BUSINESS

Dubai Property Market Surges as Chinese Buyers Chase Yields, Residency

Published: Dec. 3, 2025 11:49 a.m. GMT+8

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Dubai’s Palm Islands are among the city’s most expensive residential areas. Photo: Guan Cong/Caixin

Chinese buyers are increasingly snapping up homes in Dubai, drawn by relatively high rental yields, low taxes and residency incentives.

At major shopping malls such as Mall of the Emirates, Mandarin-speaking agents now routinely pitch villas and apartments to visitors from China. Some international real estate consultancies have gone further, holding invitation-only property showcases across Chinese cities to market Dubai homes directly to potential homeowners.

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Chinese buyers are increasingly purchasing Dubai homes, attracted by high rental yields (up to 8%), low taxes, and 10-year residency visas for property worth 2 million dirhams ($545,000).
Prime residential prices have risen 15% above the previous cycle’s peak, with some early investors seeing total returns of 14-15%; short-term rentals reach yields around 8%.
Developers are increasing supply, but prime office space is scarce, and new residential supply mainly comprises apartments, raising oversupply risks in some areas.

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Who’s Who

Savills: Savills is an international real estate consultancy with a presence in Dubai. Rachael Kennerley, their research director in Dubai, and Alec Smith, their head of sales and leasing, provide insights on the Dubai property market, including rental yields, capital appreciation, and off-plan sales data. Paula Walshe, Director of Transactional Services at Savills, also comments on the shortage of prime office space.

Microsoft: Microsoft is mentioned as a global peer for Chinese companies that tend to cluster in hubs like Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and the Jebel Ali Free Zone. These Chinese companies often position themselves near established international firms like Microsoft.

Oracle: Oracle is mentioned as one of the global peers near which Chinese companies tend to cluster in hubs like Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and the Jebel Ali Free Zone. This indicates that major international technology companies like Oracle have established a presence in these Dubai business hubs.

Meta: Meta is mentioned as a global peer near where Chinese companies tend to cluster in Dubai's business hubs like Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and the Jebel Ali Free Zone. These Chinese firms often position themselves close to major international companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, and Meta.

AI generated, for reference only