KYC for non-resident buyers.
The KYC and AML documentation non-resident buyers should expect when acquiring UAE property. Nothing onerous if prepared — every blocker we've seen has been a documentation problem, not an eligibility one.
Identity
Passport biographical page + entry stamp / residency visa (if any). Where the passport is recent, a second photo ID — driver's licence or national ID — closes the loop with the trustee desk faster.
Address
Utility bill or bank statement in your name, dated within the last three months, showing your home address. PDF statements from your online bank count provided they include name + address + statement period header.
Source of funds
This is the part buyers underestimate. For purchases above AED 2M, the DLD-side trustee will request documentary evidence of the funds — bank statements showing accumulation, the sale contract if you've recently sold another asset, employment / dividend statements, or a clean note from your accountant. Compile this before you reach the MoU stage; it's the most common cause of trustee-day delays.
Banking
You don't need a UAE bank account to buy. The 10% MoU deposit can be wire-transferred to the DLD-approved trustee from any clean source; the balance can be wired straight to the trustee on transfer day. Where a UAE account would help is post-purchase — service-charge direct debits, rental income collection, mortgage payments. Bazar can introduce you to the bank that fits your residency status.
If you'll let the property out
Non-resident landlords need a tax representative inside the UAE, which is a one-line appointment your property management partner handles. ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) registers the tenancy contract; service charges are billed by the master community. Bazar's lettings desk handles the entire cycle if you'd rather not manage from abroad.
