Many of our clients buy in Dubai while living elsewhere. Most of the process can be handled remotely, provided the paperwork, banking and timing are planned with care. This guide covers remote viewings, powers of attorney, moving funds, mortgages for non-residents, residency and tax. Rules change, so we confirm the current position before you act.
Buying without being here
Much of a Dubai purchase can be managed from abroad. Our advisors run video viewings, share floor plans, transaction evidence and building details, and answer questions at times that suit you. Documents such as offers and Form F can usually be signed electronically, and many steps with developers and banks are handled by email and secure document upload.
Some steps still need a person present, most often the transfer at the DLD trustee office. You can travel for that appointment or appoint a representative under a power of attorney. We plan the timeline around your travel, so you only need to be in Dubai when it matters. Rules on remote procedures change, and we confirm current options first.
- Video viewings and written property reports
- Electronic signing of offers and Form F
- Secure document exchange with banks and developers
- Transfer in person or by power of attorney
Using a power of attorney
A power of attorney allows someone you trust to sign and act for you in Dubai. Keep it specific: name the property, the actions permitted and, ideally, when the authority ends. A general power is broader than most buyers need. The person you appoint can then attend the trustee office, sign transfer documents and collect the title deed on your behalf.
A power of attorney signed abroad usually needs notarisation in that country, attestation by the UAE embassy there and further attestation in the UAE, and often a legal translation into Arabic. A power signed in Dubai is notarised locally. Trustee offices check these documents closely, so we review the wording before you sign to avoid delays on transfer day.
- Name the property and the permitted actions
- Notarise and attest it if signed abroad
- Arrange legal translation into Arabic where needed
- Revoke it once the purchase is complete
Moving funds and banking
The price and fees at transfer are usually paid by manager’s cheques drawn on a UAE bank, so plan how your funds will arrive. Many overseas buyers open a UAE account, and some banks offer accounts to non-residents, subject to their own checks. Allow time for international transfers to clear, and agree the exchange rate in advance for large sums.
Banks, developers and brokerages must check the source of funds for property purchases under anti-money laundering rules. Expect to provide identification, proof of address and evidence of where the money comes from, such as bank statements or sale documents. Preparing these early avoids delays. We tell you at the start exactly what each party will ask for.
Property and residency
Owning property in Dubai does not by itself give you the right to live there, but it can support residency in some cases. The main route is the Golden Visa, available to property owners who meet the threshold of AED 2 million. It is granted for 10 years, renewable, and can allow you to sponsor close family members.
Other property-linked residence options may exist below that threshold, on different terms. Each route has conditions on how the property is held, whether it is mortgaged or off-plan, and the documents required. The immigration authorities set and update these rules. We confirm the current position before you buy, so the purchase supports your residency plans as intended.
Tax at home and in the UAE
At the time of writing, the UAE does not levy personal income tax on rental income and does not charge capital gains tax to individuals on property sales. VAT applies to some services, such as brokerage commission. If you hold property through a company, different rules can apply, so take advice before deciding how to own.
Your home country may tax rental income or gains from Dubai property, and tax treaties between your country and the UAE may affect the position. Check with a tax adviser where you are resident before you buy. We do not give tax advice, but we can provide the transaction documents your adviser will need to assess your position.
- No personal income tax on rental income, at the time of writing
- No capital gains tax for individuals, at the time of writing
- VAT applies to brokerage and some other services
- Check your home-country tax position before buying
Questions
Do I need to visit Dubai to buy?
Not always. Viewings, offers and most paperwork can be handled remotely, and the transfer can be completed by a representative holding a valid power of attorney. Some buyers prefer to attend in person. We plan the process around your schedule and confirm which steps currently require attendance.
Will I pay tax in the UAE on rental income?
At the time of writing, individuals in the UAE pay no personal income tax on rental income and no capital gains tax on property. Your home country may tax that income or gain, so speak to a tax adviser where you are resident before you buy.