Mortgages for Residents and Non-Residents

Financing is available to residents and non-residents alike, but the terms diverge sharply — and eligibility is decided before you find a property, not after.

Residents and non-residents

UAE residents generally access higher loan-to-value ratios and a wider lender pool. Non-residents can borrow but typically face lower LTVs, higher rates and a shorter list of banks willing to lend.

What lenders assess

• Income and its stability, with self-employed applicants usually facing more documentation
• Existing debt obligations against income
• Age at the end of the loan term
• The property itself — some banks restrict lending on certain buildings or off-plan projects

Off-plan financing

Off-plan is financed differently. Many buyers use the developer's payment plan through construction and arrange a mortgage at handover — which means qualifying twice, under whatever conditions apply at the later date rather than today's.