Immigration News
Middle East Instability Impacts Dubai: Demand for Hong Kong Investment Immigration Surges
Posted by Uni Immigration on 2026-03-09
The unstable situation in the Middle East affects Dubai｜The demand for investment immigration to Hong Kong is increasing sharply, and Hong Kong has become the best investment haven
In the Middle East, which has always been turbulent, the extremely luxurious Dubai is like an isolated island. However, as Dubai has been implicated in the war with Iran, the security myth has been shattered. Dubai's wealthy people and investors, who were once indulged in a dream, finally woke up from the smoke and set their sights on the new investment haven-Hong Kong.
Dubai’s safety myth disillusioned, wealthy people look to Hong Kong for safety
Dubai, the second safest country in the world, was once the "Middle East oasis" and financial center for the world's richest people. It was a sun-drenched, tax-free paradise far away from war and with a low crime rate. It attracted countless high-net-worth individuals to move to the city, purchase houses and set up family offices. Skyscrapers rising into the sky stood tall in the desert. According to the latest "World's Richest Cities Report 2025" by Henley & Partners, a British research institution, the UAE will attract 9,800 millionaires to immigrate in 2025, bringing a wealth of US$630 billion, ranking first in the world; Dubai's millionaire population has doubled since 2014 and now exceeds 81,000, with a large amount of hot money flowing into the local area.
However, the Iran crisis has shattered the image that Dubai has carefully cultivated over the past decade as a neutral commercial city that "only talks about business, not politics." In recent days, the United States and Israel have launched air strikes against Iran, with Dubai becoming the focus of attacks for the first time. Iranian drones and missiles hit Dubai International Airport (DXB), the ultra-luxury seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel and Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, shaking the confidence of the rich or investors.
The airspace of many countries in the Middle East has been blocked since February 28, with many Chinese nationals stranded there and a large number of flights canceled. It was not until recently that the airspace of the United Arab Emirates was partially reopened. Rich people who often go abroad for work will worry that the grounding of flights to Dubai will happen again.
Moreover, many local citizens heard the continuous explosions and sirens, saw buildings in the distance being hit by artillery shells, thick black smoke rising, and even described missiles flying overhead, and they still felt frightened.
Amid the unstable situation in the Middle East, more and more wealthy Chinese families regard Hong Kong as a more stable investment and identity choice. Coupled with Hong Kong's legal foundation, 7-year permanent residence policy, and advantages of being connected to the mainland, the demand for investment immigration to Hong Kong for asset allocation and risk hedging has significantly increased.
The end date of the Iran war is unknown
The key to the difficulty in quantifying the risk of war is that "no one can give a clear timetable." Based on reports from various media, the U.S. originally expected the action to be effective within about a month, but there is news that the U.S. military has been preparing for the extension of the war in Iran to six months, and may even last for nine months. Trump once revealed in an exclusive interview that the war with Iran will last as long as it takes, "no matter what it takes."
Iran has the ability to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's seaborne crude oil passes. Even without a complete lockdown, risk expectations alone can push up oil prices and freight rates and intensify global market volatility.
This Iranian retaliation also proves that Iran can attack airports, ports and energy facilities; even if Dubai has an advanced air defense system, the falling shell fragments are enough to set a five-star hotel on fire and shut down the international hub for several days. For families who have concentrated their assets and families in the Persian Gulf countries, this is a clear reminder: Dubai can be part of the assets, but it should not be the only core.
Comparison of advantages of immigrating to Dubai and Hong Kong
From a purely short-term tax and cost of living perspective, Dubai remains attractive:
There is zero personal income tax, no capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and property prices are also low. Moreover, the 10-year golden visa has a low threshold - foreigners only need to invest 200,000 Omani rials (equivalent to approximately HK$4.07 million) to purchase local real estate, bonds, companies or enterprises that create job opportunities to obtain this qualification.
However, most foreigners can only stay long-term through various types of visas. There is no institutionalized path to permanent residence and naturalization. The requirements for naturalization are very high. Most of them are only "long-term visitors." Once the policy changes, they may not be able to retain their right of residence.
Relatively speaking, investment immigrants in Hong Kong have a higher chance of obtaining permanent residence:
A clear 7-year permanent residence policy, a common law legal environment, a mature international financial system, and the role of a "super contact" connecting the mainland's huge market.
Moreover, except during the epidemic period, Hong Kong Airport is open to tourists and businessmen for free entry and exit most of the time. For businessmen who often go abroad to work, it is more suitable than Dubai.
If you only look at short-term taxes and cost of living, Dubai is still attractive; but if you take your own safety and your family's long-term arrangements into consideration, Hong Kong's risks are lower than Dubai.
Contact Uni Immigration’s Hong Kong immigration consultants today to learn more about how to obtain permanent residence in Hong Kong
Hong Kong becomes the best investment haven
Hong Kong will restart its "new investment immigration" program - the New Capital Investor Entry Scheme (CIES) in 2024. Many high-net-worth individuals have expressed interest in this and see Hong Kong's potential as an international asset allocation platform. Investment immigrants in Hong Kong can invest in stocks, funds, bonds and other assets, as well as residential real estate. The transaction price threshold has been reduced from HK$50 million to HK$30 million.
As of the end of February 2026, the "New Investment Immigration" program had received nearly 3,200 applications in two years, and about 1,762 investment cases had been completed and formally approved. It is expected to bring about HK$95 billion in investment to Hong Kong.
For mainland high-net-worth families, the plan has three key values:
Lock in a stable identity for your family
After completing the required investment and being approved, the applicant can bring his spouse and unmarried dependent children to live and live in Hong Kong; after normally living in Hong Kong for seven years, he can apply to become a permanent resident of Hong Kong, locking in backup options for personal security and capital in advance.
Restructure assets rather than impose additional burdens to meet standards
Eligible investment assets include Hong Kong stocks, funds, bonds and some RMB-denominated products. The new measure also allows assets to be held through "family investment control vehicles", which is beneficial to customers who have established family offices to restructure existing positions to meet the standards rather than completely new investments.
Connect with the long-term layout of mainland and global business
Hong Kong combines the advantages of common law and the "one country, two systems" arrangement to handle mainland business, international investment and next-generation education in Hong Kong, reducing the costs and uncertainties of cross-jurisdictional operations.
If you already hold real estate, a company or a family office in Dubai, while retaining the tax and life advantages of Dubai, you can use the Hong Kong New Capital Investor Entry Program to establish a second core base for yourself and your family with legal protection, predictable identity, and connectivity to China and the global market.
If you want to evaluate how to allocate Dubai and other overseas assets to Hong Kong, immigrate to Hong Kong through investment, and obtain permanent residence in Hong Kong, contact Uni Immigration’s Hong Kong immigration consultants immediately to obtain professional consultation and the most suitable method of immigrating to Hong Kong.