Question 1

How do I get started with Waasiya?

Accepted Answer

Register at waasiya.com/start — it takes about two minutes. Tell us your budget and goals and one of our experts will be in touch within 24 hours with personalised property recommendations.

Question 2

How long until someone contacts me?

Accepted Answer

We aim to respond within 24 hours on business days. If you submitted over a weekend, expect a reply by Monday morning. You will receive a message from our team via email and, where you provided it, WhatsApp.

Question 3

Is Waasiya's service free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our advisory service is completely free. We earn a fee from the developer only when you proceed to purchase, and that fee is already built into the developer's pricing — it does not increase the cost of your property.

Question 4

Can I buy as a non-UAE resident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UAE freehold property is open to international buyers in designated zones — which includes all the developments we work with. You do not need to be a resident, a citizen, or even visit Dubai to purchase. The entire process can be completed remotely.

Question 5

What is the minimum budget to get started?

Accepted Answer

The most accessible properties in our portfolio start from AED 550,000 (approximately GBP 115,000). The deposit is typically 20-40% of the purchase price, paid upfront or in early instalments. The remainder follows a milestone-linked schedule during construction.

Question 6

What does 'shariah-conscious' mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

It means no late-payment interest clauses in your payment plan, no banks or lenders involved in the transaction, and no riba. We negotiate these terms directly with developers before presenting a property to you. Every Sale and Purchase Agreement is reviewed before you sign.

Question 7

How does Waasiya remove riba from payment plans?

Accepted Answer

We negotiate directly with developers to remove late-payment penalty clauses from their standard contracts. In return there is typically a small adjustment in deposit timing. The developer then issues your SPA with those clauses removed — what you agree to pay on day one is all you will ever pay.

Question 8

Are any banks or lenders involved?

Accepted Answer

No. Waasiya works directly with developers using direct payment plans. No banks, mortgage lenders, or interest-based financing are ever part of the process.

Question 9

Which Islamic scholars have reviewed Waasiya's approach?

Accepted Answer

Scholars who have reviewed our contractual approach include Sheikh Abdul Rahman Arnaut, Sheikh Khalid Ismail, Sheikh Basmoul, and Sheikh Shuwayer.

Question 10

What properties does Waasiya exclude on shariah grounds?

Accepted Answer

We do not list properties that include bars, casinos, or mixed-gender spa facilities. All property imagery is screened, and we only recommend payment plans where late-payment interest has been formally removed.

Question 11

What is off-plan property and is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Off-plan means buying before the building is complete. You pay in stages — a deposit now, instalments during construction, and the balance at handover. Dubai's off-plan market is regulated by RERA, which requires developers to hold buyer funds in escrow accounts protected from misuse. We only work with established developers with track records of delivery.

Question 12

What are the steps to buying a property through Waasiya?

Accepted Answer

Five steps: (1) Select a property. (2) We activate the shariah-conscious agreement with the developer. (3) Send a passport copy and address, then pay your deposit by bank transfer. (4) Sign the SPA with riba clauses removed. (5) Your milestone-linked payment plan begins.

Question 13

How do off-plan payment plans work?

Accepted Answer

Most plans follow a 20-40% deposit at booking, with the remainder split across the construction period. Some plans extend for up to four years after handover. Payments are typically triggered by construction milestones, not fixed calendar dates.

Question 14

What happens if I miss a payment?

Accepted Answer

Dubai Law No. 19 protects buyers through a regulated process: the developer issues a 30-day written notice, then the Dubai Land Department issues its own 30-day notice and attempts to broker a settlement. If unresolved, the outcome depends on how far construction has progressed. With Waasiya's plans, no late-payment interest applies at any stage of this process.

Question 15

What documents do I need to purchase?

Accepted Answer

Just two things: a copy of your passport and your full residential address. No other documentation is required at the point of reservation.

Question 16

What fees do I need to pay when buying off-plan in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

The main costs are: your deposit (typically 20-25% of the property value at booking), the Dubai Land Department registration fee (4% of the property value), and for pre-launch projects only, an optional refundable Expression of Interest fee (AED 10,000-150,000 depending on developer).

Question 17

What is an Expression of Interest (EOI) fee?

Accepted Answer

An EOI fee is a refundable holding payment used for some pre-launch developments to secure your place in the queue before the project officially opens. It is separate from your deposit and is fully refunded if you choose not to proceed.

Question 18

How much does Waasiya save me compared to a standard developer plan?

Accepted Answer

A single late-payment incident on a standard developer plan typically costs AED 1,500-5,000. With Waasiya's shariah-conscious plans, that cost is AED 0, regardless of how many payments are affected.

Question 19

Will I qualify for a UAE Golden Visa?

Accepted Answer

If you purchase a property valued at AED 2,000,000 or more, you are eligible to apply for the UAE Golden Visa — a 10-year renewable residency for you and your immediate family. Many properties in our portfolio meet this threshold.

Question 20

What happens at handover?

Accepted Answer

Once the property is handed over you can move in, lease it out, or sell it. Dubai has no income tax and no capital gains tax, so rental income and sale profits are yours to keep. Our team can connect you with property management services if you plan to rent out the unit.

Question 21

What is the typical rental yield on Dubai property?

Accepted Answer

Dubai typically offers 6-10% gross rental yield for well-located apartments, with no income tax and no capital gains tax on returns.

Question 22

Can foreign nationals buy property in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, since January 2026. The Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis allows foreign individuals and companies to purchase property in government-designated zones across Riyadh, Jeddah, the Eastern Province, and certain areas of Makkah and Madinah. The law also covers Special Economic Zones such as NEOM and the Red Sea resorts.

Question 23

Do I need to be Muslim to buy property in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

In most parts of Saudi Arabia, there is no religious eligibility requirement. Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province are open to all qualifying foreign buyers within designated zones. Makkah and Madinah are the exceptions: ownership there is restricted to Muslim individuals and specific corporate structures under conditions set by the authorities.

Question 24

What are REGA designated zones and why do they matter?

Accepted Answer

The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) publishes maps of the specific districts where foreign ownership is permitted. Outside these zones, foreign buyers cannot register property in their own name. The maps can be updated by the Council of Ministers, so verifying the current status of any specific plot before committing funds is essential.

Question 25

Are there extra costs for foreign buyers in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A transaction cost specific to foreign buyers has been reported at around five percent of the property value, separate from standard transfer fees. Factor this into your budget from the outset and confirm the full cost breakdown with our team before signing.

Question 26

Which Saudi city is best for a foreign property investor in 2026?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your goals. Riyadh suits investors who want a large, liquid market with strong long-term fundamentals. Jeddah suits buyers drawn to the coastal lifestyle and the pilgrim-economy rental market. The Eastern Province suits investors looking for dependable rental demand at a more accessible price point. Makkah and Madinah suit eligible Muslim buyers for whom spiritual proximity is part of the investment case. NEOM and the Red Sea zones suit patient, development-story investors comfortable with longer timelines.

Question 27

Does Waasiya operate in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have live developments in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and are actively expanding our Saudi portfolio. Register at waasiya.com/start and our team will match you with available opportunities.

Frequently asked questions.

Getting started

Shariah compliance

The buying process

Fees and documents

After you buy

Investing in Saudi Arabia

Ready to invest?