and diversity programs.

The financial dimension is emphasized separately: investments must be “at risk.” That means the investor’s funds must be genuinely committed and exposed to the possibility of partial or total loss as part of the project’s normal operations.

The Star: rising interest in MM2H among residents of Gulf countries

The Star reports growing interest in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program from residents of Gulf states. Anthony Liew, President of the MM2H Consultants Association, said that inquiries are increasing, but applications are being postponed due to the need to verify documents—an effort that takes time.

Kashif Ansari, Co-founder and Group CEO of Juwai IQI, added that Malaysia is seen as a natural destination for Middle Eastern residents thanks to its “safe haven” status and geographic distance from the conflict zone. He said there is a noticeable shift in buyers’ attention toward Malaysia.

The Economic Times: regional concerns spark renewed interest in the US EB-5 Visa

In The Economic Times, Shai Zamanian, a US-licensed attorney and Director of the Dubai office of The American Legal Center, said that the increase in inquiries is gradual but steady.

Initially, many families wanted to understand what was happening. As uncertainty persisted, the conversations became more practical: clients began asking about alternatives and options if the situation dragged on.

Bottom line: amid news about the UAE Golden Visa and regional escalation, investors continue to look for manageable scenarios—through residency, visa programs for investors, and property purchases, but with a stronger focus on regulatory clarity, decision speed, and deal terms.

If you’re exploring a Golden Visa and want to understand how UAE Golden Visa updates and threshold changes affect deal demand, the Digital Nomad team will help you assess the most suitable investment residence options. We can guide you through viable alternatives based on your profile — from jurisdiction selection to document preparation. Learn more: https://digital-nomad.gr/en/goldenvisa

Our Telegram channel about various types of Greek residence permits, digital nomad programs, and the Greek Golden Visa: @digitalnomadgr