By Dr. (CA) Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman & Founder, BNW Developments
For Indian investors, the question is no longer whether Dubai makes sense, but how to enter it well. The emirate has moved beyond being a speculative playground into a structured, rules-driven real estate market where returns, timelines, and exits are clearly defined. That shift is precisely what has drawn a growing pool of Indian capital towards the UAE.
Dr. (CA) Ankur Aggarwal has watched Dubai’s property market change from the inside. As the Chairman and Founder of BNW Developments, now among the UAE’s fastest-growing luxury real estate firms, he has been closely involved in building high-end projects across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, from waterfront homes to large mixed-use developments. His body of work and professional journey reflect a market that rewards planning over impulse and long-term value over short-term noise.
He says Dubai’s fundamentals explain the momentum. Rental yields of 6-8 per cent, zero capital gains tax, and a transparent land registry have turned the city into a yield-focused alternative to India’s largely end-use driven property market. Indians now account for nearly a quarter of Dubai’s property buyers, many of them NRIs and first-time overseas investors looking for predictable income in a stable currency.
The entry process is refreshingly clear. Foreign buyers can own freehold property outright in designated zones, with a 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, standard agent commissions, and transparent mortgage or developer-led payment plans ensuring no hidden surprises. An investment of AED 750,000 (₹1.85 crore) qualifies buyers for a renewable residence visa, while AED 2 million (₹4.98 crore) unlocks eligibility for the Golden Visa3.
What’s new, and quietly transformative, is how ownership itself is evolving. Dubai has begun tokenising real estate, breaking properties into digital fractions that can be bought for as little as AED 2,000 by investors with a valid Emirates ID. It’s a sharp contrast to India’s REITs, which offer exposure to office parks and malls through listed trusts. One is tech-led and property-specific; the other is institutional and yield-driven. Both lower the barrier to entry, but in very different ways.
Dr. (CA) Aggarwal’s advice to Indian investors is grounded, not flashy: be clear about your goal, respect the rules on both sides of the border, and choose assets for income, not emotion. In that clarity lies Dubai’s real promise, not spectacle, but certainty.
