How Can First-time Buyers Apply for A Home Loan in Dubai?

FTHB, or the First-Time Home Buyers scheme, is an initiative by the Dubai Government to make homeownership more convenient and accessible. 

An 18-year-old (and above) home buyer can avail of this facility for purchasing residential properties valued up to AED 5 million. Arrays of facilities are designed, with additional perks for UAE citizens. 

Owning your first home and entering the lucrative Dubai property market should be easier now. 

• Get priority access to new property launches and communities by reputed real estate developers in Dubai.
• Preferential prices on your preferred off-plan units reserved for the FTHB scheme applicants.
• More flexible payment schemes for off-plan properties.
• Attractive and advantageous offers on Dubai home loans. 
• Easy payment plans for DLD registration fees via eligible credit cards
• Lower Dubai home loan interest rates and processing fees
• Quicker loan approval

Dubai is gaining global recognition as the finest destination for luxury living and property investment. The property market is soaring higher. 

As per the reports of the Dubai Statistics Center, more than 50,000 new residents arrived in Dubai in Q1 2025 alone. His Highness has set a target to boost Dubai’s population to 7.8 million by 2040 from its current 3.8 million mark. The Dubai Land Department had to step in for support. 

The FTHB Dubai home loan scheme will ensure the newcomers and the existing UAE residents receive added support and facilities for purchasing their first home in the city. 

Existing residents staying in rental properties also look for permanent settlement, and the loan scheme addresses their needs finely.

The First-time Home Buyer Loan can be applied for by anyone who satisfies these eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be 18 years or above. 
• Buying freehold property for the first time in Dubai. 
• UAE residency is mandatory
• The property value must be within AED 5 million. 

Through a RERA real estate agent: Your appointed real estate agent can check and confirm your eligibility using your Emirate ID on the DLD portal (Dubai Land Department official website) for the FTHB Dubai home loan.

Self-service: Dubai Real Estate Self Transaction, or Dubai REST, is a smart digital platform for tackling real estate activities. Download the app. It is readily available on Google Play. Self-register on the app and check if you are eligible for this home loan in Dubai. PS. Dubai REST doesn’t include any in-built loan calculators.

The Confirmation with the QR Code

If you are found to be eligible, you will be sent a confirmation email from the Dubai Land Department. The mail will contain your FTHB QR code. Use the personalized link to do your registration. Your appointed RERA agent can handle it on your behalf. 

You need to use the QR code for accessing the First Time Home Buyer Dubai loan benefits through participating banks and developers. 

The QR code stays valid until a property has been purchased and registered with the Dubai Land Department by you. Do not worry if you do not like a property soon after your registration. There is no time limit. 

Do You Pay an Application Fee for the FTHB Program? 

The loan applicants need to pay no extra fees for participating in the FTHB loan scheme. 

Just remember that you need to pay the standard DLD charges, developer, and bank charges as you normally would for possessing the chosen property in Dubai. 

Who are the Participating Real Estate Developers?

The participating developers mentioned here provide a pool of properties specifically designed for the first-time buyers. 

The property choices consist of both off-plan units and ready properties. Only one condition applies—they all are priced below AED 5 million. 

So, let us know which real estate developers are extending this support:

• Emaar Properties
• Nakheel Properties
• DAMAC Properties
• Ellington Properties
• Azizi Developments
• Binghatti Properties
• Beyond Developments
• Danube Properties
• Dubai Properties
• Majid Al Futtaim
• Meraas Holding 
• Palma Holding

Off-plan properties with flexible payment plans and ready-to-move-in properties, including resale homes, are covered under this Dubai home loan scheme. 

You can opt for studios to 3-bedroom apartments. Also, luxury properties like villas and townhouses up to 3 bedrooms are considerable choices. Just remember that the property must be within AED 5 million. 

There is a list of DLD-backed banks for mortgage or loan facilities. Expect to avail of the exclusive first-time Dubai home loan interest rates from these banks only:

1. Dubai Islamic Bank
2. Commercial Bank of Dubai
3. Emirates NBD
4. Emirates Islamic
5. Mashreq Bank

FTHB is the best home loan in Dubai for first-time residential property buyers. You already know about the eligibility criteria, how you check it to get the QR code upon qualifying for the loan, and the participating developers and banks. 

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Now, we shed light on the process ahead in simpler terms. 

Step 1

Choose your property from the options provided by the participating real estate developers. 

Step 2

After you make a selection, sign a reservation form showing and confirming your interest with the real estate developer. 

Step 3

Choose from the list of DLD-backed banks to secure your home loan or mortgage facilities. You can skip this step if you are not planning to apply for a mortgage. If you do, there are benefits like a faster loan approval process and preferential interest rates.

Step 4

If you choose to mortgage, get ready for the submission of basic documents to secure the loan. The mortgage documents generally include:

• Salary certificate or payment slips
• Bank statements
• Employment letter for approval
• Photocopy of your Emirates ID
• Photocopy of your VISA & Passport
• Tenancy contract or DEWA Bills to prove your residency
• Latest credit card statement (optional)

Step 5

Once the documents are processed and approved, you will be confirmed finally for the FTHB loan. 

The destination needs to be a Dubai freehold zone. The applicants are free to choose their first home in new areas and communities besides established ones under this FTHB loan scheme. A few examples worth mentioning are:

• Dubai Land Residence Complex
• Dubai Silicon Oasis freehold zone
• Marjan
• Liwan
• Al Warsan 
• Jumeirah Village Circle
• Dubailand
• Mirdif
• Downtown Dubai and other Central locations 

If you ever need to calculate your EMI on your own without any help, you can use Dubai home loan calculators. They are freely accessible on the websites of several banks and reputed real estate developers (Emaar’s mortgage calculator UAE). Emirates NBD Bank and HSBC UAE have it. 

Plus, several popular real estate agencies also have mortgage calculators on their site. 

Hopefully, you understand now…

First-time home buyers can easily have a shelter of their own in Dubai. From priority access to properties by major developers to flexible financing and attractive mortgage offers, the advantages are many. 

So, why wait and procrastinate your dream home goal? Should you have any doubts, contact us for further clarification.