Expatriate residents and, in many cases, non-residents can apply for a mortgage on a Dubai apartment. Whether an individual application succeeds, and on what terms, depends on the lender, residency status, income, the property itself and the UAE lending rules in force at the time.
This page explains the mechanics and the questions to ask. It is general information only and is not financial, mortgage, legal or tax advice, and it is not an indication that any particular applicant will qualify.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Dubai?
Banks and finance companies operating in the UAE lend against property in designated ownership areas to expatriate residents, and several also lend to non-residents. Availability, maximum loan-to-value, minimum income and accepted nationalities differ from lender to lender and change over time.
There is no universal answer to 'how much can I borrow'. Lending criteria are set by each institution within the regulatory framework supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE. Confirm current criteria directly with the lender before you commit to a purchase.
Resident versus non-resident applicants
- UAE residents typically have access to the widest product range and the most lenders.
- Non-resident applicants are served by a smaller group of lenders, often with a larger deposit requirement and a narrower list of eligible projects.
- Some lenders restrict financing on specific buildings, developers or off-plan projects regardless of the applicant.
- Documentation requirements are generally heavier for non-residents and for self-employed applicants.
Eligibility factors lenders commonly assess
- Verified, stable income and its currency and source.
- Employment status: salaried with a qualifying employer, or self-employed with trading history.
- Existing debt commitments and overall debt burden.
- Age at application and at intended loan maturity.
- Credit history, including records held by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau.
- The property: type, location, completion status and the lender's own valuation.
Deposit and loan-to-value concepts
Loan-to-value (LTV) is the share of the property value a lender will finance; the remainder is your cash deposit. Regulatory maximums apply in the UAE and differ by buyer category, property value, whether it is a first or subsequent property and whether the unit is off-plan.
We do not publish LTV percentages here, because they are set by regulation and lender policy and can be revised. Ask the lender for the current maximum LTV applicable to your exact situation, in writing.
Budget separately for transaction costs. Purchase fees and financing costs are generally payable in cash and are usually not financeable within the loan.
Mortgage-related costs to expect
- Bank arrangement or processing fee, usually a percentage of the loan.
- Property valuation fee required by the lender.
- Mortgage registration with the Dubai Land Department, calculated on the loan amount plus an administrative charge.
- Property insurance, and life cover where the lender requires it.
- Possible early settlement charges if you repay ahead of schedule.
Pre-approval and valuation
Most buyers obtain a pre-approval before making an offer. A pre-approval is an indicative, time-limited assessment of borrowing capacity based on the information supplied; it is not a binding commitment to lend and can be withdrawn or revised.
After a property is selected, the lender commissions its own valuation. If the valuation comes in below the agreed price, the loan is normally calculated on the lower figure and the buyer must bridge the difference in cash.
The financed purchase process, step by step
- Obtain pre-approval and confirm the deposit and cash costs you will need.
- Agree terms and sign the contract of sale (Form F) through the DLD framework.
- Lender instructs a valuation of the specific unit.
- Final offer letter issued and accepted.
- Where the seller has an existing mortgage, it is settled and released.
- Developer no-objection certificate obtained for a resale.
- Transfer at a registration trustee office, with the new mortgage registered against the title.
Typical documentation
- Passport, and Emirates ID and residence visa for residents.
- Proof of income: salary certificate and payslips, or audited accounts and trade licence for self-employed applicants.
- Personal and business bank statements covering the lender's required period.
- Proof of address and, for non-residents, home-country documentation.
- Details of existing liabilities and credit facilities.
Common mistakes
- Treating a pre-approval as a guaranteed loan.
- Budgeting the deposit but not the cash transaction and financing costs.
- Assuming the bank will value the property at the agreed price.
- Committing to a deadline in the sale contract that the financing timeline cannot meet.
- Comparing headline rates without comparing fees, fixed periods and settlement charges.
Questions to ask a bank or mortgage adviser
- What maximum LTV applies to me for this specific property today?
- Which fees are payable, and which are refundable if the application fails?
- Is this project or building on your approved list?
- How long is the pre-approval valid and what invalidates it?
- What happens if your valuation is below the purchase price?
- What are the early settlement and rate-change terms?
Important notice
Information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, mortgage, legal, tax or investment advice. Lending criteria, rates, fees and regulations can change. Buyers should confirm current requirements directly with the relevant lender and competent UAE authorities before making a financial commitment.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a foreigner get a mortgage in Dubai?
- Expatriate residents and, with a smaller set of lenders, non-residents can apply for mortgages on property in designated ownership areas. Eligibility depends on the lender, residency status, income, the property and the UAE lending rules in force at the time.
- Can a non-resident get a mortgage in Dubai?
- Some UAE lenders offer non-resident mortgages, typically with a larger cash deposit, a narrower list of eligible projects and additional documentation. Availability differs by lender and by nationality, so confirm directly with the bank.
- How much deposit is needed to buy an apartment in Dubai with a mortgage?
- The deposit is the part of the price not covered by the loan, and the maximum loan-to-value is set by regulation and lender policy. It varies by buyer category, property value and completion status, so ask the lender for the current figure applicable to your case.
- Are mortgage costs included in Dubai property purchase fees?
- No. Financing costs such as arrangement fees, valuation and mortgage registration are additional to the standard purchase and registration costs, and are generally payable in cash.
- Does a pre-approval guarantee a mortgage in Dubai?
- No. A pre-approval is an indicative, time-limited assessment based on the information provided and can be revised or withdrawn, for example after the lender's valuation of the property.