Dubai lets foreign buyers, including citizens of mainland China and residents of Hong Kong, own property outright in designated freehold areas. You don't need to live in the UAE, and a non-resident can register a purchase with a passport. The part that needs the most care for mainland buyers isn't Dubai's process. It's moving money out of China within the rules.
This guide walks through the process step by step, using official sources: the Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai's legislation portal, the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). It is general information only. For fund transfers, tax and legal questions, speak to a licensed adviser in mainland China or Hong Kong, and a UAE lawyer, before you commit.
Exchange rates used in this guide: AED 1 = CNY 1.816 (CNY 1 = AED 0.551), the Wise mid-market rate on 25 October 2026, cross-checked against the European Central Bank reference rates of 23 October 2026 (USD 1 = CNY 6.67). USD figures use the UAE dirham's fixed peg of USD 1 = AED 3.6725. CNY and USD figures are rounded and for illustration only.
Credit: Norlando Pobre, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The short answer
| Can Chinese and Hong Kong buyers own Dubai property? | Yes. Non-UAE nationals can hold freehold ownership, without time limit, in areas designated by the Ruler of Dubai (Law No. 7 of 2006) |
|---|---|
| Do I need UAE residency to buy? | No. DLD accepts a valid passport for non-resident foreigners when registering a sale |
| Main government fee | DLD registration fee of 4% of the price. DLD lists it as 2% buyer and 2% seller; the sale contract decides who actually pays |
| Off-plan protection | Buyer payments go into a DLD-regulated project escrow account (Law No. 8 of 2007), and the contract is registered on DLD's interim register (Oqood) |
| Golden Visa | Property worth at least AED 2,000,000 (about CNY 3.63 million / USD 544,600) can qualify for the 10-year Golden Residency |
| Mainland China funds | SAFE rules say the USD 50,000 annual personal FX quota must not be used to buy property abroad. Take licensed advice on legal routes |
| Hong Kong funds | Hong Kong applies no foreign exchange controls (Basic Law, Article 112) |
Step 1: Understand where foreigners can buy
Under Article 3 of Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 on real property registration, ownership in Dubai is generally limited to UAE and GCC nationals, but non-UAE nationals may be granted freehold ownership without time restrictions, or usufruct and leasehold rights of up to 99 years, in areas the Ruler designates.
Regulation No. 3 of 2006 lists the original designated areas, including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Jebel Ali, Al Jaddaf and The World Islands, and later resolutions have added more land. In practice, most new launches marketed to international buyers are in freehold areas, but always ask the developer or your agent to confirm the plot is freehold before you pay anything.
Step 2: Plan how you will fund the purchase
This is the step that differs most between mainland China and Hong Kong.
Buyers in mainland China
SAFE gives each individual an annual facilitation quota equal to USD 50,000 (about AED 183,600 / CNY 333,500) for buying foreign currency. The quota runs from 1 January to 31 December and unused amounts don't roll over.
SAFE's own guidance is clear that personal foreign currency purchases must not be used for buying property abroad, securities investment, or life and investment-linked insurance, because these are capital account items that are not yet open. The same guidance lists other prohibited practices, including lending your quota to others or using other people's quotas to split a purchase. SAFE has said violations can lead to penalties and restrictions on future foreign exchange purchases.
What this means in practice: a Dubai purchase should not be funded by stacking personal FX quotas. How you can legally fund a purchase depends on your circumstances, for example where your money is already held and whether it was legally earned or moved offshore. Talk to a licensed cross-border adviser and your bank before you sign anything. Luxwell doesn't advise on fund transfers.
Buyers in Hong Kong
Article 112 of Hong Kong's Basic Law states that no foreign exchange control policies shall be applied in Hong Kong and that the Hong Kong dollar is freely convertible. The Hong Kong dollar is also linked to the US dollar under the HKMA's Linked Exchange Rate System, within a band of HKD 7.75 to 7.85 per USD, and the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar too. Your bank will still carry out its own checks on large transfers, so keep source-of-funds documents ready.
Source of funds checks in Dubai
Whichever route you use, expect the developer, agent, trustee office or bank in Dubai to ask where the money came from, as part of the UAE's anti-money laundering rules. Bank statements, sale contracts and tax records help.
Step 3: Choose between off-plan and ready property
| Off-plan (bought from the developer before completion) | Ready or resale | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | In stages under the developer's payment plan, into the project escrow account | Usually in full at transfer, or with a mortgage |
| Registration | Sale contract registered on DLD's interim register (Oqood) within 90 days of signing | Title deed issued at the DLD trustee office on transfer day |
| Rental income | None until handover | Can be let straight away |
| Main risk | Construction delays; buying from plans and renders | Condition of the unit; existing tenancy terms |
For examples of current launches and payment plans, see our round-up of Dubai off-plan launches in October 2026 and our explainer on a Sobha 20/80 payment plan.
Step 4: Check the project, the developer and the agent
Before paying a reservation deposit:
- Escrow: under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, off-plan developers must open an escrow account for each project, and buyers' payments go into it. Check that the payment details in your contract are the project's escrow account, not a personal or unrelated company account.
- Registration: DLD requires an off-plan sale contract to be registered on the interim register within 90 days of signing, and the buyer receives a provisional registration e-certificate by email. Ask when yours will be issued.
- Broker: use a DLD-registered real estate brokerage and ask for the agent's DLD broker card.
- Read the contract: check the handover date, what happens if it's late, the payment schedule, service charges and the resale or assignment terms. A UAE lawyer can review this for you.
Step 5: Sign and pay, in person or through a representative
You can buy without being in Dubai, but the paperwork needs planning:
- Off-plan: DLD lists a valid passport as the document a non-resident buyer needs for initial sale registration. Ask the developer whether you can reserve and sign remotely.
- Ready property: the transfer takes place at a DLD-approved trustee office. If you can't attend, you can appoint someone under a power of attorney. A power of attorney signed in mainland China or Hong Kong normally has to be notarised and then legalised before Dubai authorities will accept it, and the requirements change from time to time, so ask a UAE lawyer to draft it and confirm the exact steps first.
Visiting is straightforward. Under a reciprocal arrangement, holders of ordinary Chinese passports can enter the UAE without a visa for short visits, according to the UAE Embassy in Beijing, and Dubai Airports lists Hong Kong among the passports eligible for a free visa on arrival. Check the current rules with the UAE embassy or your airline before you travel.
Step 6: Budget for the fees
DLD's published fees for registering a sale of a ready property include:
| Fee | AED | CNY (approx.) | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the price (listed as 2% buyer, 2% seller) | 4% | 4% |
| Trustee office (service partner) fee, sale value AED 500,000 (CNY 908,100 / USD 136,100) or more | 4,000 + VAT | 7,260 + VAT | 1,090 + VAT |
| Title deed issuance | 250 | 454 | 68 |
| Apartment or villa map | 250 | 454 | 68 |
| Knowledge fee and innovation fee | 10 each | 18 each | 3 each |
Worked example: a ready apartment at AED 1,500,000
This assumes your contract makes you, the buyer, pay the full 4% DLD fee. If the fee is split with the seller, your share is lower.
| Item | AED | CNY (approx.) | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | 1,500,000 | 2,724,200 | 408,400 |
| DLD fee at 4% | 60,000 | 109,000 | 16,340 |
| Trustee fee incl. 5% VAT | 4,200 | 7,630 | 1,140 |
| Title deed, map, knowledge and innovation fees | 520 | 940 | 140 |
| Government and trustee costs | 64,720 | 117,500 | 17,620 |
Not included: agency commission, developer NOC fees on resales, mortgage registration and bank fees if you borrow, and annual service charges. Ask for all of these in writing before you agree a price. Our guide to Dubai property taxes and fees covers the wider costs.
Credit: Tim Reckmann, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Step 7: Register, receive your title and think about residency
On a ready purchase, DLD issues an electronic title deed in your name on completion. On off-plan, you receive the provisional registration certificate first and the title deed after handover.
Owning property can also open a route to UAE residency:
- 10-year Golden Residency: ICP says real estate investors qualify with one or more properties worth a total of at least AED 2,000,000 (about CNY 3.63 million / USD 544,600), fully owned and registered in their name. A mortgage from an approved local bank is allowed. Off-plan units bought from an approved local developer can also count. Investors and their families need valid health insurance.
- Applying in Dubai: DLD's Golden Visa service says the applicant must be inside the UAE, and spouses, children and parents can be sponsored.
- Two-year property investor visa: read our update on Dubai removing the AED 750,000 minimum for the investor visa.
Step 8: Letting the property and tax
The UAE doesn't charge personal income tax on rent the way many countries do. Under UAE Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023, real estate investment income earned by an individual who isn't required to hold a licence for it is not treated as business income for UAE Corporate Tax. Letting a property as a licensed holiday home can be treated differently.
Your home country may still tax that income. If you are tax resident in mainland China or Hong Kong, ask a licensed tax adviser how Dubai rental income and any future gain would be treated, and keep records of rent, costs and your purchase price.
Practical tips for Chinese and Hong Kong buyers
- Sort out funding first. Don't pay a reservation deposit until you know how the full amount will legally reach Dubai.
- Pay only into escrow or official accounts. Never pay a deposit into a personal account.
- Think in three currencies. Prices are in dirhams, which are pegged to the US dollar, so the yuan or Hong Kong dollar exchange rate affects your real cost and any future return.
- Get documents translated. Contracts are usually in English and Arabic. Use a professional translator if you need a Chinese version for your own records.
- Check the developer's track record with DLD handover records and recent sales prices, not just the brochure.
How Luxwell helps Chinese and Hong Kong buyers
Luxwell Real Estate is a boutique luxury real estate brokerage based in Churchill Executive Tower, Business Bay. We handle off-plan and ready sales and help clients buy, sell and lease across Dubai, and Luxwell ranks in Bayut's top 5 agencies most months.
Our team, led by Chief Sales Officer Nikhil Wadhwa and Chief Operating Officer Divya Wadhwa, can shortlist projects, compare recent Dubai Land Department prices, check payment plans and escrow details, and arrange video viewings if you can't travel. We don't give tax, legal or fund-transfer advice, but we work alongside your advisers.
- Call: +971 50 856 2749
- WhatsApp: +971 50 856 2749
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
- Website: www.luxwellrealestate.com
This article is general information only and is not legal, tax, financial or foreign exchange advice. Rules change and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak to a licensed adviser in mainland China or Hong Kong, and a UAE lawyer, before making decisions. Information checked 25 October 2026.
中文摘要（简体）
中国内地及香港买家购买迪拜房产要点
- 外国人可以购买： 根据迪拜2006年第7号法律，非阿联酋公民可在政府指定的永久产权区域内拥有不限年期的永久产权。非居民凭有效护照即可在迪拜土地局（DLD）办理登记，无需阿联酋居留身份。
- 资金出境须合规： 根据国家外汇管理局的规定，境内个人每年等值5万美元的购汇便利化额度不得用于境外买房、证券投资等尚未开放的资本项目，也不得借用他人额度分拆购汇。如何合法安排购房资金，请务必咨询持牌专业顾问和您的银行。香港不实行外汇管制。
- 主要费用： 迪拜土地局登记费为房价的4%（官方列为买卖双方各2%，实际由谁承担以买卖合同为准）。房价50万迪拉姆及以上的交易，过户服务中心收费为4,000迪拉姆另加增值税。
- 期房保障： 根据迪拜2007年第8号法律，期房购房款须存入受监管的项目托管账户，买卖合同须在签署后90天内在土地局临时登记系统（Oqood）登记。
- 黄金签证： 在阿联酋拥有总价值不低于200万迪拉姆（约363万元人民币，约54.5万美元）的房产，可申请10年黄金居留签证；符合条件的期房也可计入。
- 汇率说明： 本文按1迪拉姆约合1.816元人民币（Wise中间价，2026年10月25日）及1美元兑3.6725迪拉姆的固定汇率换算，仅供参考。
本文仅为一般性信息，不构成法律、税务或外汇建议。如需了解项目详情，欢迎通过电话或WhatsApp（+971 50 856 2749）联系Luxwell Real Estate。
Sources
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 7 of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration and Regulation No. 3 of 2006 on areas for ownership by non-UAE nationals
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 8 of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development and Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 on DLD fees
- Dubai Land Department: Property sale registration, Request to register the initial sale and Golden Visa application for investors
- ICP: UAE Golden Residency guide
- State Administration of Foreign Exchange: Xiamen branch guide to individual foreign exchange business and Circular on further improving the administration of individual foreign exchange
- Hong Kong: Basic Law, Chapter V and HKMA, How the Linked Exchange Rate System works
- UAE Embassy in Beijing: Visas; Dubai Airports: Passport control and visas
- UAE Federal Tax Authority: Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023
- Exchange rates: Wise mid-market rate (25 October 2026), European Central Bank euro reference rates (23 October 2026), Central Bank of the UAE dirham peg
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chinese citizens buy property in Dubai?
- Yes. Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006, non-UAE nationals, including Chinese citizens and Hong Kong residents, can own freehold property without time limit in areas designated by the Ruler of Dubai. You don't need UAE residency, and the Dubai Land Department accepts a valid passport for non-resident buyers.
Can I use my USD 50,000 annual foreign exchange quota to buy a Dubai property?
- No. China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange says personal foreign currency purchases under the annual USD 50,000 facilitation quota must not be used to buy property abroad, and lending or borrowing quotas to split purchases is prohibited. Speak to a licensed cross-border adviser and your bank about legal ways to fund a purchase.
Are there currency controls for Hong Kong buyers?
- Hong Kong's Basic Law (Article 112) states that no foreign exchange control policies apply in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong dollar is freely convertible. Banks still carry out their own checks, so keep source-of-funds documents ready.
What fees do I pay when buying property in Dubai?
- The main government fee is the Dubai Land Department registration fee of 4% of the price, listed as 2% for the buyer and 2% for the seller, with the contract deciding who actually pays. On a ready property there is also a trustee office fee of AED 4,000 plus VAT for sales of AED 500,000 or more (about CNY 7,260 / USD 1,090 plus VAT at AED 1 = CNY 1.816 and USD 1 = AED 3.6725), plus small title deed and map fees.
How are off-plan buyers protected in Dubai?
- Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, buyers' payments for off-plan units go into a regulated project escrow account. The sale contract must be registered on the Dubai Land Department's interim register (Oqood) within 90 days of signing, and the buyer receives a provisional registration certificate.
Does buying Dubai property give me a Golden Visa?
- It can. ICP says real estate investors with one or more UAE properties worth a total of at least AED 2,000,000 (about CNY 3.63 million / USD 544,600) can qualify for the 10-year Golden Residency, including off-plan units bought from an approved local developer. Health insurance is required, and the Dubai Land Department says the applicant must be inside the UAE when applying.
Do I have to travel to Dubai to buy?
- Not necessarily. Ask the developer whether you can reserve and sign an off-plan contract remotely. For a ready property transfer, you can appoint a representative under a power of attorney, which normally has to be notarised and legalised before Dubai authorities accept it. A UAE lawyer can confirm the current steps.
Is Dubai rental income taxed?
- The UAE generally doesn't tax individuals on rent from property they hold as an investment without a licence (UAE Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023), though licensed holiday homes can be treated differently. Your home country may still tax the income, so ask a licensed tax adviser in mainland China or Hong Kong.
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