Mortgage Rules for Non-Residents Buying in Dubai (2026)

Non-resident buyers can secure mortgage financing on Dubai property, but the rules sit on top of the resident framework rather than next to it. The UAE Central Bank's Mortgage Underwriting Standards (Notice 31/2013, as amended) set the floor; individual banks layer their own appetite on top.

Down payment minimums for non-residents

For non-resident buyers, the minimum down payment is typically 25% on a primary or secondary residence under AED 5 million, and 35% on a property above AED 5 million. This is higher than the 20% minimum for resident expatriates. Some private-banking-tier relationships negotiate lower numbers, but the published floor is the right starting assumption.

Loan-to-value caps

• Resident expatriates: up to 80% LTV under AED 5m, 70% above AED 5m.
• Non-residents: up to 75% LTV under AED 5m, 65% above AED 5m (bank-dependent).
• Off-plan: typically capped at 50% LTV regardless of residency.
• Second residential property: 60% LTV across the board.

Debt Burden Ratio (DBR)

The Central Bank caps total debt service at 50% of monthly income for individuals. This includes existing personal loans, car finance, credit-card minimums, and any school fee instalments. For non-residents, banks typically apply a more conservative internal cap of 35–45%, and require documented income from the source country with translated and attested payslips and bank statements.

Loan term limits

The maximum mortgage term in the UAE is 25 years. The maximum age at the end of the loan is typically 65 for salaried borrowers and 70 for self-employed borrowers. Non-residents are sometimes capped at 20 years depending on the lender and the source country.

What to prepare before applying

• Six months of personal bank statements from your country of residence.
• Three months of payslips, or two years of audited financials if self-employed.
• A clean credit report from your home country, attested if possible.
• Source-of-funds documentation for the down payment — every UAE bank now scrutinises this.
• A valuation appointment with a bank-approved valuer (the bank arranges this).

These figures are indicative and the rules update periodically. We are not licensed mortgage advisors — for confirmed numbers, terms, and pre-approval, consult a licensed UAE mortgage broker before committing to a property.