Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

The 2002 change created freehold ownership as a category, but it operates as a list of named areas rather than a blanket rule for the emirate — a plot's status has to be checked against that list, not assumed from how central or developed the neighbourhood looks. Two adjoining communities can sit on opposite sides of the freehold boundary, which is why the area designation matters more than the building itself.

Outside those designated areas, a foreign buyer's only route is a 99-year leasehold, which behaves differently from freehold on resale, inheritance and mortgage eligibility even though it can look similar in a listing. Buying inside a freehold area is also what opens the door to a property investor visa application — a leasehold purchase outside those zones does not carry the same visa route.