Key takeaways
- Foreigners can buy off-plan in Dubai's freehold areas with just a passport. No residency needed.
- You pay a booking amount (usually 10 to 20 percent) plus the 4 percent DLD fee upfront, then the rest in instalments.
- Your payments go into a government-regulated escrow account, not straight to the developer.
- The whole purchase can be done remotely, by digital signature or Power of Attorney.
- Units valued at AED 2 million or more can open the door to the 10-year Golden Visa.
If you want to buy off-plan in Dubai as a foreign investor, the good news is that the city was built for you. Foreign ownership is legal, the process is standardised, and your money is protected by law while the building goes up.
This guide walks you through every step, the real costs on a sample AED 2 million unit, and the checks I run with every client before they sign anything.
Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes. Since Law No. 7 of 2006, foreign nationals can own freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas. That covers most of the places international buyers look at: Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Islands, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Hills, JLT and many more.
You do not need a UAE visa, residency or a local company. A valid passport is the core document. If you are already a UAE resident, you will also use your Emirates ID.
The buying process, step by step
- Pick the project and check the developerConfirm the project is registered with RERA (Dubai's real estate regulator) and has its own escrow account. You can check both in the official Dubai REST app. Then look at the developer's track record: did past projects hand over on time?
- Reserve the unitYou sign a reservation form and pay a booking amount, usually 10 to 20 percent of the price depending on the developer. This takes the unit off the market.
- Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)The SPA is the main contract. It sets out the unit, price, payment plan, expected handover date and what happens if either side is late. Read the delay and cancellation clauses carefully.
- Register the purchase (Oqood)The developer registers your purchase with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the Oqood system, the official register for off-plan sales. This is when the 4 percent DLD fee is paid. From here, your ownership is on the government record.
- Pay in instalments as it's builtCommon plans are 60/40, 70/30 or 80/20 (during construction vs. on handover), and some developers offer post-handover plans that spread payments over a few years after you get the keys.
- Inspect and take handoverWhen the building is complete, you inspect the unit (a professional "snagging" check is worth it), pay the final instalment and collect the keys.
- Receive your title deedYour Oqood registration converts into a full title deed. There is no second 4 percent fee at this stage, only small admin charges.
What does it really cost? (Example: AED 2M unit)
The price on the brochure is not the full picture. Here is a realistic breakdown of what you pay at the start on a sample AED 2,000,000 off-plan apartment with a 20 percent booking payment.
| Item | Typical amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Booking payment (20%) | AED 400,000 | At reservation |
| DLD registration fee (4%) | AED 80,000 | At Oqood registration |
| Developer admin / Oqood fee | AED 1,000 to 6,000 | At SPA or registration |
| Agent commission | AED 0 (always paid by the developer, never by you) | n/a |
| Total to get started | About AED 481,000 to 486,000 |
Figures are typical market ranges as of September 2026 and vary by developer and project. The remaining 80 percent follows the payment plan.
Is your money safe?
This is the question every overseas client asks me first, and it's the right one. Under Law No. 8 of 2007, every registered off-plan project in Dubai must have a DLD-regulated escrow account. Your instalments go into that account, not to the developer directly. The developer can only draw money as construction milestones are verified.
What escrow does not protect you from is a bad choice: a weak location, an unrealistic payment plan, or a developer with a history of long delays. That part is about doing your homework before you sign.
Can you buy without coming to Dubai?
Yes. Most of my international clients never need to fly in until handover, if at all. The SPA can be signed digitally, and anything that needs a signature in person can be done through a notarised Power of Attorney. Payments are made by international bank transfer straight into the project's escrow account.
Expect standard checks along the way: a copy of your passport, proof of address and, for larger amounts, proof of where the funds come from. This is normal anti-money-laundering practice in the UAE.
Can you get a mortgage on off-plan?
It's possible but limited. UAE banks cap lending on off-plan property at around 50 percent of the value, so you need to fund at least half yourself. In practice, most foreign buyers use the developer's payment plan instead, which is often interest-free and spread over the build period.
Does off-plan get you a Golden Visa?
Property with a DLD valuation of AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa. For off-plan units, the rules are stricter than for finished homes: the authorities usually want a developer NOC and proof of meaningful construction progress, not just an Oqood registration. If the visa is part of your plan, check it for your specific unit before you sign.
The escrow law protects your money. It does not protect you from a bad decision.
Before any client signs, I look at three things the brochure won't show: whether the payment plan fits their cash flow for the whole build, the developer's real handover record on past projects, and what similar finished units in the area actually resell and rent for today.
Stefano Iannotti
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property, including off-plan units, in Dubai's designated freehold areas under Law No. 7 of 2006. You do not need UAE residency to buy.
Do I need to be in Dubai to buy off-plan?
No. Many buyers complete the whole purchase from abroad, signing the sale agreement digitally or through a notarised Power of Attorney, and paying by international bank transfer into the project's escrow account.
How much deposit do I need?
Most developers ask for around 10 to 20 percent of the price plus the 4 percent DLD fee at the start. The rest is paid in instalments during construction and at or after handover.
Is my money safe when buying off-plan?
Payments for registered projects go into a DLD-regulated escrow account under Law No. 8 of 2007, not directly to the developer. The developer can only draw funds as construction milestones are met.
Does buying off-plan qualify me for the Golden Visa?
Property with a DLD valuation of AED 2 million or more can qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa. Off-plan cases usually need extra paperwork, such as a developer NOC, so check your specific unit before you buy.
Thinking about buying off-plan?
Tell me your budget and goals, and I'll show you which projects are worth your money and which to skip. No obligation.
Stefano Iannotti
Real estate advisor in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, specialising in off-plan property for local and international buyers. RERA Broker Card No. 84308. Speaks Italian, English and Spanish.