NAC Weekly No. 09: Dubai Scraps the AED 750,000 Floor for Its Property Investor Visa

Dubai has dropped the AED 750,000 minimum for its two-year property investor visa, so a sole owner of a home at any price can now apply for residence. The Fed, the ECB and the Bank of England all held rates in a week that included Vietnam's 30 April holiday, while April inflation rose to 5.46% in Vietnam and 3% in the euro area. In the UK, one policymaker voted for a rate rise.

Market pulse, week of 27/4–3/5/2026

Signals this week

🇦🇪 UAE · Dubai scraps the AED 750,000 floor for its two-year property investor visa

▼AED 0

minimum property value for a sole owner to apply for the two-year investor visa, down from AED 750,000Dubai Land Department, via Enterprise 30 AprPhoto: Phil6007, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Under an update on the Dubai Land Department's Cube service platform, Enterprise reported on 30 April, anyone who fully owns a property now qualifies for the two-year investor visa, whatever the home is worth. Joint owners must each hold a stake of at least AED 400,000. The ten-year Golden Visa still requires property worth AED 2 million. April deals totalled AED 68.56 billion, Khaleej Times reported on 3 May.

For Vietnamese investors: a small flat in one person's name now opens a path to residence in Dubai, with no need to pool AED 750,000. Per NAC's listing data, DAMAC Golf Greens starts at about USD 300,000, with handover expected in Q1 2028. Ask how the rule treats off-plan homes before you commit.

🇺🇸 United States · The Fed holds, with four members dissenting

●8–4

vote to hold the target range at 3.5–3.75%; one dissent for a cut, three against the easing biasFed, 29 AprPhoto: AgnosticPreachersKid, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

On 29 April the Fed kept its target range at 3.5–3.75% by eight votes to four. Stephen Miran wanted a quarter-point cut; Beth Hammack, Neel Kashkari and Lorie Logan backed the hold but objected to the statement's easing bias. The Fed said inflation is elevated, partly reflecting the recent rise in global energy prices.

For Vietnamese investors: three hawkish dissents suggest dollar rates are unlikely to fall in the next few months. Borrowing costs in dollar-pegged markets such as Dubai will stay high, which leaves equity buyers in the stronger position. The minutes are due on 20 May.

🇻🇳 Vietnam · April consumer prices up 5.46% on a year earlier

▲+5.46%

consumer price index, April 2026 versus a year earlier; housing and building materials up 7.95%General Statistics Office, 3 MayPhoto: Simon_sees, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

On 3 May the General Statistics Office reported that consumer prices rose 0.84% in April and 5.46% on a year earlier, Tạp chí Kinh tế - Tài chính reported. Cooking gas rose 35.3% in the month and diesel 18.55%. Housing and building materials were up 7.95% on a year earlier. Domestic gold fell 6.71% in the month but was still 54.24% above a year ago.

For Vietnamese investors: 12-month deposits mostly pay 6.3–6.8% a year, Doanh nhân reported on 3 May, leaving a real return of only about one percentage point. Rising construction costs may also push up prices at new apartment launches in the coming quarters.

🇬🇧 UK · The Bank of England holds at 3.75%, with one vote to hike

●8–1

vote to hold Bank Rate at 3.75%; Huw Pill wanted a rise to 4%Bank of England, 30 AprPhoto: It's No Game, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

On 30 April the Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% by eight votes to one, with Huw Pill voting for a quarter-point rise. The Bank said monetary policy cannot influence energy prices, but members worry that dearer energy could spread into wages and prices. Inflation reached 3.3% in March; Bank staff expect it to average 3.1% in the second quarter and rise to 3.3% in the third.

For Vietnamese investors: UK mortgage rates are unlikely to fall in the next few months, which gives equity buyers an edge in negotiations, especially in London, where prices are falling. Per NAC's listing data, Fulham Reach Palmer House in west London starts at £576,000, with completion anticipated in Q2 2026.

🇪🇺 Euro area · The ECB holds at 2% as inflation reaches 3%

▲3.0%

euro-area flash inflation for April 2026, up from 2.6%; energy up 10.9% on a year earlierEurostat, 30 AprPhoto: Hartmut Schmidt Heidelberg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

On 30 April the ECB kept its deposit rate at 2% and its main refinancing rate at 2.15%. The same day, Eurostat estimated that April inflation rose to 3% from 2.6%, as energy prices climbed 10.9% on a year earlier. Greece stood at 4.6%, Spain 3.5%, Portugal 3.3%, Cyprus 3% and Malta 2.4%.

For Vietnamese investors: Greek inflation is running above the euro-area average, so building costs and new-home prices in Athens are unlikely to ease. Per NAC's listing data, Keranis Ports Residences in Piraeus starts at EUR 250,000, the lowest entry price among NAC's Greek Golden Visa projects.

Next week

NAC strategic insight

This week three major central banks held rates while inflation edged up in both Vietnam and Europe. We favour assets that generate rental income, bought with equity, and residence programmes with clear conditions, such as Dubai's newly relaxed investor visa. If you'd like to know which option fits your family's plans, book a consultation with NAC.

Related on NAC

DAMAC Golf Greens · DAMAC Safa Gate · Fulham Reach Palmer House · Keranis Ports Residences · The NAC Residence Index

Sources

• Enterprise — Dubai drops the floor on property visas but tightens the rules for co-owners (30 Apr 2026)
• Khaleej Times — Dubai property sales jump in April despite tensions (3 May 2026)
• Federal Reserve — FOMC statement (29 Apr 2026) · Federal Reserve — FOMC meeting calendar 2026
• Tạp chí Kinh tế - Tài chính — April 2026 CPI up 0.84% (3 May 2026, Vietnamese)
• Doanh nhân (Báo Pháp luật Việt Nam) — Banks cut deposit rates across the board (3 May 2026, Vietnamese)
• Banco de España — ECB keeps interest rates unchanged in April (30 Apr 2026)
• Eurostat — Euro area annual inflation up to 3.0% (30 Apr 2026)
• Bank of England — Monetary Policy Summary, April 2026 (30 Apr 2026)
• RBA — Monetary Policy Board meeting schedule 2026 · BLS — May 2026 release schedule