The short answer
Prepare your identity and income documents, know your deposit and upfront costs, review your existing debts, and decide what matters most in an offer — fixed period, fees or flexibility. Being ready before you apply avoids delays and rejections.
1. Gather your documents
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID (or family book for UAE nationals).
- Salaried: salary certificate and recent payslips. Self-employed: trade licence, company documents and statements.
- Bank statements — lenders commonly ask for 3–6 months, sometimes more.
2. Know your deposit and costs
- Your minimum deposit depends on your category and the property’s value and purpose.
- Budget separately for registration, mortgage registration, lender and valuation fees, any agency fee and insurance.
3. Check your commitments
- Total monthly debt repayments are generally capped at 50% of income.
- Credit-card limits count, even if you clear the balance monthly. Consider reducing unused limits before applying.
4. Decide your priorities
- A longer fixed period gives certainty; a shorter one may cost less upfront.
- Look at the follow-on rate and early-settlement terms, not just the headline rate.
Worked example
Example: on a AED 2,000,000 first home, an expatriate buyer needs at least AED 400,000 as a deposit (20%), plus purchase costs. Use the calculator to see your own numbers.