How to buy an off-plan property in Dubai from abroad: step by step

In short: what the purchase consists of

Buying an off-plan apartment in Dubai can be done almost entirely remotely: you choose a project, check the developer and the project in Dubai Land Department (DLD) open data, sign a sale and purchase agreement (SPA), the developer registers the sale in the interim register through the Oqood system, and you then pay by schedule into the project's escrow account. Once construction is complete, the unit moves to the main property register and a Title Deed is issued. Below is every step in order, based on official rules as of October 2026.

Step 1. Choose a project and confirm a foreigner can own it

In Dubai, foreigners, including those who do not live in the UAE, may acquire freehold ownership in areas designated for ownership by non-nationals. There is no age limit to own property — this is stated on the UAE government portal u.ae. The new developments in our catalogue are in such areas; you can browse new projects or ready-made collections by budget, handover date or payment terms.

When choosing, look beyond price and layout:

• the payment plan: how much is paid before and after handover (see the post-handover payment plan selection);
• the planned completion date and current completion percentage;
• the annual service charges after handover (covered in our costs article);
• the developer's track record — company profiles are in the developers section.

Step 2. Check the developer and the project with DLD

This is the buyer's main safeguard. The official tools are free:

• Licensed Developers — the list of developers approved by the Land Department, available on the DLD website and in the Dubai REST app.
• Project Status Enquiry (Mashrooi) — shows the project's status, completion percentage, developer details and escrow account details.

Dubai Law No. 13 of 2008 prohibits a developer from starting a project or selling units off-plan before taking possession of the land and obtaining all required approvals. If a project is not in the DLD system or has no escrow account, stop and ask questions.

Step 3. Reservation and the sale and purchase agreement (SPA)

A buyer usually reserves a specific unit first and then signs the SPA with the developer. The reservation amount and how it is credited are set by the developer, so read these terms before paying. In the SPA, check:

• the exact unit number, area and price;
• the payment schedule and the project's escrow account details;
• the planned completion date and handover procedure;
• who pays the DLD registration fee and administrative costs.

The agreement is signed by the developer and the purchaser; if the purchaser is a minor, a guardian signs.

Step 4. Oqood registration — the DLD interim register

An off-plan sale is registered in the Interim Property Register through the developers' Oqood portal. Under Law No. 13 of 2008, any disposition of an off-plan unit that is not entered in this register is void. The DLD service page states that the contract must be registered within 90 days of signing, and the purchaser receives a provisional registration e-certificate by email.

If a developer refuses or delays registering the contract, DLD explains that the buyer can apply to the Real Estate Registration Assurance section with supporting documents.

Step 5. The DLD registration fee — 4%

The registration fee is 4% of the property value. DLD's fee schedule shows it as 2% from the seller and 2% from the purchaser, but for off-plan purchases DLD states directly that the buyer pays the registration fee to the developer, who must remit it within 60 days. DLD lists the payment methods as a bank cheque via the Noqodi service, the project escrow account, or ePay channels. The schedule also lists AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. Which party actually pays the 4% is fixed in the SPA — another reason to read it before signing. A full cost table is in our article on purchase costs.

Step 6. Payment plan and escrow account

Off-plan buyers' money does not go into the developer's general funds. Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, each project has a separate escrow account with an approved bank; the funds are dedicated exclusively to building that project and cannot be attached by the developer's creditors. DLD confirms that all payments received from buyers must be paid into the escrow account. After the completion certificate is issued, the escrow agent retains 5% of the account for one year after units are registered to buyers, as a guarantee for fixing defects.

Step 7. Paying from abroad

Buyers from Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries most often pay by bank transfer (SWIFT) in dirhams or another currency to the escrow account stated in the SPA or in the developer's official payment request. Practical rules:

1. check bank details only against the SPA and official developer letters; the account is opened in the project's name;
2. put the unit number and buyer's name in the payment reference;
3. keep transfer confirmations (SWIFT/MT103) and the developer's receipts;
4. expect the sending or receiving bank to ask for source-of-funds documents — each bank sets its own requirements.

Currency and tax rules in your home country are a separate matter; check them with your bank or adviser. We do not give tax advice.

Step 8. Completion, handover and Title Deed

After receiving the completion certificate, the developer must enter the project in the main DLD Property Register and register units in the names of purchasers who have fulfilled their contractual obligations (Law No. 13 of 2008). DLD may also register the unit in the buyer's name at the buyer's request. The final document is the Title Deed (Certificate of Title); DLD's fee schedule lists AED 250 for issuing it, and the exact fees are confirmed at the transaction. Before key handover there is usually a unit inspection and final settlement under the SPA.

You can also sell before the unit moves to the main register: DLD explains that assigning the contract is possible after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.

Step 9. Can you buy fully remotely — power of attorney

Yes. DLD allows a representative to act under an official power of attorney within its limits. A power of attorney issued outside the UAE must be legalised in a chain: the notary public and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, the UAE Embassy in that country, and then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to DLD, a power of attorney for purchase is valid for five years from notarisation, and for sale, mortgage and gifts for two years. Many developers sign SPAs electronically, so a power of attorney may not be needed at the off-plan stage — it depends on the developer.

Checklist before paying

• The developer is on the DLD Licensed Developers list.
• The project appears in Project Status with an escrow account.
• The payment details match the project's escrow account.
• The SPA clearly states who pays the 4% DLD fee and admin fees.
• After signing, you received the Oqood registration certificate.

We work directly with developers and charge buyers no commission: 0% is company policy. If you need help choosing or checking a project, start with the new projects catalogue.