Everything a first-time or experienced international buyer needs to know about the Dubai property purchase process — from deciding what to buy to receiving your title deed.
The first decision is not which property — it is what type of ownership makes sense for your situation. There are three primary routes for international buyers:
Freehold ownership: Full title deed in your name (or company name). Available in designated freehold zones covering most major residential communities. Full right to sell, lease, or mortgage.
Off-plan: Buying from a developer during construction. You purchase via a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and receive your title deed on completion. Payment plans are typically 30–70% pre-handover, 30% at handover.
Secondary market (ready): Buying a completed property from an existing owner. Title transfers immediately on payment. No construction risk. DLD fees and agency fees paid at point of transfer.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Once you agree on price with the seller (or developer on secondary sales), both parties sign an MOU — Form F on DLD's standard template. The MOU specifies price, payment terms, and handover date.
Deposit: A standard 10% security deposit is placed with the seller's agent or held in escrow, returnable if the seller defaults, forfeited if the buyer withdraws without grounds.
No Objection Certificate (NOC): The developer of the community must issue an NOC confirming no outstanding service charges on the property before the title can transfer. Processing time: 5–21 working days depending on developer.
DLD Registration: Both buyer and seller (or their POA holders) attend the Dubai Land Department or authorised trustee office. The 4% DLD transfer fee plus AED 580 admin fee is paid by the buyer at this stage. Title deed is issued same day or within 48 hours.
For international buyers: A Power of Attorney (POA) can be granted to a UAE-resident representative to attend DLD on your behalf. V Capital can connect you with POA services to enable fully remote completion.
| Fee | Amount | Paid By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD Transfer Fee | 4% of purchase price | Buyer | Mandatory on all transactions |
| DLD Admin Fee | AED 580 | Buyer | Title deed issuance |
| Agency Commission (secondary) | 2% of purchase price | Buyer | Standard market rate; 1–2% depending on deal size |
| Agency Commission (primary/off-plan) | AED 0 | Developer | Developer pays; buyer pays same price regardless |
| Legal / SPA Review | AED 5,000–25,000 | Buyer | Recommended; varies by lawyer and complexity |
| Mortgage Arrangement (if applicable) | 1% of loan value | Buyer | Plus bank processing fees |
| Service Charges (annual, ongoing) | AED 10–45/sqft/yr | Owner | Varies significantly by community |
Property purchases of AED 2M or above (sole ownership, no mortgage encumbrance) qualify for the UAE 10-year Golden Visa. The visa application is separate from the property purchase and handled through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship or a registered typing centre.
Key updates (April 2024): Joint ownership properties qualify if each individual owner's share exceeds AED 2M. Off-plan properties qualify from the point of SPA execution, not handover. Vikraant can refer you to RERA-approved Golden Visa consultants.
Vikraant manages this entire process for his clients — so you never face it alone.
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