Self-employed Dubai mortgages.
Trade-licence underwriting takes longer but it works. Here's which banks have the cleanest process and what you'll need to prepare.
Self-employed mortgages in the UAE require a different documentation set than salaried applications. Banks underwrite based on average personal and business income across 12+ months, with trade licence age and business stability as proxy for the salary slip.
ADCB has historically led the self-employed segment with a dedicated product. Mashreq, Emirates NBD and DIB also lend in this space — typically with 75% LTV maximum and rates 50–100 bps above salaried equivalents.
Self-employed rates available
| Bank | Product | Type | Rate | Max LTV | Min salary | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) | Self-employed Mortgage | Fixed 3y | 4.89% | 75% | AED 30K | — |
Self-employed mortgage FAQs
Which UAE banks offer self-employed mortgages?
ADCB has the most established self-employed product. Mashreq, Emirates NBD and DIB also lend to self-employed borrowers. Expect rates 50–100 bps above salaried-resident equivalents and tighter LTV (typically 75% max).
What documents do self-employed buyers need?
Trade licence (typically required to be 2+ years old), 12 months personal bank statements, 12 months business bank statements, audited or management financials for 2 years, MOA, and (where applicable) shareholder agreement showing your ownership share. Business income is averaged over the latest 12 months.
How long does a self-employed mortgage take?
10–21 business days for pre-approval, faster if you have all documents ready. Final approval after valuation and snagging adds another 2–4 weeks.