MAI Real Estate lists property across all seven emirates -- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah -- not just the capital. Select any emirate below to see current listings there, filtered specifically to that market.
UAE property ownership offers Golden Visa eligibility, no personal income or capital gains tax, full freehold title for foreign buyers, and a stable, dollar-pegged economy -- practical benefits that go well beyond the skyline, explained one at a time below.
Qualifying property investment can make you, and your immediate family, eligible for long-term UAE residency -- renewable, with no local sponsor required.
No personal income tax, no capital gains tax on individual property sales. More of what your property earns stays with you.
In designated freehold areas, international buyers own outright -- full title in your name, not a leasehold or local-partner arrangement.
Direct flights to nearly every major city, a currency pegged to the US dollar, and a time zone that bridges Asia, Europe and Africa in a single business day.
Consistently ranked among the world's safest cities, with a regulated, transparent legal framework governing every real estate transaction.
A fast-growing resident population and a constant flow of international arrivals keep genuine demand for well-located property strong.
Many agents are paid to sell you whatever a developer is pushing that month. We are not. MAI Real Estate exists for one relationship: yours. We do not inflate a listing to close a deal, and we will not steer you toward a project simply because it pays a bigger commission.
Our job is to understand what you are actually trying to achieve -- a home, a return, a residency pathway, a legacy asset -- and find the property that genuinely achieves it. That is the entire basis of how we work, and why clients come back and send us their friends.
Where architecture meets ambition -- Dubai's most defining addresses.
Every residence curated for light, view, and presence.
Prime locations across Dubai Marina, Downtown, and the Palm.
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The properties below are a curated selection from MAI's current listings across the UAE, chosen for their location, developer quality, and value relative to comparable units. Browse the full inventory on the Listings page for every emirate and property type currently available.
Each of the UAE's seven emirates offers a genuinely different property market -- from Dubai's established freehold towers to Umm Al Quwain's still-undeveloped coastline. The right choice depends on whether you're prioritizing liquidity, lifestyle, or long-term appreciation.
Dubai remains the UAE's largest and most liquid freehold market, anchored by Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Business Bay. Abu Dhabi has expanded its own foreign-ownership zones significantly, with Saadiyat Island and Yas Island now established destinations for waterfront and cultural-district living, alongside the emirate's institutional stability as the UAE capital.
Sharjah offers a lower entry point with a strong cultural identity, popular with residents who commute into Dubai. Ajman's Corniche has seen steady waterfront development at accessible price points. Umm Al Quwain remains the UAE's quietest coastline -- largely undeveloped lagoon and mangrove terrain, attracting early-stage investors betting on long-term appreciation as infrastructure catches up with its neighbors.
RAK has moved from a value-focused market to a genuine investment destination, driven by Wynn Al Marjan Island (the region's first integrated casino resort) and Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak. Al Marjan Island freehold property has seen some of the steepest price appreciation of any UAE emirate over the past two years.
The only emirate with its coastline entirely on the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf, Fujairah offers a genuinely different landscape -- the Hajar Mountains meeting the sea directly, with none of the man-made islands found elsewhere in the UAE. A smaller market, favored by buyers prioritizing natural scenery and a quieter pace over urban density.
A typical purchase moves through six stages, from an initial conversation about your goals to registered ownership with the Dubai Land Department. Off-plan reservations can move in days; resale purchases typically take 30-60 days start to finish.
Every engagement starts with a direct conversation, not a listings dump: are you buying for yield, for a Golden Visa pathway, for personal use, or as a long-term legacy asset? The right property -- and the right emirate -- depends entirely on the honest answer, so MAI starts there before recommending anything.
Because MAI is independent, the shortlist can genuinely span any developer or emirate that fits -- not whichever project happens to be paying the highest commission that month. Off-plan and ready (resale) options are both considered on their merits for your specific goal.
For ready properties, in-person or video viewings are arranged directly. For off-plan, MAI reviews the developer's track record, payment plan structure, and realistic completion timeline -- not just the brochure. Every price discussed reflects actual current listings, not a marketing estimate.
Once you choose a property, MAI handles the reservation form, initial deposit process (traditional payment or cryptocurrency), and the sales and purchase agreement, coordinating directly with the developer or seller's agent so nothing falls on you to chase.
The final transfer is registered directly with DLD (or the relevant authority in other emirates), with the 4% transfer fee settled at this stage. For ready properties this typically completes within 30-60 days of an accepted offer; off-plan reservations can often be secured within days.
MAI's relationship does not end at title transfer. Whether you need a property manager for a rental unit, guidance on Golden Visa application after a qualifying purchase, or simply a trusted contact for the next acquisition, the same independent, client-first relationship continues.
Foreign nationals can buy freehold property across Dubai and expanding zones in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, with no UAE residency required, no annual property tax, and a clear path to a 10-year Golden Visa above AED 2 million. The questions below cover the details buyers ask most often.
Last updated: September 2026
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Business Bay, with full ownership rights registered directly with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This freehold structure means outright title in the buyer's name, not a leasehold or a local-partner arrangement, and it applies equally to residents and non-residents alike -- no UAE residency is required to purchase.
A property investment of AED 2 million or more qualifies a buyer for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, covering the investor and their immediate family. The property can be mortgaged in part, provided the paid value meets the threshold. Confirm current rules with DLD before purchasing, as requirements can be updated. The visa is renewable indefinitely as long as the qualifying property is retained, and does not require a local sponsor or employer.
No. The UAE has no annual property tax and no capital gains tax on property sales. Buyers pay a one-time 4% DLD transfer fee at the point of purchase, plus standard registration and agency fees -- there are no recurring taxes on ownership itself. The only ongoing cost is a building or community service charge, which covers maintenance and shared facilities rather than being a government tax.
Yes, a growing number of developers and brokerages, including MAI Real Estate, accept Bitcoin, USDT, and other major cryptocurrencies for property purchases, with the transaction value converted and registered in AED with the Dubai Land Department. The conversion typically happens at the point of transaction through a regulated exchange partner, so the final DLD registration reflects a standard AED sale price like any other purchase.
Freehold ownership for foreign nationals is available in designated zones across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman, each with its own registration authority. Dubai has the largest and most established freehold market; Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have expanded foreign ownership zones significantly in recent years. Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah have more limited foreign-ownership zones, so checking a specific development's freehold status before committing is essential.
An off-plan purchase from a developer can often be reserved within days, with the full sales and purchase agreement finalized shortly after. A resale (secondary market) property typically takes 30-60 days from offer to DLD title deed transfer, depending on financing and due diligence. Cash purchases tend to close faster than mortgaged ones, since bank valuation and approval add their own timeline on top of the standard transfer process.
Yes. Most major UAE banks offer mortgages to non-resident foreign buyers, typically financing 50-60% of the property value (compared to up to 80% for UAE residents), with the remainder paid as a down payment. Rates and terms vary by bank and buyer profile, so comparing at least two or three lenders before committing is worth the time.
Off-plan property is typically cheaper at launch, offers flexible payment plans stretched over the construction period, and carries developer-backed completion guarantees -- but comes with construction and delivery-timeline risk. Ready property costs more upfront but can be rented or occupied immediately, with no delivery uncertainty. Buyers prioritizing capital growth often lean off-plan; buyers prioritizing immediate income or occupancy usually lean ready.
Beyond the one-time 4% DLD transfer fee at purchase, owners pay an annual service charge to the building or community management (covering maintenance, security, and shared facilities), which varies by development and is disclosed before purchase. There is no annual property tax. Renting the property out may also involve a small Ejari registration fee.
Gross rental yields in Dubai have historically run higher than most major global cities -- commonly in the 5-8% range depending on location, property type, and whether it is let long-term or short-term. Yields vary significantly by building and area, so a specific projection should always be checked against comparable, currently listed units rather than a market-wide average.
"These indicators serve as tangible evidence of the resilience of Dubai's real estate market, its ability to adapt to global changes, and its success in attracting high-quality investments."
"Foreign investment reached AED 148.35 billion in Q1 2026 alone, a 26% increase year-on-year, reaffirming Dubai's appeal as a safe, stable, and trusted investment destination."
MAI Real Estate operates as an independent brokerage across all seven emirates -- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah -- representing buyers directly rather than acting on behalf of any single developer. That distinction matters: a developer's sales team is incentivized to sell their own inventory; an independent brokerage is free to recommend whichever property, developer, and emirate genuinely fits the client's goals.