Many of the people I help buy Dubai property while living in another country: Russia and the CIS, India, Europe. Some visit Dubai during the process, others never need to. Here is how a remote purchase works in practice and what to prepare.
Can a non-resident buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated freehold areas, with full ownership in their own name. You do not need a UAE visa, a local company or a local address. All the projects I work with are in freehold areas.
Do you need to come to Dubai to buy?
No. The whole purchase can be done remotely:
- Viewing: you get the brochure, floor plans, prices and payment plan, and we go through the location and the options on a video call.
- Signing: the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) can be signed digitally.
- Paying: by international bank transfer.
- Handover: you can come in person, or give a trusted person a Power of Attorney to accept the unit for you.
Visiting is useful if you want to see the area yourself, but it is not required.
What documents do you need?
The main document is a copy of your passport. The developer will also ask for your contact details and, during the process, confirm payments. If you choose handover by Power of Attorney, that document is prepared separately when the time comes.
How do you pay from abroad?
Payments are made by international bank transfer to the details in your SPA. For off-plan these are the project’s escrow account, regulated by RERA under Law No. 8 of 2007, which protects your money during construction.
Practical tips:
- Check your bank first. Find out in advance what your bank and your country’s currency rules allow, especially for larger amounts. This is particularly important for buyers from Russia and the CIS.
- Match the details exactly. Always pay to the account written in the SPA and confirm it before each large transfer.
- Keep every receipt. Payment confirmations are part of your property documents.
- Plan for the DLD fee. The 4% Dubai Land Department fee is usually paid at booking or SPA stage, on top of the price.
Step by step: a remote purchase
- Consultation. We discuss your goals, budget and timing.
- Shortlist. I send options with prices, payment plans and handover dates.
- Booking. You send your passport copy and pay the booking deposit.
- SPA. You sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement digitally.
- Registration. The purchase is registered in Oqood, the DLD interim register, and you pay the 4% DLD fee plus small admin fees.
- Instalments. You pay according to the plan while the building is under construction.
- Handover. You or your representative accept the unit and receive the keys.
For the detailed cost checklist see how to buy off-plan in Dubai, and for how instalments work see payment plans explained.
Which projects suit remote buyers?
Buyers from abroad usually want a clear plan and easy management after handover. Three examples from my current list:
- Listone Residence, Warsan 1: fully furnished smart-home apartments from AED 553,888, handover Q3 2028. Being delivered furnished makes it simpler to rent out from a distance. The developer projects a gross yield of about 9.5% (a developer projection, not a guarantee).
- South Lofts, Dubai South: studios and flex 1BR from AED 419,200, handover Q2 2028, near Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City.
- The Willows Residences, Meydan District 11: apartments from AED 1,300,000, handover Q2 2027, in a green low-rise area near Downtown.
What about taxes?
As of 2026, the UAE has no annual property tax and no tax on rental income or capital gains for individuals. Service charges do apply. Your country of tax residence may have its own rules on foreign income and assets, so check them with a local adviser.
Honest caveats
- Transfers from some countries can take longer or need extra documents, so do not leave payments to the last day.
- Handover dates can shift.
- Renting from abroad needs someone on the ground: a property manager or a trusted agent.
Start from where you are
Message me on WhatsApp from any country. I work in Russian and English, and I will walk you through the options, the documents and the payment steps for your situation.
