Investing in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah property

Why these two emirates

Dubai offers depth: an established freehold market, mature rental demand and the widest choice of communities, which makes resale and tenancy comparatively straightforward. Ras Al Khaimah offers entry price and timing — lower price per square foot, a smaller supply pipeline and an emirate investing heavily in leisure and tourism infrastructure. Neither is strictly better; they answer different briefs. A client optimising for liquidity leans Dubai, a client optimising for entry cost and growth runway leans RAK.

Both emirates are represented across the OBG portfolio. You can compare projects side by side on price, handover, unit mix and payment terms, or open live availability to see the actual units on the market today with a payment plan for each one.

Government fees, and when they fall due

The headline government charge is the same in both emirates — Land Department Fees at 4% of the purchase price — but the timing differs, and the timing is what clients feel. In Dubai the 4% is payable at booking, on top of the reservation amount. In Ras Al Khaimah it is deferred to project completion. On a two million dirham unit that is eighty thousand dirhams of difference in day-one cash.

Administration and registration fees are set per project and shown on each unit's detailed offer, so quote from the generated breakdown rather than from memory.

Reading a payment plan properly

A plan is three numbers: what is due now, what is due during construction, and what is due at or after handover. Construction-linked instalments track build milestones; time-linked instalments run on fixed dates regardless of progress. Post-handover components matter most to clients funding instalments from rental income, because they push part of the balance beyond the point the unit starts earning.

Open any unit in availability to expand its computed breakdown, then download the two-page detailed offer with the floor plan attached. Current incentives and launch terms sit in promos and briefings.

Paperwork and process

Reservation, KYC, the sale and purchase agreement, then registration. Nothing in the chain moves faster than the documents, so collect the passport copy and completed forms before quoting a timeline. Blank forms, undertakings and process notes live in downloads. Brokerages working with OBG can register and request project NOCs on the agency page. For questions on UAE regulation specifically, the Ask AI assistant is the faster first stop.

Frequently asked questions

What government fees apply when buying property in Dubai?

In Dubai, Land Department Fees of 4% of the purchase price are payable at the time of booking, along with an administration fee set by the registration trustee. Off-plan purchases are registered on the Oqood system, and the developer issues the sale and purchase agreement once the booking amount and fees clear.

How do Ras Al Khaimah fees differ from Dubai?

The headline rate is the same 4% Land Department Fees, but in Ras Al Khaimah it falls due on project completion rather than at booking. That difference materially changes the cash a buyer needs up front, which is why every payment plan in the availability section is calculated per emirate.

Can foreign nationals own property outright?

Yes. Both Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have designated freehold areas where non-UAE nationals can hold full ownership of the property and the land, in their own name or through a company, with no requirement to be resident in the UAE.

How do off-plan payment plans usually work?

Most plans combine a booking deposit, a series of construction-linked or time-linked instalments, and a balance on handover. Post-handover plans spread part of the balance over the years after you receive keys. Every unit in the availability list generates its own breakdown from the project's actual plan.

What rental returns should an investor expect?

Returns vary by community, unit type and finish level, and no figure is guaranteed. Studios and one-bedroom units generally show higher percentage yields, while larger units tend to favour capital appreciation. Ask the OBG team for the current comparable data for a specific project before advising a client.

Is a property purchase linked to UAE residency?

Property ownership above certain value thresholds can support an investor residency application, but the criteria, thresholds and processing sit with the relevant government authority and change from time to time. Treat any residency outcome as subject to that authority's approval rather than a feature of the purchase.

How long does handover take on an off-plan project?

Typical off-plan timelines run from about eighteen months to four years from launch, depending on tower height and infrastructure. Each project page on this hub lists its stated handover quarter, and construction progress is reflected in the project updates.

What documents does a buyer need to reserve a unit?

A passport copy, contact details and the completed reservation form are the minimum. A UAE residence visa or Emirates ID copy is needed where applicable, and corporate buyers add trade licence and authorised-signatory documents. Current forms are in the downloads section.

Need numbers for a specific client?

Build a shortlist, generate a comparison PDF, or ask the team directly.