Buyer guides
Buying Property in Dubai as a Foreigner: A Step-by-Step Guide
Foreign buyers can own property outright in Dubai's designated freehold areas. Here is the full process, from choosing an area to collecting your title deed.
Anna Ghukasyan · Head of Sales · 6 min read
Published · Updated
Short answer: yes — foreign nationals and non-residents can buy property in Dubai with full ownership, as long as the property is in a designated freehold area such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay or Meydan. You do not need UAE residency to buy, and a straightforward ready-home purchase usually completes in two to eight weeks.
Where can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Foreign buyers can own property outright — including the land it sits on — in Dubai's designated freehold areas. These cover most of the city's popular districts, including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Meydan and Dubailand Residence Complex. Outside these zones, ownership is generally reserved for UAE and GCC nationals. Our Dubai area guides compare the freehold communities we work in most.
1. Choose your goal and budget
Decide first whether you are buying to live in, to rent out, or to hold for capital growth. Your goal decides the area, the property type and whether a ready or off-plan home suits you better. Off-plan homes usually offer staged payment plans from the developer, while ready homes can be used or rented out immediately.
2. Pick a freehold area
Each freehold area has its own character: Business Bay for city living next to Downtown, Palm Jumeirah for beachfront villas and apartments, Meydan for green space and larger homes, and DLRC for value-driven investment. Browse our current villas, apartments and off-plan properties for sale in Dubai to compare what is available in each area.
3. Agree the price and sign the contract
Once you agree a price, buyer and seller sign a sales agreement (commonly known as Form F or an MOU), and the buyer usually pays a deposit, often 10% of the price, held until transfer.
4. Transfer at the Dubai Land Department
For ready homes, ownership is transferred at a Dubai Land Department trustee office, where the title deed is issued in your name. For off-plan homes, your purchase is registered in the official off-plan register (Oqood), and the title deed follows at handover.
What does it cost to buy?
On top of the price, budget for the main purchase fees:
- Dubai Land Department transfer fee: 4% of the price
- Real estate agency commission: 2% + VAT
- Trustee office fee: around AED 4,200
- Title deed fee: AED 500
As an example, a ready apartment at AED 2 million typically needs roughly AED 130,000–160,000 in fees on top of the down payment. Our buyer's guide and cost calculator breaks this down for any price.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. UAE residents can typically borrow up to 80% of the price for a first home under AED 5 million. Non-resident buyers can also borrow, but banks usually ask for a larger deposit — often 35–50% — and terms vary by bank and by country of residence. Try the figures for your situation on our mortgage calculator.
Documents you will typically need
- A valid passport
- Proof of funds or a mortgage pre-approval
- The signed sales agreement
- Payment for the transfer fees
How long does it take?
A cash purchase of a ready home can complete in as little as two weeks once the price is agreed. With a mortgage, allow four to eight weeks for the bank valuation, approval and transfer. Off-plan purchases follow the developer's construction and payment schedule instead.
Casa Porte guides you through every step and coordinates with the developer, the seller and the trustee office so the process stays simple. Talk to our team about your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai without living there?
Yes. Non-residents can buy freehold property in Dubai without a UAE residence visa. You need a valid passport and proof of funds, and the purchase can often be completed with a power of attorney if you cannot attend in person.
Where can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Foreigners can buy with full ownership in designated freehold areas, which include Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Meydan and Dubailand Residence Complex, among others.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes, both residents and non-residents can apply. Residents can typically borrow up to 80% for a first home under AED 5 million, while non-residents are usually asked for a 35–50% deposit, depending on the bank.
Does buying property in Dubai give you a residence visa?
Property owners can qualify for a residence visa once the property value passes the current government thresholds — a higher threshold applies to the 10-year Golden Visa. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements before you buy.
Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign buyers can purchase off-plan homes in freehold areas, and the purchase is registered with the Dubai Land Department's off-plan register (Oqood). Payments follow the developer's plan, and the title deed is issued at handover.