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Real Estate Investment

Buying property in Dubai, off-plan or ready: sourcing, due diligence, transfer and management, with Golden Visa eligibility in view.

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Overview

Buying property in Dubai can give you rental income, a home for your family or a route to long-term residency. The first decision is usually between off-plan property, bought from a developer before completion, and ready property, which you can live in or rent out straight away. We guide you through either route.

Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai. Sales are regulated by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and its regulatory arm, RERA. Off-plan payments go into a project escrow account, and every transfer is registered with the DLD, which charges a transfer fee of 4% of the property value. Property worth at least AED 2 million may also support a Golden Visa application.

Almahira helps you shortlist projects and properties, checks the developer, title and costs, coordinates the purchase with RERA-licensed brokers and a DLD trustee office, and arranges property management afterwards. We give you net figures, after fees and service charges, rather than headline yields.

Key facts

Regulator
Dubai Land Department (DLD) and its regulatory arm, RERA
Foreign ownership
Freehold in areas designated by the Ruler, under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on property registration
Registration fee
4% of the sale value, shown on DLD's service card as 2% from the buyer and 2% from the seller (as of October 2026)
Off-plan payments
Paid into the project's escrow account under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007
Resale transfers
Need a no-objection certificate from the developer, issued through the Dubai REST app
Golden Visa
Property bought for AED 2 million or more, wholly owned in your name, can support a 10-year residence permit

Who it's for

Overseas investors
You live abroad and want to buy in Dubai without flying in for every step, using a power of attorney where needed.
Golden Visa applicants
You want a property purchase that also supports long-term residency for you and your family.
Families relocating
You are moving to Dubai and want to buy a home rather than rent one.
Hands-off landlords
You already own property in Dubai and want tenants, Ejari registration, maintenance and rent collection handled for you.

What's included

  • Off-plan project sourcing and developer checks
  • Ready (secondary market) property acquisitions
  • Escrow and payment plan review for off-plan purchases
  • Rental yield analysis, net of fees and service charges
  • Mortgage coordination with UAE banks
  • Golden Visa via property investment
  • Legal transfer and conveyancing support
  • Property management and tenant placement

Documents you'll usually need

  • Passport copy with at least six months' validity
  • Emirates ID, if you live in the UAE
  • Proof of funds or recent bank statements
  • Salary certificate or income evidence, if you need a mortgage
  • Signed memorandum of understanding (RERA Form F) for ready property, or the developer's sale and purchase agreement for off-plan
  • Company documents and board resolution, if you buy through a company
  • Attested power of attorney, if someone signs the transfer for you

The exact list depends on your nationality, activity and the authority involved. We confirm it with you before anything is submitted.

How it works

  1. Brief and budget

    We agree your goal (rental income, residency or a home), your budget, preferred areas and whether you will pay cash or use a mortgage.

  2. Shortlist and checks

    We shortlist properties and check the developer, project registration and escrow account for off-plan, or the title, service charges and any existing mortgage for ready property.

  3. Offer and agreement

    You agree the price and terms, sign Form F or the developer's sale and purchase agreement, and pay the deposit.

  4. Financing and approvals

    If you use a mortgage, the bank values the property and issues final approval. For ready property, the seller obtains a no objection certificate from the developer.

  5. Transfer and registration

    The transfer is completed at a DLD trustee office, where the 4% transfer fee and other charges are paid and the new title deed is issued. Off-plan purchases are registered on the DLD's interim register, known as Oqood.

  6. Handover and letting

    We support handover and snagging (checking for defects), register tenancies through Ejari and, if you wish, arrange property management and your Golden Visa application.

Typical timeline

A cash purchase of a ready property can often complete within a few weeks once the developer's no objection certificate is issued, while mortgage purchases usually take longer because of valuation and bank approval. Off-plan handover depends on the developer's construction schedule, which can change.

Common questions

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, with ownership registered in their own name by the Dubai Land Department. You do not need to live in the UAE to buy. You can also buy through certain types of company, subject to DLD conditions. We confirm that a specific property is in a freehold area before you commit.

What costs should I budget for on top of the purchase price?

The largest is the Dubai Land Department's registration fee of 4% of the sale value, which DLD's service card splits 2% buyer and 2% seller; your sale agreement sets who actually pays it. Add the trustee office fee (AED 4,000 plus VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more, as of October 2026), the title deed fee, agency commission on resale, mortgage registration at 0.25% of the loan if you borrow, and annual service charges. We give you a written breakdown before you offer.

Is off-plan or ready property better?

Neither is better in general: off-plan suits buyers who can wait, and ready property suits buyers who want rent or a home now. Off-plan property often comes with a payment plan spread over construction, but you earn no rent until handover, and delivery can be delayed. Ready property can be rented or lived in straight away, but usually needs full payment or a mortgage at transfer. We compare both against your budget and timeline.

Is my money protected when I buy off-plan?

Partly. Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 requires developers to register off-plan projects and to place buyers' payments into a project escrow account, released in stages as construction progresses. This reduces risk but does not remove it. Before you pay, check that the project is registered with RERA and that you are paying into its escrow account, not to an individual or another account. We do these checks for you.

Can I get a Golden Visa by buying property in Dubai?

Yes. Property worth at least AED 2 million, in one or more units, can support a 10-year renewable Golden Visa, and ICP's rules also accept off-plan property from an approved developer. Through the Dubai Land Department's service, you need a title deed, a bank no-objection letter showing the amount paid on any mortgaged property, and to be in the UAE when you apply. We check your property against the current rules and can handle the application.

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?

Yes, some UAE banks lend to non-residents, on their own criteria. Central Bank rules cap loans to expatriates at 80% of the value for a first home under AED 5 million, 70% above that, 60% for further homes and 50% for off-plan, with a 25-year maximum term and a 50% debt-burden limit. Banks often ask non-residents for a larger deposit. We coordinate with banks and brokers so you know what you can borrow before you offer.

What rental yield can I expect in Dubai?

Yields vary by area, property type, service charges, vacancy and how the property is let, so we do not quote a single figure. We prepare a net yield estimate for each property using current rents and costs. Rent increases for existing tenants are capped under Decree No. 43 of 2013 using DLD's rental index, and short-term holiday lets must be registered with the Department of Economy and Tourism before listing.

How do I check that a broker or project is genuine?

Use the Dubai Land Department's own tools before you pay anything. DLD publishes a list of licensed real estate brokers, lets you check a project's status, verify a title deed and validate advertising permits, and the Dubai REST app covers many of the same checks. Pay off-plan instalments only into the project's escrow account, never to an individual. We run these checks as part of our shortlist.

Guides on this topic

Last reviewed . Rules change often; we confirm current requirements during your consultation.

Sources

Tell us what you're planning

One short call is usually enough to recommend a jurisdiction, licence and visa route. A written quote follows.

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