Can foreigners buy property on Al Marjan Island?
Yes — foreigners of any nationality can buy property on Al Marjan Island with full, outright ownership. Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is a designated freehold zone, so international buyers get a title deed in their own name, with no local partner and no requirement to be a UAE resident. This guide answers everything a foreign buyer needs: what freehold means here, whether you need a visa, the costs, the step-by-step process, financing, and how it compares to Dubai.
In this guide
Yes — and here's exactly what you can own
Al Marjan Island is one of Ras Al Khaimah's designated freehold investment zones, alongside Al Hamra Village and Mina Al Arab. In a freehold zone, foreign nationals enjoy absolute ownership — the same ownership rights as a UAE national for that property. This is not leasehold and not usufruct (a time-limited right to use); it is outright ownership with a title deed issued by the RAK Land Department in your name, with no expiry.
That means you can live in the property, rent it out, sell it, or pass it on — with full legal title. RAK's property framework was formalised under the Real Estate Register Law (Law No. 11 of 2021), which created a centralised registration system providing conclusive evidence of ownership, giving foreign buyers strong legal certainty.
Do you need a UAE visa or residency to buy?
No. This is the most common question, and the answer is reassuring: you do not need a UAE residency visa, an Emirates ID, or any local sponsor to buy property on Al Marjan Island. Freehold property can be purchased by a non-resident buying from overseas. In fact, buying property is one of the routes to UAE residency (via the Golden Visa) rather than something that requires it first.
All you typically need to complete a purchase is a valid passport, the funds, and — for the transfer — the standard sale documentation. You can read more about financing options for overseas buyers in our non-resident mortgage guide.
Who exactly can buy? Nationality rules
| Buyer | Where they can own in RAK |
|---|---|
| UAE nationals | Anywhere in the emirate |
| GCC nationals | Anywhere in the emirate |
| All other foreign nationals | Freehold zones only — including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village and Mina Al Arab |
Because Al Marjan Island is a designated freehold zone, it is fully open to buyers of any nationality — there is no restricted list. This is precisely why it has become one of the UAE's most active markets for international investors, with branded residences (Wynn, Waldorf Astoria, Mondrian, Hilton and others) attracting buyers from around the world.
Buying on Al Marjan Island?
We compare 20+ UAE banks and confirm which finance your Al Marjan project — free. The bank pays us, never you.
Costs and fees for foreign buyers
One of Al Marjan Island's biggest advantages for foreigners is lower transaction costs than Dubai. The headline figures for 2026:
| Cost | Al Marjan Island (RAK) | Dubai (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Property registration / transfer fee | ~2% of value | 4% + AED 580 |
| Ownership type | Freehold, title deed | Freehold, title deed |
| Agency commission | ~2% (often waived on off-plan) | ~2% |
| Developer / admin fees | Varies; some absorb the transfer fee as an incentive | Varies |
| Entry price | From ~AED 1.2M; 30–40% below Dubai waterfront | Higher for comparable waterfront |
That ~2% RAK registration fee versus Dubai's 4% is a meaningful saving on a large purchase — around AED 40,000 on a AED 2 million property. Some off-plan developers on Al Marjan absorb the transfer fee entirely as a launch incentive, so always ask before signing. Note the RAK fee is payable at title transfer.
The step-by-step buying process
- Choose your unit — most Al Marjan sales are off-plan branded residences on developer payment plans.
- Reserve — pay a booking deposit (commonly 10–20%) and sign the reservation/sales agreement.
- Sign the SPA — the Sale and Purchase Agreement sets out the price, payment plan and handover terms; off-plan sales are registered (RAK's equivalent of Oqood).
- Pay per the plan — off-plan instalments follow construction milestones; funds are protected through the project's escrow account.
- Register with the RAK Land Department — on full payment (or per SPA terms), the property is registered and a title deed is issued in your name.
- Apply for the Golden Visa (optional) — once the title deed is in hand, if your investment is AED 2M+, apply through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Can foreigners finance an Al Marjan Island purchase?
Yes, though it depends on your residency and whether the unit is off-plan or ready:
- Non-residents can typically finance completed, titled property at 50–65% loan-to-value (up to ~75% with a Golden Visa), through banks that run non-resident programmes. See our non-resident mortgage guide.
- Off-plan (which is most of Al Marjan) is capped at 50% LTV and generally not offered to non-residents — which is why developer payment plans dominate the island. Most buyers pay the plan during construction, then arrange a mortgage on the completed unit at handover.
- UAE residents get the full range of financing — up to 80% on a ready first home, 50% off-plan. Model your numbers with our mortgage calculator.
For how off-plan financing works in detail, see can you get a mortgage on off-plan property and payment plan vs mortgage.
Golden Visa through your Al Marjan property
Buying on Al Marjan Island can be your route to long-term UAE residency. A qualifying property investment of AED 2 million or more supports the UAE 10-year Golden Visa, which extends to your spouse and children. The property must be registered in your name (the paid portion must meet the threshold for off-plan). This is one of the biggest draws for foreign buyers — you gain both a freehold asset in a fast-growing market and a decade of renewable residency. Our Golden Visa property guide covers the details.
Al Marjan vs Dubai for a foreign buyer
Foreigners can buy freehold in both, so the choice is about value and strategy. Al Marjan Island offers lower entry prices (30–40% below comparable Dubai waterfront), lower fees (~2% vs 4%), and an early-cycle growth story driven by the USD 5+ billion Wynn integrated resort opening in 2027 — the Middle East's first licensed gaming destination. Dubai offers a deeper, more liquid secondary market and a longer track record. Many international investors are now buying Al Marjan off-plan specifically to enter before the Wynn opening, while the secondary market there is still thin. Our full Al Marjan Island buying guide covers prices, developers, the Wynn effect and ROI in depth.
Can you buy from abroad without visiting?
Largely, yes. Much of an Al Marjan off-plan purchase can be completed remotely — reservation, SPA signing (often digitally or via power of attorney), and payment by international wire transfer or a UAE manager's cheque. You don't need to be in the country or hold a visa to complete. A local adviser can handle the on-the-ground steps and registration on your behalf. This makes Al Marjan genuinely accessible to overseas buyers who want UAE exposure without relocating first.
Thinking about a purchase on Al Marjan Island? We'll guide you through the whole process as an independent adviser — confirm which banks finance the project if you want a mortgage, and compare 20+ lenders for the sharpest rate. Get free advice and a quote, or read the full Al Marjan Island buying guide for prices and developers.
Related guides & tools
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property on Al Marjan Island?
Yes. Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is a designated freehold zone open to buyers of any nationality, with 100% outright ownership and a title deed issued by the RAK Land Department in your name. You do not need a UAE visa, residency or a local partner to buy.
Do I need a UAE visa or residency to buy on Al Marjan Island?
No. You can buy freehold property on Al Marjan Island as a non-resident, without a UAE visa, Emirates ID or sponsor. All you typically need is a valid passport and the funds. In fact, a property purchase of AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the UAE Golden Visa — so buying is a route to residency, not something that requires it.
What are the fees for foreigners buying on Al Marjan Island?
The main cost is the RAK property registration/transfer fee of about 2% of the value — notably lower than Dubai's 4%. Add roughly 2% agency commission (often waived on off-plan) and any developer admin fees. Some developers absorb the transfer fee as a launch incentive, so always ask before signing.
Can a foreigner get a mortgage for an Al Marjan Island property?
It depends. Non-residents can usually finance completed, titled property at 50–65% LTV (up to ~75% with a Golden Visa) through banks with non-resident programmes; off-plan (most of Al Marjan) is capped at 50% LTV and generally not offered to non-residents, so developer payment plans dominate. UAE residents get the full range. We compare lenders for your situation, free.
Can I buy property on Al Marjan Island from abroad?
Largely yes. Much of an off-plan purchase can be done remotely — reservation, SPA signing (often digitally or by power of attorney) and payment by international wire transfer or UAE manager's cheque. You don't need to be in the UAE or hold a visa to complete. A local adviser can handle registration on your behalf.
Does buying on Al Marjan Island qualify me for the Golden Visa?
Yes, if your property investment is AED 2 million or more and registered in your name (the paid portion must meet the threshold for off-plan). This supports the UAE 10-year renewable Golden Visa, which extends to your spouse and children. You apply through the ICP once your title deed is issued.
Is Al Marjan Island freehold or leasehold for foreigners?
Freehold. Foreign nationals get absolute, outright ownership with a title deed from the RAK Land Department — not leasehold and not usufruct. Ownership has no time limit and gives you the same rights over that property as a UAE national, including the right to sell, rent or bequeath it.
Figures and rules are indicative for 2026 and change frequently; they are estimates, not financial, legal or mortgage advice. LTV caps and lending policies are set by the banks and the UAE Central Bank; payment-plan terms are set by the developers. Always confirm current terms before committing.