Buying property in Dubai as a non-resident

You do not need a UAE residence visa to buy in a freehold area. DLD accepts a valid passport for non-resident buyers and sellers, and the sale service is open to all residency statuses. Typical costs: DLD fee 4% of the price (officially 2% buyer + 2% seller, usually paid by the buyer), trustee office fee (AED 2,000 or 4,000 + VAT depending on price), title deed and map fees, broker commission (market practice) and, for off-plan, the developer's payment plan through an escrow account. You can attend in person or act through a special power of attorney that is notarised in your country, attested by your foreign ministry and the UAE embassy, then by UAE MOFA, and legally translated into Arabic (see the POA topic). Mortgages for non-residents exist at some banks but with stricter conditions; fees and down payment are paid in cash. Owning property can also make you eligible for a property investor visa (see the visa topic). Always check the broker licence and the project registration on the Dubai REST app.