Can You Get a Mortgage on Off-Plan Property in Dubai? LTV and Foreigners

General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current terms with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), RERA or a lawyer before you sign. Official sources were checked on 3 November 2026.

Short answer: You can register a mortgage on an off-plan unit in Dubai, but UAE Central Bank rules cap the loan at 50% of the property value for off-plan, lower than for ready homes. Whether a bank lends to a non-resident, and when it pays out before handover, depends on the lender, so ask banks for terms in writing before you rely on a mortgage.

What does the UAE Central Bank allow for off-plan mortgages?

The Central Bank of the UAE's Financial Stability Report 2025 sets out loan-to-value (LTV) limits: for a first home worth up to AED 5 million, a maximum of 85% for UAE nationals and 80% for expatriates, and for off-plan schemes a maximum of 50% of the property value for both. The same table caps the debt burden ratio at 50% of gross monthly income and the maximum tenor at 25 years. The report notes the limits are different for owner-occupied, subsequent and off-plan properties. We could not open the Central Bank rulebook directly, so confirm the current rule with a lender.

How does mortgage registration work for off-plan?

• DLD registers mortgages over provisional (off-plan) units, with a developer NOC (e-NOC) required via Dubai REST.
• The mortgage registration fee is 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus a partner service fee of AED 5,000 + VAT for provisional mortgages.
• Law No. 14 of 2008 requires an off-plan mortgage to be registered in the Interim Real Property Register, otherwise it is void, according to DLD's investor guide.
• A developer can register an initial sale together with a mortgage in one Oqood request, with documents including the bank letter and mortgage contracts.

Can foreigners and non-residents get a mortgage on off-plan?

The Central Bank table distinguishes UAE nationals and expatriates, not residency, so we could not verify a non-resident-specific LTV from an official source. Figures of 50% to 65% for non-residents appear only on broker sites and in bank policy. Whether a bank disburses before handover is lender policy: many buyers pay the plan from their own funds and arrange a mortgage near handover, but check each bank. For rules on buying in general see how to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner and the international mortgage guide.

Example: what a 50% limit means

Illustrative arithmetic only. On a AED 1,000,000 off-plan unit with a 50% LTV cap, the maximum loan is AED 500,000, so you would need at least AED 500,000 of your own money, plus fees such as the 4% registration fee. Test payments with the Dubai mortgage calculator and compare the plan: payment plans explained.

Questions to ask a bank

• What LTV do you offer on this specific off-plan project, and for my residency?
• Do you lend before handover, or only on completion?
• Is the project on your approved list, and what percentage must I have paid?
• What are the fees, rate and early-settlement terms?

Compare the option of waiting for a ready unit: off-plan vs ready.

Related: how to buy property in Dubai, Dubai market and prices, the off-plan guide, the Dubai mortgage calculator and our Dubai city guide. Figures change, so confirm current rules with official sources. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Sources

• Central Bank of the UAE: Financial Stability Report 2025 (LTV requirements)
• DLD: Request for mortgage registration (checked 3 Nov 2026)
• DLD: Sale registration with an initial mortgage (checked 3 Nov 2026)
• DLD: Know your rights for real estate investors (older guide)
• Law No. (13) of 2008 regulating the Interim Real Property Register in Dubai

Frequently asked questions

Can you get a mortgage on off-plan property in Dubai?

Yes, a mortgage over an off-plan unit can be registered with DLD. Central Bank rules cap off-plan loans at 50% of the property value, and the lender decides whether and when to pay out.

What is the maximum LTV for off-plan in the UAE?

The Central Bank's Financial Stability Report 2025 shows a maximum of 50% of property value for off-plan schemes, for both UAE nationals and expatriates.

Can non-residents get an off-plan mortgage in Dubai?

We could not verify a non-resident LTV from an official source. Ask the bank for its terms in writing for your residency.

Do banks lend before the off-plan property is finished?

That is lender policy. DLD allows provisional mortgages to be registered, but many buyers arrange financing near handover. Check with each bank.

What fees apply to an off-plan mortgage?

DLD's mortgage registration fee is 0.25% of the mortgage value, plus a partner service fee of AED 5,000 + VAT for provisional mortgages, plus bank fees.