Frequently asked questions about investing in Dubai

Yes. Foreigners can buy freehold properties in Dubai in over 60 designated zones. No prior residency, local sponsor, or Emirati nationality is required. The purchase process typically takes 30-60 days.

The practical minimum investment starts from AED 500,000 (~USD 136,000) in accessible areas like JVC or Arjan. To qualify for the Golden Visa, you need AED 2,000,000 (~USD 545,000). Off-plan payment plans allow entry with just 20% down payment and 1% monthly during construction.

The average gross ROI in Dubai is 7-10% per year from rental income, higher than Madrid (3-4%), Barcelona (3%), Mexico City (4-5%), or Miami (5-6%). The most profitable areas are JVC (8-9%), Arjan (8-9%), Business Bay (7-8%), and Dubai Marina (6.5-7.5%).

No. Dubai (and UAE in general) offers 0% personal income tax, 0% capital gains tax, 0% tax on rental income received, and 0% inheritance tax. There is only a 9% corporate tax on business profits exceeding AED 375,000 (does not affect personal investment).

The main risks are: price variability (mitigated by sustained market growth), delays in off-plan deliveries (mitigated by working with Tier 1 developers), regulatory changes (rare, RERA is stable), and currency volatility if your local currency fluctuates against the USD/AED.

The Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit (10 years renewable) obtained by investing AED 2,000,000+ in real estate properties in freehold zones. It covers the holder, spouse, and dependent children, with no minimum presence requirement in the UAE.

Yes. The Golden Visa is a residence permit; it does not imply automatic tax residency. Your tax residency depends on where you spend more than 183 days per year and your home country's laws. We recommend consulting with a tax advisor before making decisions.

During the visa validity period (10 years), you can sell the property and the visa remains active. However, when renewing the Golden Visa after 10 years, you must have replaced the property with another of equal or greater value to maintain eligibility.

The complete process from property selection to Title Deed registered with DLD takes between 30 and 60 days. If you also apply for a Golden Visa, add an additional 2-4 weeks for visa approval.

Not necessarily. With a Power of Attorney (notarized power of attorney), Aura Nova Real Estate can manage the complete purchase remotely. You only need to travel for the final Emirates ID biometrics, which is done in a 2-3 day visit.

Off-plan properties are those purchased during the construction phase, directly from the developer. They typically have launch prices 10-20% lower than the secondary market, with flexible payment plans (20% down payment + 1% monthly during construction).

Yes, if you work with verified Tier 1 developers (Emaar, Damac, Nakheel, Sobha, Aldar). RERA regulates all projects and requires escrow accounts to protect buyer funds. Aura Nova Real Estate only works with developers with proven on-time delivery track records.

Typical transaction costs are ~5-7% of the property value: 4% DLD Fee (registration), AED 580 administrative fee, AED 500-5,000 developer NOC, 2% agent commission (Aura Nova Real Estate included at no extra cost), and AED 5,000-15,000 legal conveyancing.

Yes. Foreigners can obtain mortgages in Dubai with a maximum LTV of 50% (non-residents) or 80% (residents with Golden Visa). Current interest rates: 3.99-5.5% per year. Terms up to 25 years. Main banks: Emirates NBD, Mashreq, HSBC, FAB, ADCB.

Yes. Most Golden Visa investors rent out their property to generate returns. Rental income is tax-exempt in the UAE. Aura Nova Real Estate connects clients with professional property managers who handle rentals for a 5-8% commission.

Monthly living cost for a family of 4 ranges from USD 6,000 (mid-range lifestyle) to USD 30,000 (luxury). Includes rent, food, international education, transportation, and healthcare. With no personal income tax, the net result is favorable compared to Madrid or Mexico City.

Yes. The Iberian School Dubai is the only school with an official Spanish curriculum in Dubai (AED 35-55K/year). Additionally, there are dozens of high-quality British, American, and IB schools: GEMS Wellington, American School of Dubai, JESS, Dubai International Academy.

Yes. Over 200 nationalities live in the UAE, with significant communities from Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East. The city is exceptionally cosmopolitan with international restaurants, cultural events, and business networks.

Aura Nova Real Estate is the first AI-powered real estate investment platform specialized in the United Arab Emirates. We combine proprietary AI that analyzes 2,400+ properties in real time, DLD data, AI Score per property, duplicate detection, and multilingual human advisory. No cost to the investor.

Zero cost to the investor. We work on developer commissions when a transaction closes, so the price you pay for a property is exactly the same as if you bought directly. All advisory, AI analysis, and process management are included.

More than 350 international families advised, 180+ Golden Visas obtained, USD 95M+ in facilitated investment, 99.4% visa approval rate. We serve clients from over 30 countries globally.

It's very simple: schedule a free consultation (30-45 min video call in your language) at auranovarealestate.com/interes or write to us at ricardo@auranovarealestate.com. We'll explain the market, analyze your profile, and recommend the best options based on your goals. No commitment.