Buying property in Dubai from Nigeria: steps, transfers and fees, from Lagos or Abuja
The full journey of an investor based in Lagos or Abuja buying an off-plan apartment in Dubai: choosing the project, reserving remotely, wiring funds from a Nigerian bank or a domiciliary account, DLD fees, Nigerian tax to check with an adviser, and the Golden Visa, with Hilton Residences as the worked example.
Why Dubai makes sense for an investor in Lagos or Abuja
A business owner in Victoria Island, a banker in Ikoyi or a senior civil servant in Maitama has usually already bought property at home, in Lekki, in Asokoro or in Port Harcourt. What Dubai adds is different. An asset priced in UAE dirhams, which track 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, where every payment goes into an escrow account and construction progress is published. And a reservation possible with 20% of the price.
The second reason is familiarity. Nigerians already fly to Dubai for business, family holidays and medical visits; direct flights connect Lagos and Abuja to the city, and a large Nigerian community lives there. Owning a furnished apartment you can use a few weeks a year and rent the rest of the time is a natural next step.
The third reason is process. Everything is done remotely, in English, with a contract you can read line by line before paying anything.
Five steps, all completed from Nigeria
- Set the total budget. Unit price, 4% DLD fee, developer administrative fees, Oqood registration. Your Orven adviser sends a detailed estimate in UAE dirhams.
- Choose the project. A furnished branded apartment in Dubai Maritime City, a family three-bedroom on Dubai Islands or a studio in the city centre attract different tenants. Hilton Residences by Prestige One targets the first profile.
- Reserve. The reservation form and the sale agreement are signed electronically. A copy of your Nigerian passport is enough; no UAE residency is required.
- Wire the first payment. It leaves your bank in Nigeria, or your account abroad, and lands in the project's escrow account, held at a UAE bank and controlled by the DLD.
- Follow the build to handover. Instalments track construction progress, which you can check on the DLD's Project Status Enquiry service. At handover, the title deed is issued in your name.
Transferring funds from a Nigerian bank
Zenith Bank, GTBank, Access Bank, First Bank, UBA and Stanbic IBTC all process international transfers. Most of our Nigerian clients pay from a domiciliary account held in US dollars, which makes the conversion into dirhams straightforward. Others pay from an account in the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada; the process is identical.
Outbound transfers from Nigeria fall under the foreign exchange regulations in force, as applied by your bank under the Central Bank of Nigeria's rules. Orven does not replace your bank on this point: the bank tells you which forms and supporting documents are required and which framework applies to your situation, whether you pay as an individual or through a company. As a rule, prepare:
- an identity document and proof of address;
- the signed sale agreement with the developer, including the escrow account details;
- proof of the origin of funds (savings, business income, sale of an asset), which the receiving UAE bank also asks for.
Two practical tips. Speak to your relationship manager before you initiate the first transfer, so the file is complete when the payment leaves. And keep every receipt: the UAE bank and the developer may ask for the transfer confirmation to match the payment to your unit.
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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 transfer | 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).
Tax on the Nigerian side
In the UAE, an individual pays no tax on rental income or capital gains. On the Nigerian side, the treatment of income earned abroad depends on your tax residence and on the rules applying to foreign-source income, which have changed in recent years. Have your case checked by a tax adviser in Lagos or Abuja before you reserve, including the question of how rental income received in Dubai is reported at home. Orven supports the transaction, not your tax filing.
A worked example: Hilton Residences in Dubai Maritime City
Prestige One is developing Hilton Residences in Dubai Maritime City, 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 25 minutes from Palm Jumeirah. The project offers one- to three-bedroom residences and penthouses, delivered furnished, with hotel-grade amenities operated under the Hilton brand: an infinity pool, a wellness deck, a cinema lawn, a casual sky lounge and a city-view work area. The published payment plan is 20% at reservation, 40% during construction and 40% at handover. Starting price and handover date are provided on request.
For an investor in Lagos or Abuja, the appeal is practical. The Hilton name is known to the tenants and short-stay guests you want to attract, the apartment comes furnished, and management can be handled on site while you are in Nigeria. Rents will depend on the market at handover; any projected return is an illustration, not a promise. The Hilton Residences 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, family base, 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 Nigeria? No. A valid Nigerian passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers. The DLD issues the title deed in your name.
Can I pay from a domiciliary account? Yes. Many clients pay from a US dollar domiciliary account or from an account held abroad. Your bank confirms the documents required for the transfer.
Can I pay in naira? The transfer leaves your account and arrives in UAE dirhams in the escrow account. Your bank converts the amount under the foreign exchange rules in force and tells you what is possible from a naira account.
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.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable? Reservation payments follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written cancellation terms before making any payment.
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 Nigeria?
No. A valid Nigerian passport is enough to buy freehold in the areas open to foreign buyers. The DLD issues the title deed in your name.
Can I pay from a domiciliary account?
Yes. Many clients pay from a US dollar domiciliary account or from an account held abroad. Your bank confirms the documents required for the transfer.
Can I pay in naira?
The transfer leaves your account and arrives in UAE dirhams in the escrow account. Your bank converts the amount under the foreign exchange rules in force and tells you what is possible from a naira account.
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.
Is the 20% reservation payment refundable?
Reservation payments follow the developer's sale agreement and Dubai's off-plan regulations. Ask for the written cancellation terms before making any payment.
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