Guide · From Canada
Investing in Dubai, from Canada.
Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa or Vancouver: more and more Canadian residents, Moroccan-Canadians among them, buy in Dubai without crossing the Atlantic. Here is how it works, from the first call to the handover.
The Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline at duskIn short
A Canadian resident of any nationality can buy freehold in the areas of Dubai open to foreign ownership, with no UAE residence and no local company. Everything can be done remotely; in Canada, the property and its income are reported under federal rules and, in Quebec, provincial rules.
- Freehold ownership in designated areas (Law No. 7 of 2006)
- Payment in Canadian dollars from your bank or credit union
- Off-plan purchases with escrow account and Oqood registration
- Reporting to the CRA, and to Revenu Québec if you live in Quebec
Paying in Canadian dollars
You pay by international wire from your bank or credit union. The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at AED 3.6725 per USD, so the Canadian-dollar amount of each instalment follows the CAD/USD rate on the day. I build that exchange effect into every simulation.
Your bank will ask about the source of funds; keep your statements and supporting documents. Money always goes to an identified account: the project's escrow account off-plan, or the DLD procedure for a ready unit. Details: paying for a Dubai property from abroad.
The time difference, handled
Dubai is 9 hours ahead of Toronto and Montreal in winter, 8 in summer; 12 hours ahead of Vancouver in winter, 11 in summer. We talk early in your morning or late in my day, and every document reaches you electronically.
An off-plan contract is usually signed online; for a ready unit, a representative holding a power of attorney that meets DLD requirements can sign for you. See buying in Dubai remotely.
Off-plan or ready
Off-plan, payment is spread over construction and goes into the project's escrow account, supervised by RERA; progress can be followed on the official Dubai REST app. See buying off-plan in Dubai. A ready unit can be let straight away: buying a resale property.
The main buying cost is the Dubai Land Department fee: 4% of the price, plus administrative fees. Everything is costed in Dubai buying costs.
On the Canadian side: what to report
The UAE does not levy personal income tax. As a Canadian tax resident you report your worldwide income, rent and capital gains included, taking into account the tax treaty between Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Depending on the value of your foreign property, the T1135 information return of the Canada Revenue Agency may apply.
In Quebec, the provincial return follows its own rules, published by Revenu Québec. A Canadian tax adviser confirms your position before you buy; I send them every document they need. Further reading: Dubai property taxation.
Moroccan-Canadians: Dubai and Morocco
Many Moroccan families in Canada run two projects: Dubai to put savings to work, Morocco for the family. In Morocco, the power of attorney can be drawn up through Morocco's consular network in Canada or before a notary. See Moroccans in Canada and Dubai or Morocco.
The steps, in order
- A call to frame the project: rental income, a base in Dubai, Golden Visa, estate planning
- Checking the wire route from your bank or credit union
- A short list of properties with video viewings and official documents
- Booking, then the contract (SPA) signed online
- Registration at the DLD: Oqood off-plan, title deed for a ready unit
- Follow-up of instalments, handover and letting
Let's talk
I am Moroccan, based in Dubai, and I run Cevitas Real Estate, a RERA-licensed brokerage, with more than AED 200 million placed for private investors. I work in English, French, Arabic and Darija, on Canadian hours. More on the agency: Cevitas Real Estate.
A free 30-minute call is enough to take stock. Book your call.
Your roadmap
Your project, in 60 seconds.
Five questions, and I reply personally with a first reading of your project: where, how, and in what order.
- A personal reply from Ahmed
- A free 30-minute call
- No commitment
Step 1 of 5
Where do you live today?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a Canadian resident buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Whatever your nationality, you can buy freehold in the areas of Dubai open to foreign ownership, with no UAE residence and no local company. The title deed is registered in your name at the Dubai Land Department.
Do I need to travel to Dubai?
No. Viewings are done on video, off-plan contracts are usually signed online and the transfer of a ready unit can be signed by a representative with a power of attorney.
Is Dubai rental income taxed in Canada?
The UAE does not levy personal income tax. As a Canadian tax resident you report worldwide income under CRA rules, and Revenu Québec rules in Quebec, taking into account the Canada-UAE tax treaty. A tax adviser confirms your position.
Do I need to file form T1135?
It may apply depending on the total cost of your foreign property and how it is used. The Canada Revenue Agency publishes the conditions; your tax adviser confirms whether you are concerned.
How do I pay from Canada?
By international wire from your bank or credit union, into the project's escrow account off-plan or following the DLD procedure for a ready unit. The Canadian-dollar amount depends on the exchange rate on the day.
Read next
Contact
Let's talk about your project.
One message is enough. I reply personally, in English, French, Arabic or Darija.