International Insights, Global Perspective

Effective January 24, 2024, the UAE has eliminated the minimum down payment requirement for Golden Visa real estate investment applications. Investors can now qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa by owning properties valued at AED 2 million, regardless of down payment amount or property type (off-plan, mortgaged properties eligible). This policy change significantly lowers barriers for international investors, particularly beneficial for overseas Chinese high-net-worth individuals.

Hong Kong's 2026 budget announced on February 25 raises stamp duty on luxury properties over HKD 100 million from 4.25% to 6.5%, targeting ultra-high-end market. Budget also introduces stamp duty exemption for REIT transfers and relaxes intra-group asset transfer relief criteria.