Buying Dubai property from Pakistan: a practical guide

Yes. Dubai allows foreign nationals to own property outright (freehold) in designated freehold areas, which include most of the communities overseas buyers look at, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate and Jumeirah Village Circle. Pakistani buyers are treated the same as any other foreign buyer.

You do not need to live in the UAE or hold a UAE visa to buy. Your ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), which issues the title deed, or for off-plan homes an interim registration known as Oqood.

Payments to developers and sellers go through banks, and UAE anti-money-laundering rules mean the developer, broker and bank will ask where the money came from. Keep bank statements and documents that show the source of funds.

If you live in Pakistan, moving money abroad is governed by State Bank of Pakistan foreign exchange rules, and Pakistani tax residents generally need to declare foreign assets to the FBR. The rules change and depend on your situation, so speak to your bank and a Pakistani tax adviser before you transfer anything. Do not use informal channels such as hawala: payments that cannot be traced can be refused, and they put the purchase at risk.

If you live in the UK, Canada, the Gulf or elsewhere, you will usually pay from an account in that country. The same paper-trail principle applies.

Yes. Many overseas buyers reserve and pay remotely. For the transfer itself, you can either attend in person or appoint someone in Dubai through a power of attorney. A power of attorney signed in Pakistan normally has to be notarised and then attested through the relevant authorities, including the UAE embassy or consulate, before it is accepted in Dubai. Ask for the exact wording required before you sign it.

For off-plan purchases, most of the steps (reservation, sale agreement, Oqood registration and instalments) can be completed remotely with the developer.

Off-plan homes are bought from the developer before completion and paid in instalments, which spreads the cost. Your payments go into a regulated escrow account for the project. The trade-off is delivery risk: timing and finish depend on the developer.

Ready homes can be lived in or rented straight away, but usually need most of the price up front, or a mortgage. Non-residents can get UAE mortgages from some banks, normally with a larger deposit than residents.

Owning property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa, renewable, through the Dubai Land Department. The property can be one home or several, and can be mortgaged if the bank confirms the amount paid. Our Golden Visa guide covers the details.