Guide · Last updated 26 Oct 2026 · By Mahmoud Montaser, RERA BRN 78343 (Metropolitan Premium Properties)

How buying off-plan in Dubai works: payment plans, DLD fee, Oqood, escrow

Short answer: You sign a sale and purchase agreement with the developer, usually pay a 10–20% down payment and then instalments during construction, with the balance at handover. The developer registers the sale in the Dubai Land Department’s Oqood provisional register within 90 days, and the DLD fee is 4% of the sale value (2% seller, 2% purchaser, plus AED 20 in small fees). Your payments go into a project escrow account regulated under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007.

Step by step

Shortlist and reserve a unit. Ask MonTaser checks price, timing, developer and payment plan first.
Sign the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with the developer.
The developer registers the sale on the DLD Oqood portal; you receive a provisional registration e-certificate by email.
Pay instalments per the payment plan into the project’s escrow account.
At handover, pay the balance and the unit is registered in your name.

Payment plans

Most off-plan projects ask for a down payment of around 10 to 20 percent, then instalments during construction, with the balance due at handover. Some developers offer post-handover plans. Dubai Land Department fees are paid on top.

DLD fee and Oqood

Oqood is the DLD portal where developers register off-plan sales in the provisional (interim) register. According to the DLD service page:

Fee: 2% of the sale value from the seller and 2% from the purchaser, plus AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee.
The SPA must be registered in the provisional register within 90 days of signing.
Output: a provisional registration e-certificate emailed to the purchaser.
Documents for individuals: the SPA, a valid UAE ID, or a passport for non-residents.

In practice, who pays which share can be set in the developer’s offer — confirm it in your SPA.

Escrow: how your money is protected

Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, a developer who wants to sell units off-plan must open an escrow account for the project with an approved account trustee (a bank licensed by the UAE Central Bank). To register a project for off-plan sale, DLD requires, among other things, the land title deed, final building permits and a 30% guarantee (30% of construction done, a bank guarantee, or a cash deposit). The law also requires 5% of the escrow account to be retained after completion and released one year after the units are registered to buyers.

FAQ

How much is the DLD fee on off-plan property in Dubai?

According to the Dubai Land Department, registering an off-plan sale in Oqood costs 2% of the sale value from the seller and 2% from the purchaser (4% total), plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees.

What is Oqood?

Oqood is the Dubai Land Department portal where developers register off-plan sales in the provisional register. The contract must be registered within 90 days of signing, and the buyer receives a provisional registration e-certificate.

What payment plans are typical for off-plan in Dubai?

Most off-plan projects ask for a down payment of around 10 to 20 percent, then instalments during construction, with the balance due at handover. Some developers offer post-handover plans.

Is my money safe when buying off-plan in Dubai?

Buyer payments for off-plan units go into a project escrow account regulated by Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 and managed by an approved bank. Developers must also meet DLD registration conditions such as a 30% guarantee before selling off-plan.

Can I buy off-plan in Dubai from abroad?

Yes. Non-residents can provide a passport for Oqood registration, and Ask MonTaser handles the shortlist, the paperwork with the developer and the payment steps remotely.

Talk to Mahmoud

See the current shortlist on Best Deals, or email Sales@askmontaser.ae / WhatsApp +971 54 200 0142.

Sources

Prices and availability change; always confirm current details directly. Nothing here is a guarantee of returns or of any visa decision.