Can a non-resident get a mortgage in the UAE?
Updated: · By Aknaz Mortgages, RERA ORN 48584
Yes: selected UAE banks lend to non-residents at a lower loan-to-value than residents, and the property is registered in your name at the DLD. Salaried non-residents can borrow 60–65% and self-employed 50–60%, up to 65% with some banks. Limits vary by bank and by case.
Who this is for
- Overseas buyers purchasing a home in the UAE without UAE residency.
- Expats who have left the UAE but keep income abroad.
- Salaried and self-employed non-residents comparing the deposit they need.
- Salaried people whose employer has no UAE trade licence (a company based outside the UAE).
Key numbers
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan-to-value, non-residents | 50–65% |
| Maximum debt-burden ratio (all monthly repayments ÷ gross monthly income) | 50% |
| Maximum mortgage term | 25 years |
| Minimum borrower age | 21 |
Sources: CBUAE Mortgage Loans Regulation; UAE bank practice (varies by bank). Figures checked on .
What banks look for
- A bigger deposit. Salaried non-residents can borrow 60–65% of the price, self-employed 50–60% (up to 65% with some banks).
- Your income. All monthly repayments, including debts abroad the bank can see, within 50% of your gross income.
- Paperwork from abroad. We tell you what your bank needs at the start and collect it with you.
- Your age. The term ends by age 65 for non-residents, and is capped at 25 years.
The property is registered in your name at the Dubai Land Department, and the usual purchase fees apply.
We do the numbers
You do not need to work any of this out yourself. Your advisor checks your figures against each bank’s rules, tells you which banks fit and what you can borrow, and submits your application the same day.
How long it takes
Our team confirms what your bank needs at the start. Paperwork from abroad can add days to the bank's review.
Frequently asked questions
What LTV do non-residents get?
Salaried non-residents can borrow 60–65% of the price and self-employed non-residents 50–60%, up to 65% with some banks. The limit varies by bank, so the deposit is the rest of the price. We confirm the figure for your bank.
Can I buy off-plan as a non-resident?
Off-plan mortgages are capped at 50% of the price, and selected developers and projects qualify. Whether a non-resident can borrow depends on the bank and the project, so confirm both before you pay a reservation fee. Many buyers fund the plan themselves until handover.
What age limits apply to non-residents?
The term is capped at 25 years and, in our calculations, ends by age 65 for non-residents. Most banks lend from age 21, with exceptions possible case by case. A shorter term means a higher instalment for the same loan, which lowers the amount the 50% debt-burden ratio allows.
Related guides and tools
Sources
Talk it through with an advisor
A licensed mortgage advisor at Aknaz Mortgages.