What the latest immigration figures tell us about Dubai’s continued appeal to families, investors, entrepreneurs and businesses
Dubai’s growth is not only visible in new developments, expanding businesses or international investment. It is also reflected in the number of people choosing to build a life, establish a business and create a longer-term presence in the emirate.
During the first half of 2026, Dubai issued more than 1 million new residence permits and 66,000 Golden Visas, according to figures released by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).
In total, more than 7 million entry and residency-related permits were processed during the first six months of the year.
Behind those numbers is a broader story: Dubai continues to attract people who are not simply visiting, but increasingly choosing the emirate as a base for their families, careers, businesses and investments.
The Numbers at a Glance
During H1 2026, GDRFA Dubai reported:
- 5,078,078 entry permits issued
- 1,051,978 new residence permits issued
- 910,552 residence permits renewed
- 66,000 Golden Visas issued
- 7,040,608 total entry and residency-related permits
The scale of this activity reinforces Dubai’s position as an international hub for mobility, business and long-term residence.
But the most interesting story may be what is happening beyond short-term arrivals.
More People Are Building a Longer-Term Base in Dubai
More than 1.05 million new residence permits were issued in just six months.
At the same time, over 910,000 existing residence permits were renewed.
For businesses, this reflects continued demand from companies establishing and growing teams in Dubai. For individuals and families, it points to something equally important: Dubai continues to be considered not simply as a place to work temporarily, but as somewhere to establish greater long-term stability.
This shift matters particularly for entrepreneurs and internationally mobile families.
Moving to Dubai can begin with a business opportunity, an investment or a new role. But once the decision becomes longer term, the questions become broader.
Which residence structure is appropriate? How should family members be sponsored? Does the individual qualify for long-term residency? How does residency interact with a business, property portfolio or wider family structure?
The visa is often only one part of the decision.
66,000 Golden Visas in Six Months
One of the most notable figures is the issuance of 66,000 Golden Visas during H1 2026.
The UAE’s Golden Visa framework provides eligible individuals with renewable long-term residency and has become an increasingly important part of the country’s strategy to attract and retain investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, specialists, exceptional talent and high-performing students.
Depending on the applicable category and eligibility requirements, Golden Visa holders can benefit from greater residency independence and the ability to sponsor eligible family members.
For internationally mobile families, that greater certainty can make longer-term planning easier.
A family considering property investment, establishing a UAE business, relocating children for education or creating a regional base may therefore need to look at residency as part of a much wider strategy rather than as a standalone administrative process.
What Does This Mean for Business Owners and Investors?
For an entrepreneur entering the UAE, there is rarely only one possible residency route.
Depending on the individual’s circumstances, options may include an employment residence visa, investor or partner residency, property-linked residency, Golden Visa eligibility, family sponsorship or another applicable pathway.
The most obvious route is not necessarily the most appropriate one.
For example, an entrepreneur establishing a company may initially consider a standard investor or partner visa. However, their property holdings, professional profile or investments may make another long-term residency category worth assessing.
Similarly, a family relocating together may need to coordinate the principal applicant’s residency with dependent sponsorship, schooling, insurance, property arrangements and other practical considerations.
The better question is therefore not simply:
“Which visa can I obtain?”
It is:
“Which residency structure best supports what I am trying to build in the UAE?”
For Employers, Immigration Planning Is Part of Operational Readiness
The figures also matter for businesses employing people in Dubai.
More than 1.96 million new and renewed residence permits were recorded during the first half of the year. For HR and operations teams, this reinforces the importance of treating immigration processes as part of workforce planning rather than last-minute administration.
Employee onboarding can involve several interconnected requirements, including work permits, employment documentation, medical fitness examinations, health insurance, Emirates ID procedures and residence issuance.
Renewals, cancellations, dependent sponsorship and status changes also need to be monitored carefully.
Companies should therefore maintain accurate employee records, track upcoming expiry dates and begin relevant processes early enough to minimise unnecessary delays or disruption.
Dubai Is Making the Process More Digital
High transaction volumes are only one side of the story.
GDRFA Dubai also reported:
- 100% digital transformation
- 100% service completion rate
- An average service completion time of no more than four minutes
- 95% customer happiness
Dubai has also continued developing integrated government service journeys through initiatives such as the Work Bundle, which recorded 521,216 transactions during H1 2026, and the Work Bundle for Domestic Workers, which recorded 11,323 transactions.
The objective is straightforward: reduce duplication and bring interconnected procedures into a more streamlined process.
For employers, investors and residents, this can make administration faster. But digitalization does not remove the need for accurate documentation or appropriate planning.
A faster system still requires the right application.
How Does H1 2026 Compare With 2025?
A direct like-for-like H1 2025 comparison for all of the same categories is not available from the verified public figures reviewed.
However, GDRFA Dubai’s full-year 2025 open-data figures provide useful context.
In 2025, Dubai recorded approximately 12.1 million entry permits, compared with just over 5 million during the first six months of 2026.
The authority also recorded approximately 7 million residence transactions during the full year of 2025.
These figures should not be compared as equivalent datasets because the reporting periods and categories differ. Nevertheless, they demonstrate the consistently significant scale of immigration activity handled by Dubai.
Importantly, immigration transaction figures should also not be interpreted as population figures. One individual may generate different transactions, and entry permits do not necessarily represent permanent residents.
For Families, Residency Is Only One Piece of the Puzzle
For families establishing themselves in Dubai, obtaining residency is often the beginning rather than the end of the process.
A successful relocation can involve decisions around:
- Family sponsorship
- Property acquisition or leasing
- School selection and admissions
- Banking
- Health insurance
- Business establishment
- Estate and succession planning
- Tax residency considerations
- Household and lifestyle arrangements
These decisions are interconnected.
A family relocating first for business may later purchase property. An investor may eventually bring children to the UAE for education. A temporary presence may develop into a long-term base requiring more structured succession, governance and asset planning.
This is where coordinated planning becomes valuable.
The Dawia Perspective
For successful entrepreneurs and families considering Dubai, immigration should not be viewed in isolation.
The appropriate residency route depends on the wider objective.
Are you establishing a business? Relocating your family? Investing in property? Building a regional headquarters? Looking for greater long-term residency stability? Or combining several of these objectives?
At Dawia Family Office, we help clients look at the complete picture.
Our role is to coordinate the practical elements of establishing and maintaining a presence in the UAE, from residency and immigration support to business setup, family relocation and wider structuring needs.
Because moving to Dubai is rarely just about obtaining a visa.
It is about creating the right foundation for what comes next.
Key Takeaways
Dubai issued more than 1 million new residence permits during the first half of 2026, alongside more than 910,000 renewals.
The emirate also issued 66,000 Golden Visas, demonstrating the continued importance of long-term residency within Dubai’s strategy for attracting investors, entrepreneurs, professionals and talent.
More than 5 million entry permits were issued during the same period, reflecting Dubai’s continuing strength as a destination for tourism, business and international mobility.
At the same time, the expansion of digital immigration services and integrated service bundles is making government processes increasingly streamlined.
For families, investors and businesses, however, the priority remains the same: choose the right residency pathway, prepare correctly and consider immigration as part of the wider plan for your life, family or business in the UAE.
If you are considering establishing or expanding your presence in Dubai, Dawia Family Office can help assess the appropriate residency pathway and coordinate the wider steps required to make the UAE work for your long-term plans.