New purchase
Buy property in Dubai and the UAE with mortgage pre-approval and document checklist.
Buy property →Mortgage Broker Dubai — UAE Rates & Expert Guidance
Compare lenders, check eligibility by applicant type, prepare the right documents and get pre-approved — for purchase, refinance, equity release and buyout across the UAE.
25+
UAE partner banks
~4 days
Typical pre-approval
Free
Advisory for clients
4 journeys
Buy · refinance · equity · buyout
Choose your mortgage journey
Start with the path that matches your goal. Each page has the documents, calculators and FAQs for that journey.
Buyout & Refinance
Switch banks with a buyout, lower your rate and see required documents including liability letter.
Buyout & Refinance →Equity release
Unlock cash from your property's equity — calculator, eligibility and valuation guide.
Equity release →Eligibility Calculator
7-step guided check — goal, profile, property, income, debts and contact — with DBR/LTV and bank-ready next steps.
Eligibility Calculator →Mortgage Calculator
Quick borrow vs cost estimate — DBR, LTV and indicative monthly payments for UAE residents and expats.
Mortgage Calculator →Payment Calculator
Property value, down payment, rate and term → finance amount, monthly installment and total interest.
Payment Calculator →Rent vs Buy
Compare total renting cost with buying — cash at completion, mortgage payments and equity over your time horizon.
Rent vs Buy →Handover payment
Off-plan buyers: finance your final handover payment with a long-term mortgage instead of cash.
Handover payment →Desktop valuation
Bank-ready desktop valuation for mortgage, refinance and equity release applications.
Valuation →Current indicative bank rates
Sample rates from leading UAE lenders. Your personalised rate depends on salary, residency, DBR, LTV and the property. Figures are indicative and change frequently.
Last updated: · Indicative rates for New Purchase (salary transfer segment). Personalised pricing varies. Live rates refresh when the page loads.
| Bank | Product | Rate from | Max LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjah Islamic Bank | 1 year fixed | 3.75% | 80% |
| Arab bank | 2 year fixed | 3.78% | 80% |
| UAB | 2 year fixed | 3.79% | 80% |
| ENBD | 2 year fixed | 3.89% | 80% |
| RAK Bank | 3 year fixed | 3.89% | 80% |
| DIB | 3 year fixed | 3.95% | 80% |
| ADIB | 3 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
| Ajman Bank | 3 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
| CBD | 3 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
| EIB | 3 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
| FAB | 2 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
| Mashreq | 2 year fixed | 3.99% | 80% |
Who can apply?
Eligibility differs by residency and employment. Typical UAE bank guidelines below — final offers are bank-specific and subject to credit assessment.
Expat — salaried
Largest applicant group
- Max LTV typically up to 80% (under AED 5M)
- Min salary often from ~AED 15,000 (bank varies)
- DBR max ~50% of income at stress rate
- Tenor up to 25 years (some banks 30); age cap ~65–70
UAE National
Higher LTV programmes
- Max LTV often up to 85% on qualifying products
- Documents Emirates ID + Family Book commonly required
- DBR / stress same Central Bank framework as other residents
- Islamic & conventional options across major banks
Non-resident
Investor segment
- Max LTV typically ~50–60% (bank and profile dependent)
- Income proof from home country + UAE property file
- Fewer lenders — MOVA routes to banks that still write NR files
- Valuation and Title Deed / SPA readiness matter early
Self-employed
Business owners
- Min income often higher (commonly AED 25,000+ equivalent)
- Trade license usually 2–3 years track record preferred
- Financials audited accounts, VAT, 12 months statements
- Longer pack — 12+ documents vs ~6 for salaried
Figures are typical market guidelines, not a guarantee. Banks set their own minimums, LTV caps and stress rates (commonly around 6.8% for DBR testing).
How it works
From quick qualify to DLD transfer — one advisor coordinates banks, documents and valuation.
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1
Quick qualify
Salary, employer, tenure and existing debts — usually about 5 minutes.
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2
Documents upload
Salaried packs are leaner; self-employed needs a fuller financial file.
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3
Bank submission
We can submit to multiple lenders in parallel where it helps your odds.
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4
Pre-approval
Formal bank pre-approval often follows in about 3–5 business days with a complete file.
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5
Property valuation
The bank orders its own valuation; MOVA desktop valuation supports refinance and equity paths.
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6
Final offer letter
Review terms, fees and conditions — then sign the FOL.
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7
Transfer
DLD transfer and bank disbursement are coordinated for the same closing window.
Required documents
Select your applicant type. Checklists are typical — your advisor confirms the exact bank list for your file.
Why use MOVA?
We compare lenders across the UAE, prepare bank-ready files and connect valuation to your application — without charging clients for advisory.
- One advisor from first call through to disbursement
- Multi-bank submission instead of a single-branch guess
- Document checklists tailored to salaried, national, self-employed and refinance
- Desktop valuation path for refinance and equity release; full RICS-style reports via DXB Inspector
What advisors see in practice
Field notes that rarely appear on competitor sites — general patterns from UAE mortgage files (not a ranking of banks).
Salary transfer is often preferred but not always mandatory — some banks price better with transfer; others will still underwrite without it.
Liability letters usually come from your current bank’s liability / buyout desk; turnaround is commonly a few business days once requested correctly.
Most common declines we see: DBR above limit at stress rate, thin or incomplete bank statements, and self-employed files with short trading history.
Off-plan needs a lender comfortable with the developer and remaining payment plan — early bank shortlist matters more than chasing the lowest advertised rate.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people search before applying for a Dubai or UAE mortgage.
Can expats get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. Salaried expats with UAE residence are the largest applicant group. Typical LTV can reach around 80% on properties under AED 5 million, subject to DBR, credit history and the bank’s policy.
What is the minimum salary for a mortgage in UAE?
Many banks start around AED 15,000 monthly for salaried residents; self-employed applicants often need a higher equivalent income (commonly AED 25,000+). Exact floors vary by bank and product.
How long does mortgage approval take in Dubai?
Indicative pre-approval can be very fast once income details are known. Formal bank pre-approval often takes about 3–5 business days with a complete document pack; full completion to transfer typically takes several weeks.
What is DBR and how is it calculated?
Debt Burden Ratio is the share of your income that goes to monthly debt repayments. UAE banks generally cap DBR near 50%. For testing, instalments are often recalculated at a stress rate (commonly around 6.8%), not only at the advertised rate.
Can I get a mortgage for off-plan property?
Yes, subject to the developer, remaining payment plan and bank appetite. Early-stage off-plan may require larger cash equity. Oqood/SPA documents apply until Title Deed is issued.
What is a liability letter?
An official letter from your current bank stating the outstanding amount needed to settle the loan. It is required for refinance and mortgage buyout transfers.
Can I have two mortgages in UAE?
Often yes, if combined DBR and LTV still fit the bank’s limits and income supports both facilities. Second-home and investment rules can differ from primary residence products.
What happens after pre-approval?
You select or confirm the property, the bank arranges valuation, then issues a Final Offer Letter. After signing, transfer is booked with DLD and the bank for disbursement.
What is a stress rate?
A higher hypothetical interest rate banks use when assessing affordability, so your DBR still works if rates rise. It is separate from the rate you may actually pay on day one.
Salary transfer — is it mandatory?
Not always. Many banks prefer salary transfer and may price better with it, but some will underwrite without transfer depending on employer, income stability and overall risk.
Can self-employed get a mortgage in Dubai?
Yes. Expect a fuller pack: trade licence history, audited financials, VAT returns, MOA/share documents and longer bank statements. Trading history of two to three years is commonly preferred.
What is equity release in UAE?
Borrowing against the difference between your property’s bank valuation and your outstanding mortgage (or against unencumbered equity). LTV and DBR still apply; valuation and Title Deed are central documents.