Buying property in Dubai from Kathmandu: a Nepal investor's guide
A step-by-step route for an investor based in Kathmandu to reserve and fund an off-plan Dubai apartment remotely, with One by Binghatti and Hilton Residences as examples.
Kathmandu, a growing base of Gulf-connected families
Kathmandu's business community includes a large number of families with ties to the Gulf, built over years of work and trade links with the region. That existing connection, together with a Nepali community already present in Dubai, makes the idea of owning property there feel closer than it might first appear. Individuals pay no local tax on rental income or capital gains in the UAE, and every off-plan payment sits in an escrow account controlled by the Dubai Land Department, released only against verified construction progress rather than a promise.
The purchase sequence from Kathmandu
- Confirm the full budget: unit price, the 4% DLD registration fee, developer administrative charges and Oqood registration, in dirhams.
- Choose the project: a canal-facing residence in a central district, or a smaller entry-level apartment.
- Reserve the unit electronically, with a copy of your Nepali passport attached to the sale agreement.
- Wire the deposit from your Kathmandu bank, or from a foreign currency account held abroad, to the project's escrow account at a UAE bank.
- Register through Oqood, which records the unit against the developer's title in your name.
- Track construction through the DLD's Project Status Enquiry service until handover.
Sending funds from Kathmandu
Nepal's commercial banks process outbound international wires under Nepal Rastra Bank's foreign exchange framework, and each bank applies its own due diligence for a first payment to a new beneficiary outside the country. Orven does not replace your bank on this point; it sets the applicable documents and limits for your account. Prepare your passport, the signed sale agreement with escrow account details, and a short explanation of the source of funds, and discuss the transfer with your relationship manager before reserving.
| Cost | Detail |
|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the price |
| Oqood registration | fixed fee, confirmed in the contract |
| Developer administrative fees | depends on the project |
| Wire charges | depends on your bank |
Orven charges the buyer no commission; the fee comes from the developer. Brokerage runs through ORVEN REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE L.L.C S.P.C (Economic License No. CN-6800129, ADRA). Nepali tax treatment of foreign property and rental income depends on your residency status, a question for a tax adviser rather than your broker.
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Four projects that fit a Kathmandu profile
One by Binghatti in Business Bay offers studios to four-bedroom residences facing Dubai Water Canal, with swimming pools and a tennis court, price and schedule confirmed on request.
Hilton Residences in Dubai Maritime City offers branded, hotel-managed residences and penthouses with an infinity pool and a fitness centre, on a 20% reservation, 40% construction, 40% handover schedule.
Fior 1 at Rashid Yachts & Marina starts from AED 2.2 million for one- to three-bedroom apartments around a marina-view infinity pool.
For an entry point with a published starting price, The Woods Abode at Sobha Sanctuary offers one- and two-bedroom apartments from AED 1.00 million, with handover published for 2029.
For the step-by-step process that applies to any first-time international buyer, see our guide for first-time international investors and our guide to the Golden Visa threshold.
Send your budget and your goal to WhatsApp +971 52 776 1939 or sales@orvenproperties.com, and an adviser replies with units actually available and a confirmed schedule.
What happens once you reserve
Once your deposit clears in the project's escrow account, your adviser becomes your single point of contact: a reminder ahead of each instalment, construction progress checked against the DLD's public registry, and a direct WhatsApp line for anything specific to your file. Nothing about the process requires a trip to Dubai, though a visit can be arranged at any point before handover.
A property worth AED 2 million or more, alone or combined with other units, can support a Golden Visa application under conditions set by the authorities. Bank financing is possible for some non-residents, always subject to the lender's approval and a valuation of the unit.
FAQ
Do I need to visit Dubai before reserving from Kathmandu? No. The reservation, sale agreement and Oqood registration can all be completed remotely with an electronic signature and a copy of your passport.
Can I transfer funds from an account held outside Nepal? Yes, some buyers prefer to transfer from a foreign currency account held abroad; your bank confirms which documentation applies to your specific case.
Do I need to declare this property to Nepali tax authorities? Generally yes, a tax adviser should confirm the specifics based on your residency status.
Can a Kathmandu-based buyer get bank financing for part of the price? Some non-residents qualify, subject to the lender's approval and a valuation of the unit.
Does the purchase support a Golden Visa application? A property worth AED 2 million or more, alone or combined with other units, can support an application under conditions set by the authorities.
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 to visit Dubai before reserving from Kathmandu?
No. The reservation, sale agreement and Oqood registration can all be completed remotely with an electronic signature and a copy of your passport.
Can I transfer funds from an account held outside Nepal?
Yes, some buyers prefer to transfer from a foreign currency account held abroad; your bank confirms which documentation applies to your specific case.
Do I need to declare this property to Nepali tax authorities?
Generally yes, a tax adviser should confirm the specifics based on your residency status.
Can a Kathmandu-based buyer get bank financing for part of the price?
Some non-residents qualify, subject to the lender's approval and a valuation of the unit.
Does the purchase support a Golden Visa application?
A property worth AED 2 million or more, alone or combined with other units, can support an application under conditions set by the authorities.
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