How to invest in a property in Dubai from London: Requirements and documents checklist
I will keep this simple and practical. You can buy a property in Dubai from London without boarding a plane. I do it for clients every week. The key is clean paperwork, a secure escrow flow, and a clear process that avoids surprises. Below is the exact framework I use for UK buyers, plus the document checklists, fees, timelines, and a few lessons from my own decade in the Dubai market.
H2: Why London investors are buying in Dubai now
– Yield and growth: Dubai’s gross yields often range between 6 and 8 percent, with select mid-market communities higher. That is stronger than typical London yields. In 2024, off-plan transactions made up roughly 60 percent of sales, reflecting confidence in future supply and price growth.
– Market depth: Dubai Land Department reported record sales again in 2024 with double-digit growth in transaction volumes and total values crossing the AED 400 billion mark. Foreign buyers remain a large share of demand.
– Ease of entry: No property tax, no stamp duty on residential purchases, and fully digital title issuance. You can receive an electronic Title Deed through Dubai REST once transferred.
If you want tailored guidance on which districts fit a London investor’s yield and liquidity goals, book a consultation with me.
H2: Can you buy in Dubai from London without flying? The short answer
Yes. Two routes:
– Remote signing with developer and escrow payments for off-plan
– Power of Attorney for ready properties so my team completes transfer at a trustee office on your behalf
You do not need a UAE visa to buy. Funds go from your UK bank to the developer’s or trustee’s RERA escrow account. Contracts are executed electronically, and your Title Deed is issued digitally.
H2: Step-by-step: how I help UK buyers secure a Dubai property remotely
H3: 1) Strategy and shortlisting
– Define outcome: cash flow, capital appreciation, or a balanced play.
– Pick unit types that rent fast in Dubai: studios and 1-beds in high-demand rental zones usually deliver stronger yield and shorter vacancy.
– I validate developer reliability, escrow status, handover history, service charges, and planned infrastructure.
H3: 2) Reservation and compliant payments
– Off-plan: Reserve with a passport copy and a booking fee. Then pay 4 percent Oqood registration and follow the payment plan to the RERA escrow.
– Ready: Sign RERA Form F (MOU), place a 10 percent security deposit, book the developer NOC, and schedule transfer at a trustee office.
H3: 3) Contracts and registration
– Off-plan: You sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement. Developer registers Oqood. You receive payment schedule reminders tied to construction milestones.
– Ready: After mortgage or cash is ready, transfer happens at a DLD trustee office. Funds move via manager’s cheque or bank transfer. You receive your digital Title Deed.
H3: 4) Mortgage for UK residents and nationals
– Most UAE banks lend to non-residents, typically up to 50 to 60 percent LTV.
– Rates in 2025 generally range from 5 to 6.5 percent variable, often linked to EIBOR.
– Banks require UK income documents, six months statements, and a valuation. Expect two to four weeks for approvals when paperwork is complete.
H3: 5) Handover and leasing
– For off-plan at completion: inspection, snagging, DEWA connection, chiller setup, and key collection. I coordinate this and list the property for rent.
– For ready: immediate marketing and tenant screening. Ejari tenancy registration is done online.
If you are weighing mortgage vs cash for an off-plan handover in 2026 or 2027, book a consultation and I will run scenarios with total cost and yield projections.
H2: Requirements and documents checklist for UK buyers
H3: For all buyers
– Passport copy, high-resolution
– Proof of current address in the UK dated within 3 months
– Second ID if available
– Source of funds and source of wealth summary
– Bank statement showing the funds you will use
– Tax residency confirmation if available
– Contact details and UK mobile number
H3: For mortgages (non-resident)
– Salary certificate or employer letter
– Last 6 months UK bank statements
– Last 3 months payslips
– Employment contract or confirmation of service
– UK credit report if requested by the bank
– Proof of other liabilities
– Property valuation consent
H3: If buying through a company or SPV
– Certificate of incorporation
– Memorandum and Articles
– Board resolution authorising the purchase
– Ultimate beneficial owner IDs and KYC pack
– If offshore SPV, UAE embassy attestation may be required
H3: If appointing a Power of Attorney
– POA drafted to DLD format
– Notarised in the UK
– Legalised by the UAE embassy in London
– Attested at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai
– My team can arrange this door-to-door so you sign once in London
H2: Costs, fees, and taxes: what to budget
H3: One-time purchase costs
– DLD transfer fee for resale: 4 percent of purchase price
– Trustee office fee: AED 4,000 plus 5 percent VAT
– Title Deed issuance: AED 580
– Mortgage registration: 0.25 percent of loan amount plus AED 290
– Developer NOC: AED 500 to 5,000 depending on the project
– Agency fee: typically 2 percent plus 5 percent VAT on the fee
– Off-plan Oqood registration: 4 percent of purchase price
– Developer admin fees on off-plan: usually AED 3,000 to 7,000
H3: Ongoing ownership costs
– Service charges: set per square foot per year, paid quarterly
– Utilities: DEWA deposit and consumption
– Chiller: included or billed separately depending on the project
– Landlord insurance: optional but recommended
– Property management fee if you prefer hands-free management
H3: Tax notes
– Dubai: no personal income tax on residential rental income. No annual property tax.
– UK: UK tax residents report Dubai rental income to HMRC and may owe income tax. Capital gains may also apply on sale. Speak with a UK tax advisor. I can connect you to specialists during our call.
H2: Off-plan vs ready property for London investors
Off-plan
– Pros: staged payments, often below current market price, potential capital appreciation before handover, 2 to 3-year payment plans common.
– Cons: construction risk, no immediate rent, service charge unknown until handover.
Ready
– Pros: rent from day one, see and touch the asset, simpler valuations for mortgages.
– Cons: higher initial cash requirement, 4 percent DLD payable now, more competition for best units.
If you want tailored guidance on which route fits your risk tolerance and timeline, book a consultation with me.
H2: Compliance, AML, and source of funds
Dubai is strict on AML. Expect questions and be ready to evidence where the money comes from. Clean, well-labeled transfers win time. Always transfer to RERA escrow. Avoid card payments for large sums and avoid sending money to personal accounts. I will structure the flow so every dirham is supported by documents.
H2: Timelines you can plan around
– Shortlist and reservation: 1 to 5 days
– Mortgage AIP for non-residents: 5 to 10 working days
– Full mortgage approval and valuation: 2 to 4 weeks
– Resale transfer with cash: 5 to 10 working days
– Resale transfer with mortgage: 3 to 5 weeks
– Off-plan reservation and Oqood registration: 1 to 2 weeks
– Handover snagging for off-plan: 5 to 10 days
H2: A quick case study from my desk
In 2021 I helped a Swedish investor buy in Dubai fully remote. We built a paper trail the bank loved, pushed for a realistic valuation, and secured a unit that later produced strong rental returns. He surprised me with a 10,000 dollar gift in appreciation. I now follow the same system with UK clients. The steps are boring and precise, which is exactly why they work.
H2: FAQs
H3: Can a UK resident buy property in Dubai without a UAE visa?
Yes. You do not need a UAE visa to buy. You can purchase as a non-resident using your passport and standard KYC documents.
H3: How much are Dubai Land Department (DLD) property transfer fees for a resale in Dubai?
The DLD transfer fee is 4 percent of the purchase price, plus AED 580 Title Deed issuance and AED 4,000 trustee fee plus 5 percent VAT on the trustee fee.
H3: What documents do UK buyers need to purchase a property in Dubai remotely?
You need a passport copy, proof of address, source of funds, bank statements, and contact details. If using a mortgage, add salary certificate, payslips, and six months statements. If using a company, add incorporation documents and UBO KYC.
H3: Can a UK buyer get a mortgage in Dubai as a non-resident?
Yes. Non-residents can get up to about 50 to 60 percent LTV. Rates in 2025 are often between 5 and 6.5 percent. Approvals take two to four weeks with complete documents.
H3: How do I pay for a Dubai property from London?
Send funds from your UK bank directly to the developer’s or trustee’s RERA escrow account. Use bank transfers for clarity. Keep the transfer receipt. Do not send funds to personal accounts.
H3: How long does it take to complete a resale purchase in Dubai with a UK mortgage?
Plan for three to five weeks from signed MOU to transfer, assuming your bank documents are clean and the valuation is in line.
H3: What are the ongoing costs after buying a Dubai apartment?
Service charges per square foot, utilities, possible chiller bills, minor maintenance, and optional property management. There is no annual property tax on residential property.
H3: Do I pay UK tax on my Dubai rental income?
If you are UK tax resident, you report Dubai rental income to HMRC. Dubai does not tax residential rent, but the UK may. Always speak to a UK tax advisor.
H2: Ready to do this the safe way?
If you want a property in Dubai that makes sense on paper and in real life, let me map it out with you. We will shortlist, verify, reserve, and transfer without you leaving London. Book a consultation with me and I will give you a clear plan, a costs sheet, and two or three assets I would buy myself at your budget.
H2: A personal note
My path in Dubai was not textbook. I arrived in 2005, studied civil engineering, then walked away from engineering after a year because I wanted to build something of my own. I launched an e-commerce business by accident, lost savings in the stock market in 2014, then rebuilt through real estate starting in 2015 with small one-bedroom units. I learned the paperwork, the timing, and the discipline the hard way. In 2021 I turned that experience into a consultation business and later a licensed brokerage, Alaa Mohra Properties, which now receives pre-allocations from major developers. If you want a calm, documented path from London to a Dubai Title Deed, I am here to help. My name is Alaa Mohra.