Insights

Can I buy if I live abroad?

Yes. You don't need to live in the UAE. Foreign buyers can own property in designated freehold areas, and much of the purchase can be handled remotely.

The steps

1. Choose your property and payment plan.
2. Pay the booking amount and reserve the unit.
3. Review and sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).
4. Pay the registration fee. In Dubai, the sale is registered on the Oqood system.
5. Pay your instalments as the project is built.
6. Inspect the home at handover, pay the final amount and get your keys.

If you are overseas

• A valid passport is the main document. Ask us what else your project needs.
• You can appoint someone with a power of attorney if a step needs you in person.
• Plan how you will transfer money, and how your home currency could move over time.

Steps and documents vary by emirate, developer and buyer.

• No personal income tax in the UAE.
• Freehold ownership for foreign buyers in designated areas.
• Residency routes linked to property.
• A regulated off-plan market, with registration and escrow rules.
• Payment plans that spread the cost over construction, and sometimes beyond it.
• Strong global connections, from flights to business.

Your tax position also depends on where you live, so check the rules in your home country. And Dubai is not the only choice: Sharjah offers a different kind of value, and the right answer depends on you.

Past performance and general market appeal do not guarantee future returns.

• We show you only what fits, not everything we could sell.
• You see the real cost before you commit, including the fees.
• We tell you the downsides, and we talk about risk openly.
• We stay after the sale, with snagging, mortgages, renting and resale.
• We win when you win.

Off-plan can work very well, but you are buying something that does not exist yet.

In Dubai, an off-plan sale must be registered (Oqood), and buyers' payments are protected by escrow rules under Law No. 8 of 2007. Sharjah has its own system, so ask how it applies to your project.

This is not a full list of risks. Consider independent legal advice before signing.

The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year, renewable residency. Property investors usually need real estate worth at least AED 2 million, in one property or several.

• Ready, off-plan and mortgaged property can qualify, subject to conditions.
• Off-plan approval can depend on the developer and project.
• You can sponsor your spouse, children and up to three domestic staff.
• There is no local sponsor, and no minimum stay.

Check the current rules with the relevant authority before you buy with a visa in mind.

Approval is decided by the authorities. Buying property does not guarantee a visa, and we do not provide immigration advice.

• Dubai 2-year visa: reports in 2026 say the AED 750,000 minimum was removed for sole owners. Joint owners need at least AED 400,000 each.
• Those reports came from a Dubai Land Department service centre, without a formal announcement, so confirm before you rely on them.
• 5-year retirement visa: for people aged 55 or over, including a route through property of at least AED 1 million.
• Sharjah has its own rules. Ask before you buy there with a visa in mind.

Rules differ by emirate and have changed recently. Approval is decided by the authorities.

Snagging

Before you accept the home, inspect it and list anything unfinished or faulty, so the developer can fix it. We can arrange this for you.

In Dubai, the law generally gives buyers a 1-year defects period for fixtures and 10 years for the structure. Check your SPA.

A mortgage at handover

• Start early. Banks usually need the property to be near completion, and they will value it themselves.
• UAE residents often borrow up to 80% on a first home below AED 5 million, subject to the rules and the bank.
• Non-residents usually borrow less, and need a larger deposit.
• Approval is never guaranteed, so have a backup plan for the final payment.

Mortgage approval and terms are decided by each bank. We are not a lender or financial adviser.

Long-term

One tenant, usually on a yearly contract, with steadier income and less day-to-day work. In Dubai, contracts are registered through Ejari, and rent increases follow official rules.

Short-term

Holiday-style stays can earn more in busy months, but income moves with the seasons and costs are higher. In Dubai you need a holiday home permit, and your building must allow it.

We take care of renting for our clients, whichever route suits you.

Rental income is never guaranteed. Rules differ by emirate and building, so check before you rely on them.

Before handover

• Many developers ask for a minimum share of the price to be paid first, commonly around 30% to 40%.
• You usually need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.
• Expect developer and transfer fees, and check who pays them.
• Your buyer takes over the remaining payment plan.

After handover

You sell a finished home, so buyers can view it and banks can lend against it. Any mortgage needs to be cleared as part of the sale.

We take care of resale for our clients when the time comes.

Resale value is never guaranteed. Conditions and fees depend on your SPA, developer and emirate.