Dubai mortgage for non-residents: the full picture.
Non-residents can get a mortgage in Dubai — that part is settled. What varies is how much: lower loan-to-value ratios, a bigger down payment, and a shorter list of banks than a UAE resident would face. None of that makes financing impractical, but it changes how much cash you need on day one.
This guide sets out current LTV ranges, rates, the banks actually lending to non-residents, and the full cost stack beyond the down payment itself.
- 50–60% LTV typical for non-residents on ready property (vs up to 80% for residents)
- 35–50% down payment required, depending on bank and property type
- 4–6.5% interest rates, fixed intro periods reverting to EIBOR-linked variable
- 25-year maximum term, subject to age limits at maturity
- Off-plan financing is more restricted — most banks lend on ready property only
Loan-to-value: residents vs non-residents
The UAE Central Bank's mortgage cap regulation sets different LTV ceilings by residency status — this is the single biggest structural difference non-resident buyers face.
| UAE resident | Non-resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready property LTV | Up to 80% (first property) | Typically 50–60%, up to 65% at some banks for strong applicants |
| Down payment | From 20% | 35–50%, depending on bank and property type |
| Off-plan financing | More widely available | Limited — most banks finance ready property only for non-residents |
Eligibility and documentation
Most banks set a minimum monthly income threshold in this range, in AED or your home-currency equivalent, alongside a Debt Burden Ratio cap of 50% of gross income including existing debts.
Applicants must fall within this range at application, with loan terms structured so the mortgage is repaid before the applicant reaches the bank's maximum age at maturity.
Passport, 6 months' bank statements, salary certificate or business ownership evidence, and a credit report from your home country — some banks require notarisation or apostille of foreign documents.
Banks commonly offering non-resident mortgages
| Bank | Notes |
|---|---|
| Emirates NBD | Widely used by non-resident buyers; LTVs up to 65% reported for strong applicants; relatively fast pre-approval |
| HSBC | Established non-resident mortgage desk, useful for buyers already banking with HSBC internationally |
| Mashreq | Active in the non-resident segment across several nationalities |
| ADIB (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) | Sharia-compliant home finance structures for buyers who need or prefer them |
| Standard Chartered | Non-resident options for buyers with an existing international banking relationship |
The full cost stack
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Down payment | 35–50% of property value |
| Bank arrangement fee | 1–1.5% of loan amount |
| Property valuation fee | AED 2,500–3,500 |
| DLD mortgage registration fee | 0.25% of the loan amount |
| DLD property transfer fee | 4% of property value (separate from financing, applies to all buyers) |
Budget the full stack, not just the down payment — arrangement fees, valuation, and registration together typically add another 2–3% of the property value on top of the deposit itself.
Sizing financing across real Dubai developments
Above most banks' minimum — DG1 Living
A unit at this price point clears most banks' minimum property value threshold comfortably, giving non-resident buyers a genuine choice of lenders rather than being limited to the small number that finance smaller loan sizes.
Cash-heavy at 50% LTV — DO Hotels & Residences, Dubai Islands
At this tier, even a conservative 50% LTV means a substantial cash requirement — many buyers at this price point choose to structure the purchase alongside a broader financing conversation rather than assuming a mortgage alone will bridge the gap.
Financing sits alongside the rest of the buying process. See our Dubai investment guide, the Dubai ownership framework, and our source of funds guide for the documentation your bank and the DLD will separately want to see about the down payment itself.
A licensed international advisory built on formal professional standards
Tropical Riviera International Realty is a licensed international real estate advisory. Bhavesh Koonja, our principal broker, holds both the REALTOR® and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designations through the National Association of REALTORS® — credentials that carry a formal code of ethics and fiduciary standard, not just a sales licence, and that apply to how we advise wherever we practice internationally.
We coordinate introductions to RERA-registered mortgage brokers who can confirm current bank-specific terms in parallel, rather than leaving non-resident buyers to approach each bank individually. See our International Real Estate overview and International Real Estate Advisory approach for how this fits our wider ten-market coverage.
WhatsApp Us Now (+230 5256 5725)- REALTOR® — National Association of REALTORS®
- Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) — NAR designation
- Bilingual — English and French advisory
- Ten markets served — Mauritius, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Bali, Zanzibar
Dubai mortgage FAQ
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. The UAE Central Bank allows non-resident foreign nationals to obtain mortgages for property in designated freehold zones, though terms are stricter than for residents — lower LTV, higher down payment, and fewer bank options.
What LTV can non-residents get in Dubai?
Typically 50–60%, with some banks offering up to 65% for strong applicants. This compares to up to 80% for UAE residents on a first property.
Can non-residents finance off-plan property in Dubai?
Most banks finance only ready (completed) property for non-residents. Off-plan financing is more limited and, where available, typically requires a larger down payment.
What's the minimum income to get a Dubai mortgage as a non-resident?
Most banks set a minimum monthly income threshold of AED 15,000–25,000 or the equivalent in your home currency, alongside a Debt Burden Ratio cap of 50% of gross income including existing debts.
How long does a non-resident mortgage application take in Dubai?
Typically 3–8 weeks from application to disbursement, depending on the bank and how quickly documentation, including notarisation or apostille of foreign documents, is provided.
Get bank-specific terms before you commit
Tell us your target budget and nationality, and we'll connect you with a RERA-registered mortgage broker who can confirm current terms across multiple banks.
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