How is the NDF option different from buying real estate for citizenship?

The National Development Fund is the simplest route: you make a single qualifying contribution (a minimum of US$230,000 per application) to a government fund and receive no asset in return. There is no property to maintain, rent, or resell, which many applicants prefer for its low ongoing administration.

The real estate option instead requires purchasing government-approved property worth at least US$300,000, which you must hold for five years before selling. Real estate can return value over time but carries market risk, transaction costs, and management responsibilities. The right choice depends on whether you want a clean one-off cost (NDF) or an investable asset (real estate).