Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, foreigners can buy property in designated freehold areas in Dubai including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. Buying grants you full ownership rights with a Title Deed.

Freehold grants you absolute ownership of the property and land forever. Leasehold gives you the right to occupy for a fixed period, typically 99 years, but land ownership remains with the landlord.

No, you do not need a UAE residency visa to purchase property. You can buy as a non-resident living anywhere in the world. In fact, buying property can be a pathway to obtaining residency.

Yes. Properties valued at AED 750,000+ allow for a 2-year renewable visa. Properties valued at AED 2,000,000+ qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa.

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa (10 years) granting self-sponsorship, family sponsorship, and extended time outside the UAE. Real estate investment of AED 2M+ is a primary qualifying route.

Yes, many UAE banks offer mortgages to non-residents. Typically, non-residents can borrow up to 50-60% of the property value. Interest rates and terms vary by bank.

Standard costs include DLD fee (4% of property value), Trustee Office fee (~AED 4,000), Agency fee (usually 2% + VAT), and Title Deed issuance fee (~AED 580).

Dubai does not levy personal income tax on rental income for individuals. This tax-free environment is a major incentive for global investors.

The Dubai Land Department fee is a one-time 4% tax paid to register the property sale, plus a small administrative fee.

Service charges are recurring fees for maintenance of common areas, security, pools, and landscaping. Calculated per-square-foot, varying by building and community.

Yes, Dubai has robust regulations. Developers must set up Escrow Accounts where investors' money is kept and can only be used for construction of that specific project.

Oqood is a temporary registration certificate from DLD for off-plan properties, proving your ownership right while the property is under construction.

Yes, but developers usually require 30-40% of the payment plan to be cleared before granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for resale.

Dubai offers gross yields between 5% and 9%, depending on location and property type. JVC delivers 8-9%, Marina 6-7%, Downtown 5-6%.

Yes, short-term rentals are legal and popular. You must register with DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing). Many investors hire property management companies.

RERA is the Real Estate Regulatory Agency that regulates Dubai's real estate sector — setting rules for agents, developers, and property management.