Documents, government fees, visas and what to expect at every step, whether you’re buying your first home in The Valley, selling, or leasing out your property.
Fees and rules checked October 2026. Government fees change from time to time; Amjad confirms the exact figures for your deal.
Foreign buyers have been able to own freehold property in designated areas of Dubai since 2002. Today it is one of the most established international property markets in the region, with transactions recorded and regulated by the Dubai Land Department.
There is no personal income tax and no capital gains tax for individuals, so rental income and resale profit from property you own personally are not taxed in the UAE. Companies are a different case: the UAE introduced a 9% federal corporate tax in June 2023 on business profits above AED 375,000, so buying through a company can change the picture.
Dubai welcomed a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, its third record year in a row, and continues to attract residents, businesses and investment from around the world.
Tax depends on your personal situation and where else you are tax-resident. Speak to a tax adviser before you buy.
Yes, there are two routes:
Visa rules are set by the authorities and are updated from time to time. Amjad will check the current requirements for your property before you commit.
UAE and GCC nationals can buy across Dubai. Other nationalities can buy in designated freehold areas, which include most of the city’s major communities, among them The Valley.
Yes. UAE banks lend to both residents and non-residents, subject to their criteria. Mortgage registration with the Dubai Land Department costs 0.25% of the loan amount plus an admin fee, and the bank will charge a valuation fee. Government fees cannot be added to the mortgage, so plan to pay them in cash.
As a rule of thumb, budget around 7–8% on top of the purchase price for a cash purchase, covering the 4% transfer fee, trustee and title deed fees, and agency commission. Add mortgage registration and bank fees if you are financing.
The main costs when a ready property is transferred. The buyer usually pays the transfer fee unless agreed otherwise.
| Dubai Land Department transfer fee | 4% of the price |
| Title deed fee: apartment or villa | AED 580 |
| Title deed fee: land | AED 430 |
| Trustee office fee: property of AED 500,000 or more | AED 4,000 + 5% VAT |
| Trustee office fee: property under AED 500,000 | AED 2,000 + 5% VAT |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan + admin fee |
| Mortgage release (when you pay off the loan) | Fixed release fee + admin fee |
Release fees and admin charges are updated by the Dubai Land Department; Amjad confirms the current amount when you are ready.
Off-plan sales are registered on the Oqood system. The buyer pays 4% of the price to the Dubai Land Department, plus a small registration fee. Developers often collect this with the first payment.
Agency commission in Dubai is typically 2% of the sale price. Amjad confirms his fee in writing before you commit to anything.
Certificates of Incumbency are generally accepted for 180 days from issue. If the company is owned and signed for by one or two people, a shareholder resolution may not be needed.
An offshore company can sell Dubai property directly. To buy, it must be registered in a Dubai free zone and obtain NOCs from both the free zone and the Dubai Land Department.
Offshore company documents must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the home country, the UAE embassy there and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Arabic legal translation.
Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, developers must hold buyers’ off-plan payments in an escrow account with an approved bank. Money is only released to the developer as construction milestones are certified by an approved consultant, and the Dubai Land Department oversees every release.
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), part of the Dubai Land Department since 2007, regulates the market: developers, brokers, escrow accounts, owners’ associations and service charges. Always check that your agent holds a valid RERA broker card.
Proof of ownership (title deed, or sale agreement and Oqood for off-plan), a copy of your passport and Emirates ID, and a signed listing agreement (Form A), which is required by RERA before a property can be marketed.
In high-demand clusters a clean, well-lit home ready for photography is usually enough. Where there is more supply, Amjad will advise on small improvements and how to position your home’s strengths, such as its plot, views or position in the cluster.
Yes. The tenancy stays valid and passes to the buyer, who takes over the existing contract. Viewings are arranged with the tenant’s agreement at convenient times.
No. Once the buyer has paid the deposit and signed Form F, viewings stop and the transfer process begins.
Amjad compares your home with similar properties in the same cluster and recent rental transactions, then recommends an asking rent that leases quickly without leaving money on the table. Existing tenancies are also governed by the Dubai Land Department rental index.
The tenancy contract is agreed and signed, the security deposit and rent cheques are collected, the contract is registered on Ejari, and the keys are handed over.
Either side wanting to change the terms of the tenancy, including the rent, must give the other at least 90 days’ notice before the contract ends. Rent increases on renewal are limited by the rental index.
Every deal is different. Book a free call and Amjad will walk you through the steps, costs and documents for your situation.
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