Foreign individual of any specific nationality has the options to purchase a property in Dubai – United Arab Emirates. This could include living as resident or overseas within the country. As a result, there is a high choice of properties available for potential buyers in the specific designated freehold areas of UAE.

Buying property in Dubai

In Dubai, foreign ownership is permitted in areas designated as freehold. Foreigners (who don’t live in the UAE) and expatriate residents may acquire freehold ownership rights over property without restriction, usufruct rights, or leasehold rights for up to 99 years.

Article 3 of Regulation No. 3 of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai (pages 129-132) indicates the land plots designated as freehold properties.

The title deeds are issued by the Land Department in the emirate. There is no age limit to own property in Dubai.

The UAE property market is one of the most regulated and transparent in the region. Be it tax-free rental yields, lifestyle investments or healthy capital gains, the UAE real estate market presents a wealth of opportunity for property investments. Recent changes in property ownership rules for foreigners have opened up the market furthermore for overseas investors.

Those interested in purchasing real estate as expat or overseas investors must keep in mind that the rules for property ownership differ for them. What are the restrictions for non-UAE residents for acquiring mortgages to purchase property in the country? What is freehold property in Dubai and what are the conditions for buying real estate for expats? Before you commit to buying a villa, apartment or any other type of real estate in the UAE, it’s important to consider these property ownership rules for foreigners.

Types of Dubai Property Visa

Three Year Dubai Property Visa: The visa is issued for three years tenure and can be renewed before or upon expiry at a nominal cost.

Five Year Dubai Property Visa: If you have invested at least AED 5 million in properties (can be split across three properties) and have no mortgage on any of the properties, you can qualify for a five-year Dubai property visa. Unlike the 10-year visa, you do not need to make additional investments.

This visa is a resident visa which means you or your family members will not be allowed to work on that visa. If you or any of your family member wish to work, the visa status will have to be changed, and the organization which offers the job will have to issue a sponsoring visa.