FAQs
- Dubai Off-Plan Investment
- NRI Investor Guide
- Updated July 2026
- Dubai Off-Plan Investment
- NRI Investor Guide
- Updated July 2026
Rental yields in Dubai typically run 6 to 8%, more than double what you would see in most Indian cities at 2 to 3%. Add zero tax on rental income, full capital repatriation and a currency pegged to the USD, and you are earning in a stable currency with no hidden costs when you move money back to India.
Very. Every transaction is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and overseen by RERA, giving buyers some of the strongest legal protections anywhere. On off plan purchases specifically, developer funds sit in escrow and only get released as construction hits agreed milestones, so your money is not just handed over on trust.
The UAE itself charges no property tax, capital gains tax or income tax. That said, if you are an Indian tax resident, rental income from a Dubai property may still need to be reported under Indian tax law. We recommend speaking with a CA who specializes in cross border filings, and we can introduce you to one.
Yes, without restriction. The UAE has no capital controls, so sale proceeds, rental income and profits all move freely to India, subject to the usual FEMA reporting rules on your end.
You are buying directly from the developer before the building exists, locking in current pricing with a smaller upfront payment, then paying the rest in installments as construction progresses. Because you are in early, many investors capture 20 to 40% appreciation between booking and handover.
It usually looks like this. An EOI or booking payment of AED 20,000 or 2% of the unit value, followed by 20% plus 4% DLD fee plus roughly AED 5,000 in admin costs within 30 to 45 days, then 70% spread across construction milestones, then the final 30% at handover. Some projects also offer post handover payment plans if you need more time.
It is a one time government registration charge equal to 4% of the property's value, paid by the buyer at registration. Certain developers run DLD waiver promotions as launch incentives, and we keep track of which current projects include that.
RERA regulation means developer funds stay in escrow and only release at construction milestones, so your money is not sitting unprotected. If a developer cancels, buyers are entitled to a full refund. We also limit ourselves to Tier 1 developers such as Emaar, DAMAC, Sobha, Binghatti, Azizi and Danube, specifically because of their delivery track record.
Yes. This is called a resale or assignment. Once you have paid roughly 30 to 40% of the unit's value, you are free to sell it on to another buyer, which is a common way investors lock in gains before waiting all the way to handover.
It starts with understanding what you are actually after: budget, timeline, whether you are chasing yield or appreciation, and your risk comfort. From there we shortlist options from our network of authorised developers and walk you through unit level numbers before recommending anything.
No. We are compensated directly by the developers as an authorised brokerage, so there is no markup or added cost to you. You would pay the same price booking through us as booking directly, except you also get access to pre launch inventory and negotiated terms you would not get on your own.
We are authorised partners with Emaar, DAMAC, Sobha, Binghatti, Azizi and Danube, developers with strong handover histories and solid resale demand once units complete.
That is most of our client base, actually. The whole process, including shortlisting, EOI, booking and signing the SPA via DocuSign, can be done remotely from India or wherever you are based. We handle the developer coordination and keep you posted at each milestone.
We do not disappear after the sale. We follow up on your Oqood registration, keep you updated through construction and help you list the unit for rent or resale once it is ready. If you would rather not manage tenants yourself, we can also connect you with property management partners.
Dubai runs 6 to 8% gross on average, versus 2 to 3% in cities like Mumbai or Bangalore. Areas like Dubai Marina, Downtown and Business Bay tend to hold above 7%, while up and coming spots like JVC and Arjan offer even higher yields at a lower entry price.
Off plan entry starts around AED 500,000, roughly Rs 1.1 Cr, for a studio in newer communities, or AED 800,000 to 1.2M, about Rs 1.8 to 2.7 Cr, for a one bedroom in established areas. Expect your initial booking outlay to land around 20 to 24% of the total value, fees included.
The AED has been pegged to the USD at 3.67 since 1997, so that part is stable. What tends to work in your favor is that the INR has historically weakened against the USD over time, meaning your AED returns are often worth more once converted back to rupees.
You will pay a service or maintenance charge, generally AED 10 to 25 per sqft annually depending on the building, but there is no annual property tax. If the unit is rented out, the tenant covers DEWA utility costs. Overall holding costs tend to run lower than in most comparable markets.
Most investors plan around a 3 to 5 year hold. Buy at pre launch pricing, ride out construction, then either sell at handover for a 20 to 40% gain or keep it as a rental earning 6 to 8% a year. We will model both paths with you before you commit to anything.
Just a valid passport, PAN card and proof of address. No UAE residency visa is required. The developer will run standard KYC checks under UAE AML rules, and we walk you through each document as it comes up.
It is the official off plan registration issued by the DLD, and it is your legal proof of ownership while the building is still under construction, before the final Title Deed exists. It typically gets issued within 30 days of signing the SPA.
The Sale and Purchase Agreement is the binding contract between you and the developer, covering unit specs, payment schedule, handover date and your protections as a buyer. It is usually sent for e signature via DocuSign within 2 to 4 weeks of booking.
Yes. Dubai has designated freehold zones where non residents, including NRIs, can hold full ownership. Every project we work with sits within these freehold areas.
You make the final payment, get the keys and the DLD transfers the Title Deed into your name. From there, it is yours to rent out, sell or mortgage as you like.