NON-RESIDENT & OVERSEAS BUYER MORTGAGES
Buy in the UAE from anywhere in the world.
You do not need to live in the UAE to own a home or investment property here. We help overseas buyers compare non-resident mortgages from leading UAE banks, with low-document options and a process you can complete almost entirely from home. No fee to you, the bank pays us when your mortgage completes.
We work with the UAE's leading lenders, giving you whole-of-market access to 19+ banks
+ more lenders
A representative selection of the UAE lenders we compare.
Who qualifies for a non-resident mortgage
UAE banks lend to overseas buyers every day, but each lender has its own rulebook on nationality, country of residence and how income is assessed. The good news: if you have a stable income and are buying a completed property in an eligible area, there is usually a bank that will work with you. Our job is to know which ones, before you apply.
Most non-resident applicants fall into one of these profiles. You do not need to tick every box, and a quick eligibility check tells us exactly which banks fit your situation.
- Salaried professionals employed by a recognised company in your home country
- Self-employed owners and directors with an established, profitable business
- Buyers from a wide range of nationalities, though some banks restrict certain countries (we will confirm yours up front)
- Buyers purchasing a completed, ready property in a designated freehold area
- Applicants typically aged {{21}} to {{65}} at the end of the loan term (indicative, varies by lender)
- Buyers who can evidence the source of their deposit and ongoing income
Low-document offers and a remote process
Two things put overseas buyers off: the paperwork and the assumption that they have to fly in repeatedly. Neither has to be true.
A handful of UAE lenders offer streamlined, low-document mortgages for non-residents, designed around the reality that you may not have UAE payslips or a local bank statement. Instead of a thick file, these products lean on simpler proof of income and a larger deposit to balance the bank's risk. They are not available to everyone, and the rate is usually a little higher than a fully-documented loan, but they can turn a difficult application into a straightforward one.
Where a low-doc route is not the best fit, a standard non-resident mortgage is still very achievable with a complete document pack. Either way, almost every step happens remotely. Documents are shared securely online, the bank's assessment and valuation happen in the UAE, and the only moment that may need an in-person presence is the final signing, which can often be handled through a Power of Attorney or at a UAE embassy or consulate near you.
LTV, deposit and rate ranges for non-residents
Non-resident lending is more conservative than resident lending, which mainly shows up in the deposit you need. Expect to put down a larger share of the purchase price, and to budget for upfront costs on top of the deposit.
The figures below are indicative and depend on the bank, the property and your profile. We confirm exact numbers for your case before you commit to anything.
Typical LTV
60–75%
Non-resident lending is more conservative.
Deposit
25–40%
Plan for a larger deposit plus buying costs.
Costs
6–8%
Indicative transfer, registration and fees.
Currency
AED
Pegged to USD; plan FX if income is elsewhere.
Banks that lend to non-residents
Not every UAE bank lends to overseas buyers, and those that do apply different rules on eligible nationalities, minimum income and maximum loan-to-value. That is exactly where a whole-of-market broker earns its place: we match you to the lenders most likely to say yes, on the best terms, rather than letting you apply blind and risk a recorded decline.
We compare {{19}}+ UAE banks and lenders, including names you will recognise:
Document checklist for overseas applicants
Gathering documents early is the single biggest thing that speeds up an overseas application. Requirements vary between standard and low-document products, and your advisor will give you a tailored list, but most non-resident files include the following. Documents in a language other than English or Arabic usually need a certified translation, and some banks ask for documents to be attested.
Document pack
What the bank will ask for
How the remote process works
The journey is built so you can do almost all of it from your sofa. Here is the typical path from first enquiry to keys, with indicative timings. Your advisor handles the back-and-forth with the bank at every stage, and keeps you updated.
Step 1Apply from anywhere
Start your application online from your home country, in minutes.
Step 2Upload documents
Share your passport, income and bank statements securely and digitally.
Step 3Bank assessment & valuation
We package your case and the lender values the property in the UAE.
Step 4Sign & complete
Sign remotely via POA or on a short trip, then we manage completion.
Check your eligibility
See which UAE banks can lend to you in about 2 minutes
- Which lenders are likely to approve you
- Your estimated borrowing range
- Indicative rates for your profile
- A dedicated advisor to take it from here
FAQ
Questions, answered
Do I have to be a UAE resident to get a mortgage here?
No. UAE banks lend to non-residents living overseas, although fewer lenders offer it and the terms are more conservative than for residents, mainly a larger deposit and a slightly higher rate. We will tell you which banks lend to your nationality and country of residence before you apply.
How much deposit do I need as a non-resident?
Expect to put down more than a resident would. As an indicative guide, non-resident deposits typically range from {{25}}% to {{40}}% of the purchase price, with the rest funded by the mortgage. You should also budget roughly {{6}}% to {{8}}% (indicative) for transfer, registration and fees on top. We confirm the exact figures for your specific case.
Will I be taxed on a UAE property?
The UAE does not levy personal income tax or an annual property tax in the way many other countries do, and there is no capital gains tax on residential property for individuals. However, you may still have tax obligations in your home country on overseas income or gains, so we always recommend taking independent tax advice in your country of residence. Upscore introduces you to mortgages only and does not give tax advice.
What happens with currency and exchange rates?
Your UAE mortgage is in AED, which is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate. If your income and deposit are in another currency, exchange rate movements will affect how much your repayments cost you in your home currency over time. Many overseas buyers use a specialist currency service to manage transfers, and we are happy to flag this as something to plan for.
Do I need to fly to the UAE to sign?
Usually not for most of the process. Documents are shared securely online and the bank's assessment and valuation happen in the UAE without you. The final signing sometimes requires an in-person presence, but this can often be handled at a UAE embassy or consulate near you, or by granting a trusted person a Power of Attorney to sign on your behalf.
Can I get an Islamic, Sharia-compliant mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes. Lenders such as Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank offer Sharia-compliant home finance to overseas buyers. The structure differs from a conventional mortgage, but the deposit, documents and remote process work in much the same way. Tell us if this matters to you and we will focus on the right lenders.
Is there any fee for using Upscore?
No fee to you. The bank pays us when your mortgage completes, so our whole-of-market advice and the work we do on your application cost you nothing.
Your UAE home is closer than you think.
Start with a free 2-minute eligibility check. See which UAE banks can lend to you as an overseas buyer, with no obligation and no impact on your credit.