From first enquiry to a documented purchase
Define the property and your budget
Request the current unit list and floor plans. Compare the full acquisition cost with the payment dates, rather than treating the starting price as your entire budget.
Receive and review the documents
Ask for the developer’s formal offer, reservation terms and sale contract. Confirm the project details, unit specification and procedures for signing from abroad.
Complete buyer checks
A passport can begin the discussion. Identity verification and additional documents, including source-of-funds information, may still be required. Developer instalments are distinct from mortgage approval.
Understand the EOI before paying
Check allocation and refund terms. Verify payment instructions through an established developer or authorised sales channel, and keep written acknowledgements.
Track the contract and instalments
Keep the signed documents, payment receipts and construction updates together. Confirm the handover process and the schedule for the remaining three years of payments.
Plan for a cross-border purchase
Consider the currency in which you earn and hold funds, the AED payment dates and your tax residence. Your home-country reporting and tax obligations do not disappear because the property is in the UAE.
Qualifying personal real estate investment income can fall outside UAE corporate tax. Your country of tax residence may still tax income or gains.
Separate the property decision from the visa application
Residency depends on the applicable route, qualifying property value, documents and authority approval. A studio starting at AED 888,000 does not by itself meet a general AED 2 million property threshold. Ask for a separate eligibility assessment rather than assuming every unit grants a Golden Visa.
Property residency conditionsFAQ
Can I buy from outside the UAE?
A remote process may be available, subject to developer procedures, identity verification and local requirements. Developer instalments differ from a bank mortgage; documents beyond a passport may still be requested.
Is the investment tax-free?
A blanket 0% tax promise would be misleading. Qualifying personal real estate investment income can be outside UAE corporate tax, but acquisition fees, other taxes and tax obligations in your country of residence may apply.
Does every apartment qualify for a Golden Visa?
No. The property route generally requires at least AED 2 million in qualifying value and satisfaction of the relevant conditions. Off-plan eligibility, payment evidence and approval must be checked with the competent authority.