Eligibility
Can expats get a mortgage in the UAE?
Yes, expats living and working in the UAE can get a mortgage from most UAE banks. Eligibility generally requires a valid UAE residence visa, a minimum salary (typically around AED 15,000/month), and a minimum service period with your current employer. Expat resident buyers can typically borrow up to 80% of the property value.
Core eligibility requirements for expats
UAE banks lend to expat residents routinely — it's one of the most common mortgage categories in the market, and most of the 18+ banks Lenddoo works with have dedicated expat mortgage products. To qualify you generally need:
- A valid UAE residence visa
- A minimum monthly salary, typically around AED 15,000 (lower with some lenders)
- At least 6 months to 1 year with your current employer, depending on the bank
- A clean AECB credit report
- Age at loan maturity of typically 65 for salaried applicants
How much can expats borrow?
Loan-to-value (LTV) limits depend on property price and whether it's your first home:
| Property type | Typical max LTV |
|---|---|
| First home under AED 5M | 80% |
| First home above AED 5M | 70% |
| Second or investment property | 60% |
| Off-plan property | 50% |
Salaried vs. self-employed expats
The process above assumes salaried employment. Self-employed expats with a UAE trade licence can also qualify, but banks generally ask for 1-2 years of audited financials and business bank statements instead of a salary certificate — see our self-employed mortgage guide for the full picture. Either way, the debt burden ratio cap of typically 50% of income applies equally, and your existing credit card and loan instalments are factored in.
Expats living outside the UAE
If you're an expat who doesn't live in the UAE, you fall under non-resident mortgage rules instead, which generally carry lower LTVs of 50-60% and different documentation requirements, since the bank can't verify local employment or a UAE salary account.
Timeline and validity
- Pre-approval typically takes 3-5 working days once your file is complete
- Pre-approval is generally valid for 60-90 days, giving you time to shortlist a property
- Rates and eligibility criteria vary meaningfully between banks, so comparing offers before committing is worthwhile
Getting started
Since rates and eligibility criteria vary meaningfully between the 18+ banks in the UAE, it's worth comparing offers before you commit to one lender. Lenddoo does this for you at no cost — see how it works or check what documents you'll need before you start.
Run the numbers on your own case
Free Lenddoo tools and guides related to this article.
Last reviewed 15 June 2026
