The United Arab Emirates is emerging as a central player in the fast-evolving global investment migration industry as long-term residency and investor visa programmes continue to attract wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs and talent, according to a new report.
The Global Citizen Solutions report, Global Overview of Investment Migration Programs and Beyond, examines how investment migration has developed worldwide and highlights the growing role of the UAE, the wider Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East and North Africa region.
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy that advises high-net-worth individuals and families on residency and citizenship options across multiple jurisdictions.
According to the Investment Migration Council, these programmes are now used by more than 80 countries and typically fall into three categories: citizenship by investment, residence by investment and entrepreneur visas. The industry has expanded significantly over the past four decades, growing from a single programme in 1982 to nearly 90 active programmes globally.
UAE expands long-term residency push
The briefing finds that while citizenship by investment schemes remain largely concentrated in small island economies, particularly in the Caribbean and parts of the Pacific, the Gulf has taken a different approach. Rather than offering direct routes to citizenship, the UAE and its neighbours have focused on long-term residency frameworks designed to support economic participation, talent attraction and national development goals.
The UAE’s Golden Visa system is highlighted as a flagship example of this strategy. Introduced to attract investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers and creatives, the programme offers renewable long-term residency without requiring recipients to relinquish their original citizenship.
The report notes that this model aligns closely with the country’s broader ambitions to diversify its economy, build knowledge-based industries and position itself as a global business and lifestyle hub.
Across the wider GCC and MENA region, similar trends are emerging. Saudi Arabia has expanded its premium residency offerings as part of its Vision 2030 reform agenda, while Oman and Kuwait have introduced new long-term residency pathways aimed at attracting foreign investment and expertise. Other regional economies are reviewing or refining investor visa models to remain competitive as global mobility patterns shift.
Residency programmes dominate the market
According to the analysis by Global Citizen Solutions, residence by investment programmes now account for around 64 per cent of all active investment migration pathways worldwide. Entrepreneur visas represent approximately 22 per cent, while citizenship by investment schemes make up about 14 per cent.
The report also noted that investment thresholds in the UAE and Saudi Arabia tend to sit at the higher end of the global market. This positioning reflects the region’s focus on regulatory stability, infrastructure quality and long-term integration rather than volume-driven capital inflows. In contrast to lower-cost programmes in emerging markets, Gulf schemes are designed to appeal to investors seeking security, connectivity and a stable base for their families and businesses.
While investment migration has historically been driven by demand from emerging economies, there is now growing interest from citizens of advanced economies such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the report found, suggesting that lifestyle factors, political stability and global mobility are becoming more important alongside traditional financial motivations.
Global Citizen Solutions highlights the UAE’s appeal to globally mobile individuals, pointing to its business-friendly environment, tax framework, safety and international connectivity. These factors have helped establish the country as a preferred base for expatriate investors and entrepreneurs seeking long-term residency without a full change of nationality.
Global shifts reshape investment migration
Beyond the Gulf, the briefing places these developments within a broader global context. It identifies structural changes across the investment migration industry, including the rise of mission-driven investment routes that channel capital into priority sectors such as technology, sustainability and infrastructure. Governments are also increasingly using approved funds, development bonds and sector-specific vehicles to align foreign investment with national policy objectives.
The report also notes the growing digitalisation of application processes, the use of electronic know-your-customer tools and more sophisticated due diligence frameworks. Enhanced transparency and stronger governance standards are described as defining features of modern investment migration programmes, reflecting increased scrutiny from regulators and international bodies.
According to Global Citizen Solutions, these shifts point to a maturing industry that is moving away from purely transactional models towards more strategic and policy-aligned frameworks. For Gulf and wider MENA region, investment migration is increasingly viewed as a long-term tool to support economic resilience, talent retention and global competitiveness.
The briefing concludes that the UAE and its regional peers are likely to continue expanding and refining their investor residency programmes as competition for capital and talent intensifies worldwide.
Supported by strong governance and clear economic objectives, investment migration is expected to remain a key pillar of long-term growth strategies across the Gulf.
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