Buying property in Dubai from India: steps, transfers and fees
The full journey for an investor based in Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore buying an off-plan apartment in Dubai: choosing the project, reserving remotely, sending funds under RBI transfer rules, DLD fees, tax questions to check with a chartered accountant, and the Golden Visa, with Coastal Haven as the example.
Why Dubai makes sense for an investor in Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore
A business owner in Mumbai, a software professional in Bangalore or a family in Gurugram already knows Dubai as a place to fly to for work or for a long weekend. What tips the decision toward buying is what Dubai adds to a portfolio built in India. An asset priced in UAE dirhams, pegged to the US dollar, in a city where individuals pay no tax on rental income or capital gains. An off-plan market supervised by the Dubai Land Department, with every payment held in an escrow account and construction progress published. And a reservation on Coastal Haven that starts at 20% of the price, with the remaining 80% due at handover.
The second reason is the flight time. Direct services connect Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore to Dubai in under four hours, several times a day, which matters if you plan to see the finished apartment rather than only the plans.
The third reason is the size of the Indian community already established in Dubai, across every profession, which means the rental market you are buying into is not unfamiliar.
Five steps, all completed from India
- Work out the full budget. Unit price, the 4% DLD registration fee, developer administrative fees, Oqood registration for an off-plan sale. Your Orven adviser sends a detailed estimate in UAE dirhams.
- Choose the project. A one-bedroom on Dubai Islands aimed at short-term rental is a different product from a three-bedroom family unit or a penthouse. Coastal Haven by Prestige One covers both, with one- to three-bedroom residences and penthouses.
- Reserve. The reservation form and the sale agreement are signed electronically. A copy of your Indian passport is enough; no UAE residency is required.
- Send the first payment. It leaves India under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme and lands in the project's escrow account at a UAE bank controlled by the DLD.
- Follow construction to handover. The remaining 80% is due at handover under Coastal Haven's published plan. You can track progress through the DLD's Project Status Enquiry service. At handover, the title deed is issued in your name.
Sending funds from India
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank all process outward remittances for property purchases abroad, under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. The scheme sets an annual limit per individual and requires specific forms, including Form A2 and a bank declaration on the purpose of the transfer; the current limit and the exact paperwork change from time to time, so confirm both directly with your bank before you commit to a payment date rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere. Couples and families sometimes combine each member's allowance across separate remittances to fund a single reservation.
In practice, prepare:
- a PAN card, passport and proof of address;
- the signed sale agreement with the developer, including the escrow account details and SWIFT code;
- proof of the source of funds (salary, savings, sale of an asset, inheritance), which your bank needs for the remittance form and which the receiving UAE bank also asks for.
Two practical points. Start the LRS paperwork with your bank before you need to pay; a reservation deadline will not wait for a remittance that has not been processed. And keep every confirmation and reference number: the developer uses them to match your payment to your unit, and your bank may ask for them again at the next instalment.
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Fees to plan for
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the price |
| Oqood registration (off-plan) | fixed fee, confirmed in the contract |
| Developer administrative fees | depends on the project |
| Bank charges on the remittance | depends on your bank |
Orven charges the buyer no commission: our fee comes from the developer. Brokerage is provided through ORVEN REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE L.L.C S.P.C (Economic License No. CN-6800129, ADRA). Our guide to purchase costs goes through each line.
Tax on the Indian side
In the UAE, an individual pays no tax on rental income or capital gains. An Indian tax resident is taxed on global income, including rent received abroad, and a future sale may be subject to Indian capital gains rules with reporting obligations under the Foreign Assets schedule. A double taxation avoidance agreement exists between India and the UAE, and it can reduce or eliminate double taxation on the same income, but how it applies to your rental income and to any repatriation of sale proceeds depends on your residential status and is a question for a chartered accountant, not for a property consultant. Have your case reviewed before you reserve.
A worked example: Coastal Haven on Dubai Islands
Prestige One is developing Coastal Haven on Dubai Islands, 16 minutes from Dubai International Airport, 20 minutes from the Museum of the Future and 25 minutes from Downtown Dubai. The project offers one- to three-bedroom residences and penthouses with an infinity pool, a wellness and spa area, a fitness centre, an outdoor cinema, sports courts and children's play spaces. The published payment plan is 20% at reservation and 80% at handover, with bank financing possible for some non-residents, subject to the lender's approval. Starting price and handover date are provided on request.
For an Indian investor, the appeal is the entry payment: a smaller reservation amount than most Dubai off-plan projects, which makes it easier to fund within a single remittance cycle. The Coastal Haven page shows the current selection.
If your purchase reaches AED 2 million, alone or combined with other properties, you may apply for a Golden Visa, under conditions set by the UAE authorities.
Send your budget and your goal (rental, second home, visa) on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or to sales@orvenproperties.com. An adviser replies with two or three available units and their actual payment schedule.
FAQ
Do I need a UAE visa to buy from India? No. A valid Indian passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers. The DLD issues the title deed in your name.
How much can I remit from India for a Dubai purchase? Outward remittances go through the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, which sets an annual limit per individual and requires forms such as Form A2. Confirm the current limit and paperwork with your bank before setting a payment date.
Is the 20% reservation payment specific to Coastal Haven? Yes, on Coastal Haven the published plan is 20% at reservation and 80% at handover. Other Prestige One projects follow different schedules, confirmed unit by unit.
Will I pay Indian tax on rent from Dubai? Indian tax residents are taxed on global income, including foreign rent, with reporting obligations under the Foreign Assets schedule. A tax treaty exists between India and the UAE; check with a chartered accountant how it applies to your case.
Can a UAE bank finance part of the price? Yes, for some non-residents, subject to the lender's approval and valuation. Your adviser puts you in touch if your profile fits.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UAE visa to buy from India?
No. A valid Indian passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers. The DLD issues the title deed in your name.
How much can I remit from India for a Dubai purchase?
Outward remittances go through the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, which sets an annual limit per individual and requires forms such as Form A2. Confirm the current limit and paperwork with your bank before setting a payment date.
Is the 20% reservation payment specific to Coastal Haven?
Yes, on Coastal Haven the published plan is 20% at reservation and 80% at handover. Other Prestige One projects follow different schedules, confirmed unit by unit.
Will I pay Indian tax on rent from Dubai?
Indian tax residents are taxed on global income, including foreign rent, with reporting obligations under the Foreign Assets schedule. A tax treaty exists between India and the UAE; check with a chartered accountant how it applies to your case.
Can a UAE bank finance part of the price?
Yes, for some non-residents, subject to the lender's approval and valuation. Your adviser puts you in touch if your profile fits.
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