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Glossary
DLD (Dubai Land Department)
The Dubai Land Department registers property ownership in Dubai and certifies the value the Golden Visa threshold is tested against.
The Dubai Land Department is the government authority that registers property ownership in Dubai: sales, transfers, mortgages, valuations and title documents all run through it. It charges the 4% transfer fee on purchases, certifies property value, and administers the investor route of the Golden Visa - confirming that a property is freehold and meets the AED 2 million threshold, then generating the nomination for residency processing. DLD lists 7-10 business days for its golden-visa service, and since April 2026 it runs a unified workflow with GDRFA Dubai.
Where this comes up
The AED 2 million rule · Golden Visa cost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DLD in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department registers property ownership in Dubai and certifies the value the Golden Visa threshold is tested against.
Why does DLD matter?
DLD's certified value, not your purchase price, is what golden-visa eligibility is tested against.
This entry is part of the Home Guide Dubai glossary - the vocabulary a Dubai buyer or Golden Visa applicant actually meets, defined in plain English and kept consistent with our verified guides.