Business Valuation vs Property Valuation for the UAE Golden Visa: Which One Do You Need?
By Bill Anderson, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, Assetica — 2026-06-20
Whether the UAE Golden Visa needs a business valuation or a property valuation, and who is authorised to prepare each one.
The property route: a property valuation
If you qualify through real estate, you need a property valuation. It values the land or building you own, must show at least AED 2 million, and is prepared by a valuer approved by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and RERA, typically as a Taqeemi-style certificate. A business valuer cannot prepare this, and a business valuation is not accepted for the property route.
The business route: a business valuation
If you qualify through your company, you need an independent business valuation. It values your equity in the business, must confirm your shareholding is worth at least AED 2 million net of debt, and must be prepared by an independent accredited firm and accepted by the GDRFA or ICP. It assesses earnings, assets and market value using recognised methodologies, not the price of a building.
Why the distinction matters
The threshold figure is the same (AED 2 million), which is why applicants conflate the two. But the asset valued, the qualified valuer, and the accepting authority all differ. Submitting the wrong report causes rejection, and some business owners wrongly buy property they did not need. When the business is the route, the report must isolate the applicant's specific shareholding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a property valuation be used for the business Golden Visa route?
No. The business route requires an independent business valuation of your company equity, accepted by the GDRFA or ICP. A property valuation values real estate and is only valid for the property route.
Who prepares each valuation?
Property valuations are prepared by DLD/RERA-approved property valuers. Business valuations are prepared by independent accredited valuation firms working to recognised standards and accepted by the GDRFA or ICP.
Both thresholds are AED 2 million, so are they interchangeable?
No. The threshold figure is the same, but they value entirely different assets (real estate versus business equity) and are accepted by different authorities. The reports are not interchangeable.
Speak to Assetica about Golden Visa Business Valuation
Assetica is an independent business valuation firm in Dubai. We do not audit and we do not broker deals, so the number carries no conflict. Read more about golden visa business valuation, or book a free scoping call. Standard reports are issued in five to seven business days.