Buying process

A Dubai property NOC is a no-objection certificate confirming that the issuing party does not object to a specific property transaction. In a standard secondary-market sale, the most important NOC is usually issued by the property’s developer or master developer. Dubai Land Department requires a no-objection electronic certificate from the developer for property sale registration in applicable...

Dubai Land Department fees are an essential part of the cost of buying property in Dubai. The best-known charge is the 4% sale registration fee, but buyers may also encounter title deed, property map, trustee and mortgage registration fees. These costs are separate from the property price. They may also be payable in addition to estate-agency commission, bank charges, property valuation, conveyancing,...

Dubai property title deeds are among the most important documents in any real estate transaction. Issued by the Dubai Land Department, a title deed records the registered owner and identifies the property to which the ownership relates. For buyers, receiving the title deed represents the completion of the legal ownership transfer for a ready property. It is more significant than signing a sale...

Yes, a mortgaged property can qualify for a UAE Golden Visa. However, simply owning a property worth AED 2 million or more may not be enough when a bank has financed part of the purchase. For applications processed through Dubai, the Dubai Land Department states that a mortgaged property is eligible, provided the applicant submits a no-objection letter from the financing bank. The letter must show the...

An off-plan property may qualify for a UAE Golden Visa in some circumstances, but eligibility should never be assumed simply because the property’s sale price is AED 2 million or more. Dubai Land Department’s current Golden Visa investor service requires qualifying property worth at least AED 2 million under the applicant’s name. However, its published document checklist specifically refers to an...

You generally need qualifying UAE property worth at least AED 2 million to apply for a Golden Visa through real estate investment. The threshold may be reached through one property or several properties held in the applicant’s name. Joint ownership can also qualify, but the applicant’s own registered share—not necessarily the property’s full value—must generally be worth at least AED 2...

Dubai allows expatriates and foreign non-residents to own property in designated areas. Eligible buyers can acquire apartments, villas, townhouses and certain land plots without UAE citizenship and, in many cases, without holding a UAE residence visa. Dubai expat property ownership is based on formal registration with the Dubai Land Department. Once a completed property sale is registered, DLD issues...

Dubai property investment is accessible to international buyers, including people who do not live in the UAE. Foreign investors can acquire freehold property in designated areas, purchase completed or off-plan units, earn rental income and sell their assets through the Dubai Land Department’s regulated registration system. The opportunity is substantial, but international investors face risks that...

Yes, a company can buy property in Dubai, provided the entity is eligible to own the specific property and is properly registered with the Dubai Land Department. Corporate buyers may include Dubai mainland companies, eligible free-zone entities, branches and certain foreign or GCC company structures. The property is registered in the company’s legal name rather than in the name of an individual...

Transferring money to Dubai is a critical part of buying property, especially for an overseas purchaser dealing with international banks, currency conversion and unfamiliar payment procedures. A Dubai property transfer may involve several separate payments rather than one transfer to the seller. The buyer could need to pay a reservation deposit, contractual deposit, Dubai Land Department fees, agency...