United Arab Bank (UAB) is a Sharjah-founded, UAE-wide conventional bank that offers residential mortgage lending to eligible buyers across the Emirates. YOUAE Mortgages works with UAB to arrange your home finance end to end — comparing their products against the full UAE market at no cost to you.
UAB mortgage products & features
UAB provides conventional home loan products designed to serve salaried employees and, in qualifying circumstances, self-employed applicants purchasing residential property in the UAE. Core features of the range include:
- Fixed-rate initial periods — UAB typically offers fixed rate windows of one to three years, giving buyers a predictable monthly repayment at the start of their loan before the rate adjusts to a variable benchmark.
- Variable-rate mortgages — once the fixed window expires (or from outset on a fully variable product), the rate tracks EIBOR and is repriced at regular intervals in line with the loan agreement.
- Ready property finance — mortgages for completed apartments, townhouses, and villas in UAE freehold zones are the core offering.
- Competitive loan-to-value ratios — UAE Central Bank caps LTV at 80% for residents on a first home up to AED 5 million; UAB lends within these regulatory limits, and sometimes below depending on the applicant profile.
- Loan tenors up to 25 years — subject to the applicant not exceeding the standard age limits (typically 65 for employed and 70 for self-employed) at the end of the mortgage term.
UAB's position as a mid-sized lender means it can at times offer more flexible credit considerations than the UAE's largest banks, which YOUAE can help you explore.
UAB mortgage rates
UAB's indicative mortgage rates start from 4.25%. This figure is a market guide only and should not be taken as a guaranteed offer — your personal rate will reflect your LTV, employment type, income, credit history, and the EIBOR rate prevailing at the time your offer is issued. Variable-rate products will fluctuate over time as EIBOR moves. YOUAE will obtain a live, personalised rate comparison from UAB and all other active UAE lenders so you can see exactly where UAB sits in the market before you commit.
Eligibility
UAB mortgage products are available to UAE residents and, subject to product availability and property location, to certain non-UAE resident buyers. Broad eligibility benchmarks that apply across the UAE mortgage market include:
- Minimum monthly income — a net income of approximately AED 15,000 per month is a common starting point, though specific thresholds can vary by product and LTV tier.
- Salaried employees — applicants with a confirmed employment contract and regular payslips from a UAE or recognised international employer are generally eligible.
- Self-employed applicants — self-employed buyers typically need at least two years of audited accounts and consistent income evidence; UAB considers such profiles on a case-by-case basis.
- Non-residents — non-resident applicants should be aware that maximum LTV is generally limited to 50% and that documentation requirements are more extensive; visit our non-resident mortgages page for further guidance.
- Standard documents — passport, UAE visa and Emirates ID, three months of payslips, six months of bank statements, and full property documentation will be required at minimum.
YOUAE will review your profile upfront and advise whether UAB or another lender is the stronger fit before any formal application is made.
Fees & costs
Buyers should plan for total purchase-related costs of around 7% of the property value in addition to the purchase price. In Dubai these typically break down as:
- DLD transfer fee — 4% of the purchase price, payable in cash at the time of transfer at the Dubai Land Department.
- Real estate agency commission — typically 2% of the purchase price.
- Mortgage registration fee — 0.25% of the loan amount, registered with the DLD.
- Valuation fee — generally AED 2,500–3,500, instructed by the lender.
- Bank arrangement fee — commonly 0.5–1% of the loan amount, deducted or charged at drawdown.
Fee structures vary across emirates; in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, for example, the transfer and registration fees differ from Dubai's. YOUAE will provide a fully itemised cost estimate for your specific transaction before you proceed.
Why compare UAB through a broker
UAB operates with a smaller retail footprint than the UAE's largest banks, which means its mortgage products are often overlooked by buyers who only approach the most visible lenders directly. As a whole-of-market broker, YOUAE includes UAB in every comparison we run, ensuring buyers with the right profile don't miss a competitive offer simply because UAB is less aggressively marketed. We also place cases that the largest banks decline — non-standard income structures, non-residents, buyers in less mainstream locations — and our established relationships with UAB's credit team mean we understand what they will and won't approve before we submit. Explore all Dubai mortgage options or see every lender on our banks page.
How to apply with YOUAE
- Free consultation — a YOUAE adviser reviews your financial profile, property goals, and deposit position.
- Whole-of-market comparison — we obtain indicative terms from UAB and every other active UAE lender and present the results side by side.
- Pre-approval submission — once you choose a preferred lender, we prepare and submit your full application and secure a formal pre-approval letter (typically valid 60–90 days).
- Property search — your pre-approval gives you negotiating confidence and confirms your budget.
- Completion — YOUAE manages correspondence with the bank, the DLD, and all parties through to transfer and key handover.
Start your mortgage journey with YOUAE today — the service is entirely free.
FAQs
Does UAB offer mortgages for properties outside the UAE's main cities?
UAB's mortgage lending focuses on completed properties in recognised UAE freehold zones. Whether a specific development or emirate is eligible depends on the property's title status and UAB's current approved project list. YOUAE will confirm eligibility for your chosen property before you apply.
How does UAB compare to larger UAE banks for mortgage rates?
Mid-sized banks such as UAB can be competitive on rate, particularly for borrower profiles that don't perfectly fit the large banks' automated credit models. YOUAE runs a live comparison across the whole market each time, so you always see exactly how UAB's offer stacks up. There is no cost or commitment involved in getting that comparison.
What deposit do I need for a UAB mortgage?
UAE Central Bank regulations require a minimum deposit of 20% for residents buying a first home valued up to AED 5 million (meaning an LTV of up to 80%). For properties above that threshold or for second homes and investment properties, the minimum deposit is higher. Non-residents typically need at least 50%. YOUAE will confirm the exact requirement for your scenario. See our non-resident mortgages guide if applicable.
Ready to find out if UAB is the right lender for your UAE property purchase? Book your free pre-approval consultation with YOUAE and get a whole-of-market comparison with no obligation.