Mashreq has signed a partnership with Expo City Dubai to offer off-plan home financing to eligible buyers of homes in selected Expo City projects that are still under construction. The deal was announced on 8 October 2026, just two days after Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) signed a similar agreement with Expo City. Buyers in the Expo area now have two major UAE banks to approach for finance before handover.
Credit: Mashreq
Mashreq and Expo City: Key Facts
| Parties | Mashreq and Expo City Dubai |
|---|---|
| Announced | 8 October 2026 |
| What it covers | Off-plan home financing for approved properties in selected Expo City Dubai projects under construction |
| Who can apply | Investors and end users who meet Mashreq's eligibility criteria, credit approval and terms |
| Portfolio size | More than 3,000 Expo City units currently in the development phase, according to the announcement |
| Expo City-specific rates | Not disclosed |
What Was Announced
Under the agreement, Mashreq will give customers access to financing for approved properties across Expo City Dubai's growing residential portfolio. The offer is aimed at people buying before construction is complete, whether they plan to live in the home or rent it out. As always with bank finance, every application is subject to Mashreq's own checks and final approval.
Mashreq's Head of Gold & Distribution, Aladdin Al Deesi, linked the deal to rising demand for home finance in Dubai. He also highlighted the bank's instant digital pre-approval for home finance, which Mashreq describes as the first of its kind in the UAE. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo City Dubai, said wider access to home ownership is central to the city's plans for its residential communities.
The announcement didn't name the specific projects that qualify, and it didn't publish interest rates or fees for Expo City buyers.
What It Means for Expo City Buyers
Off-plan buyers in Dubai usually pay the developer in instalments during construction. Bank finance has traditionally only been available close to or after handover. Off-plan mortgages like this one let qualifying buyers bring a bank in earlier.
Mashreq hasn't published separate terms for Expo City. Its general off-plan home loan programme, set out on mashreq.com, works like this:
- Up to 50% financing of the property value on selected off-plan properties
- The project must have reached at least 35% construction completion under DLD/RERA-approved milestones
- The buyer must already have paid at least 50% of the purchase price to the developer
- Repayment over up to 25 years
- Open to eligible UAE residents, subject to income, affordability, credit and documentation checks
- The pre-approval fee is waived under an introductory campaign running until 31 December 2026, and special pricing may be offered case by case
Rates, fees, tenor and any salary-transfer requirement are confirmed only in Mashreq's final offer letter. Treat the points above as a guide, and check them with the bank for the specific Expo City unit you're buying.
A second option: DIB. On 6 October 2026, DIB announced its own off-plan partnership with Expo City. Under that deal, once an approved project reaches 35% completion and the buyer has paid 50%, DIB can finance up to 50% of the property value. Buyers pay only the profit amount during construction. Full instalments start at handover or within 24 months, whichever comes first. DIB's offer is Shariah-compliant, open to UAE nationals, residents and non-residents, and doesn't require a salary transfer. Comparing the two banks before you commit could make a real difference to your monthly costs.
Expo City's Residential Projects
Expo City Dubai is the legacy city of Expo 2020, and its residential plans are growing quickly. According to Expo City and the Government of Dubai Media Office, its homes include:
- Expo Valley: a community of villas and townhouses, including Yasmina Villas
- Expo Valley Views: launched in November 2025, with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in eight low-rise buildings, plus pools, yoga decks, fitness studios and horse trails
- Mangrove, Sky and Sidr Residences: apartment communities in the city
- Al Waha Residences: more than 500 apartments and duplex lofts across 42 buildings, built by remodelling Expo 2020 structures and due for completion in 2027
Expo City says these communities will eventually be home to 35,000 residents. Separately, Emaar and Dubai World Trade Centre are developing Expo Living at Expo City, a masterplan of five communities with 3,555 units, including Terra Heights and Terra Gardens.
Credit: Expo City Dubai via Dubai Media Office
Why the Location Matters
Expo City sits between the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port. It is one of the five urban centres in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and a key part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Residents are served by the Dubai Metro, and Expo City is the UAE's first Green Innovation District.
The Dubai Media Office has also highlighted that Al Maktoum International Airport is set to become the world's largest aviation hub, and that the Dubai Exhibition Centre is expanding. Expo City presents both as long-term drivers of demand in the area.
Credit: Expo City Dubai via Dubai Media Office
Our Take
Two bank partnerships in one week show lenders are confident in Expo City. For buyers, they make it easier to plan finance before handover. The 35% completion and 50% paid thresholds mean these loans suit buyers who are already partway through a payment plan, or who are buying in a project that is well advanced. They won't help with a fresh launch on day one. Before you book, check which projects your bank has approved and how far construction has progressed.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Looking at Expo Valley, Expo Valley Views or another Expo City project and want to know how off-plan finance could work for you? Luxwell Real Estate can help you compare projects, payment plans and financing routes before you commit.
- Call: +971 50 856 2749
- WhatsApp: +971 50 856 2749
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
Sources: Mashreq and Expo City Dubai announcement (8 October 2026, via Zawya and TradeArabia); Mashreq off-plan home loan terms (mashreq.com); DIB news release (6 October 2026); Expo City Dubai and Government of Dubai Media Office project releases. Financing terms are subject to bank approval and may change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mashreq and Expo City Dubai partnership?
- Announced on 8 October 2026, it lets eligible buyers get Mashreq off-plan home financing for approved properties in selected Expo City Dubai projects that are still under construction.
Who can apply for Mashreq off-plan financing at Expo City?
- Both investors and end users can apply, subject to Mashreq's eligibility criteria, credit approval and terms. Mashreq's general off-plan programme is open to eligible UAE residents.
How much can Mashreq finance on an off-plan property?
- Mashreq's general off-plan programme offers up to 50% of the property value, with repayment over up to 25 years. Specific rates and fees for Expo City buyers have not been published.
When can I apply for an off-plan mortgage with Mashreq?
- Under Mashreq's published programme terms, the project must have reached at least 35% construction completion and the buyer must have paid at least 50% of the purchase price to the developer.
Which other bank has a financing deal with Expo City Dubai?
- Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced an off-plan home finance partnership with Expo City Dubai on 6 October 2026. It offers up to 50% financing, profit-only payments during construction, and is open to UAE nationals, residents and non-residents.
How many homes are being built at Expo City Dubai?
- According to the announcement, Expo City Dubai's residential portfolio includes more than 3,000 units currently in the development phase, across communities such as Expo Valley, Expo Valley Views and Al Waha Residences.
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