Buying property in Dubai from Mumbai: steps, transfers and fees
How an investor based in Bandra Kurla Complex or Nariman Point reserves an off-plan apartment in Dubai from Mumbai, moves funds under India's remittance rules and tracks construction to handover, with Hilton Residences and Golf Residences as examples.
A Mumbai perspective on Dubai property
Bandra Kurla Complex and Nariman Point have no shortage of investors who already treat Dubai as a natural extension of Mumbai, not a foreign market. The Indian community in Dubai is the largest expatriate group in the UAE, active across trade, finance and services, and flights between the two cities run several times a day. What Dubai adds to a Mumbai portfolio is specific: individuals pay no tax locally on rental income or capital gains, and every off-plan payment sits in an escrow account controlled by the Dubai Land Department rather than with the developer directly.
A reservation at Hilton Residences by Prestige One opens at 20% of the price, with the balance following construction, and the entire process, reservation through Oqood registration, is completed remotely.
Mumbai buyers frequently compare a Dubai reservation against a project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where RERA registration exists but delays remain common even on registered projects. The DLD's Project Status Enquiry service plays a similar verification role in Dubai, and using it actively, rather than relying on a developer's sales brochure, is the single habit that experienced Mumbai investors say makes the biggest difference to how a purchase feels once construction is underway.
Six steps from Mumbai to the title deed
- Set the total budget. Unit price, the 4% DLD fee, developer administrative charges and Oqood registration, priced in dirhams.
- Choose the project. A branded waterfront residence suits a buyer targeting corporate or short-stay tenants; a larger golf-course-facing home suits a family prioritising space.
- Reserve electronically. The reservation form and sale agreement are signed online with a copy of your Indian passport.
- Remit the deposit. The transfer leaves your Mumbai bank, under India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, and lands in the project's escrow account at a UAE bank.
- Register on Oqood. The Dubai Land Department records your unit against the developer's title.
- Follow construction. The DLD's Project Status Enquiry service shows verified progress until the title deed is issued in your name.
Remitting funds from a Mumbai bank
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra all process outward remittances for real estate purchases abroad, within the annual limit and documentation set by the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Your bank confirms the current limit and the forms it needs, typically Form A2 and a purpose declaration, along with your passport, proof of address, the signed sale agreement with the escrow account details, and proof of the source of funds. Where a purchase exceeds the individual remittance limit, some buyers structure the payment jointly with a family member; discuss the options with your bank before committing to a reservation date.
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Fees, tax and the Mumbai time gap
| Cost | Detail |
|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the price |
| Oqood registration | fixed fee, confirmed in the contract |
| Developer administrative fees | depends on the project |
| Remittance charges | depends on your bank |
Orven charges the buyer no commission on a purchase: our fee comes from the developer. Brokerage on every transaction runs through ORVEN REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE L.L.C S.P.C (Economic License No. CN-6800129, ADRA), which handles the paperwork alongside your adviser.
The UAE does not tax an individual owner on rent or resale gains. On the Indian side, rental income from a Dubai property and any future capital gain are generally reportable under India's tax rules for foreign assets, and the treatment depends on your residential status; a chartered accountant familiar with the Liberalised Remittance Scheme and foreign asset reporting should review your case before you transfer funds. Mumbai runs one and a half hours ahead of Dubai, close enough that a mid-morning call fits comfortably inside both working days.
Two projects that fit a Mumbai profile
Hilton Residences in Dubai Maritime City pairs one- to three-bedroom residences and penthouses with an infinity pool, a wellness deck and a city-view work area, 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai and the airport, on a 20% reservation, 40% construction, 40% handover schedule.
Golf Residences in Dubai Sports City offers larger two- and three-bedroom homes around golf-course views, a running track and floating cabanas, on a 20% reservation, 20% construction, 60% handover plan, suited to a family wanting more space and a longer runway to completion.
For the wider Indian picture, see our guide to buying property in Dubai from India.
Send your budget and your objective to WhatsApp +971 52 776 1939 or sales@orvenproperties.com. An adviser replies with units actually available and a confirmed payment schedule.
FAQ
How much can I remit from India for a Dubai property? Outward remittances for property abroad fall under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, with an annual limit per individual set by the RBI. Confirm the current limit and required forms with your bank.
Can I complete the purchase without visiting Dubai? Yes. Reservation, the sale agreement and Oqood registration are all handled remotely with your passport and an electronic signature.
How is a Dubai rental taxed in India? Rental income from a Dubai property and any future capital gain are generally reportable in India, with the treatment depending on your residential status. Confirm the detail with a chartered accountant.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable? Cancellation terms follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written terms before paying anything.
Does the purchase support a UAE residency application? 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.
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
How much can I remit from India for a Dubai property?
Outward remittances for property abroad fall under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, with an annual limit per individual set by the RBI. Confirm the current limit and required forms with your bank.
Can I complete the purchase without visiting Dubai?
Yes. Reservation, the sale agreement and Oqood registration are all handled remotely with your passport and an electronic signature.
How is a Dubai rental taxed in India?
Rental income from a Dubai property and any future capital gain are generally reportable in India, with the treatment depending on your residential status. Confirm the detail with a chartered accountant.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable?
Cancellation terms follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written terms before paying anything.
Does the purchase support a UAE residency application?
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.
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