Expat Mortgage in Dubai
As an expat in the UAE, buying your own home is easier than you think. We compare 20+ banks to find you the best rate — at no cost to you.
80%
Max LTV
3.49% p.a.
Rates from
20+
Banks compared
48 hrs
Pre-approval
Expat Mortgage Eligibility
Valid UAE resident visa (all nationalities welcome)
Minimum monthly salary AED 10,000
Employed by a government, semi-government, or listed company preferred
Debt burden ratio (DBR) below 50% of monthly income
Clean Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) record
Minimum 6 months with current employer recommended
The Complete Expat Mortgage Guide
How much can you borrow as an expat?
The UAE Central Bank caps expat mortgages at 80% loan-to-value (LTV) for properties up to AED 5 million. This means a minimum 20% down payment plus transfer fees (approximately 4% DLD fee). For properties above AED 5M the cap drops to 70%. Banks calculate your maximum loan using a debt burden ratio: your total monthly debt repayments — including the new mortgage — cannot exceed 50% of your gross monthly salary. A typical salaried expat earning AED 20,000/month can qualify for a loan of around AED 1.5–1.8 million depending on their existing commitments.
What banks look at — and how to strengthen your profile
UAE banks assess four main factors: your employer (government and multinational employees get the best rates), your nationality (some banks have internal country exposure limits), your income stability (consistent payslips, no recent job changes), and your UAE credit history via the AECB. The single strongest thing you can do is apply through a broker like Loanex — we know which banks are actively lending to your profile and nationality, saving you rejected applications that hurt your AECB score.
The step-by-step process
Step 1: Pre-approval — submit 3 months payslips, 6 months bank statements, passport + visa copy, and a salary certificate. Step 2: Loanex submits to multiple banks simultaneously and returns comparison offers within 48–72 hours. Step 3: You select a property and apply for final approval (valuation fee required, typically AED 2,500–3,500). Step 4: Bank issues a formal offer letter. Step 5: Transfer at Dubai Land Department — you'll pay the 4% DLD fee, 2% agency fee, and the bank's arrangement fee (typically 0.25–1% of loan).
Frequently Asked Questions
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