Comparison
Canada vs UAE
Side-by-side figures with visible as-of dates. The narrative below states the genuine trade-off — not a default recommendation to buy in Dubai.
Canada
UAE
Trade-off summary
Canada does not currently win anything for a foreign buyer, because a foreign buyer cannot participate. It is on this site for two reasons. First, as an honest answer to anyone asking 'should I look at Toronto or Vancouver?' — the answer is that you legally cannot, and no adviser telling you otherwise is describing the current law. Second, because the 1 January 2027 expiry makes it the one CLOSED market in this set with a credible near-term reopening, and the government's own evidence — foreign buyers were 1.1% of BC sales while prices rose 20% anyway — is why. Watch it. Do not plan around it.
Data
Side-by-side figures
Sourced ranges and values. Where a field is unpublished, the research file says so rather than inventing a number.
| Metric | Canada | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross yield range | Not published | 5.5%–8%as of 2026-07 · sourceDubai apartments; market-wide apartment average sits around 6.5–7% gross. Villas run 1.5–3 points lower (roughly 4.5–6%). Mid-market communities (JVC, Arjan, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Discovery Gardens) reach 7.5–9.5% gross; prime districts (Downtown, Palm Jumeirah) sit at 4–6% by design — those are capital-preservation plays, not income plays. |
| Net yield range | Not published | 4.5%–5.5%as of 2026-07 · sourceNet typically lands 1.5–2.5 percentage points below gross after service charges, management, maintenance and vacancy. Service charges are the single largest deduction and the most under-modelled cost: AED 10–32 per sq ft annually for apartments. Always obtain the building-specific figure before purchase, not the community average. |
| Total entry cost (indicative) | Not published | 7–10% of purchase price (ready property); 4–6% (off-plan)as of 2026-07 · sourceCash purchases sit nearer 7–8%; mortgaged purchases 8–10%. Off-plan is materially cheaper because there is no buyer agency commission. |
| Rental income tax | Not published | Noneas of 2026-05 · sourceNo personal income tax on rental earnings for individuals. A 9% UAE corporate tax may apply to net rental income above AED 375,000 where property is held in a corporate structure. Residential rentals are VAT-exempt; 5% VAT applies to commercial property. |
| Capital gains tax | Not published | Noneas of 2026-06 · sourceNo capital gains tax on residential property for individuals. |
| Annual property tax | Not published | Noneas of 2026-03 · sourceNo annual property tax. Owners do pay service charges (AED 10–32/sq ft for apartments) and a municipality housing fee of 5% of annual rental value, but these are not property taxes. |
| Residency / citizenship | Not published | Golden Visa — 10-year renewable residency from AED 2,000,000 property investmentas of 2026-05 · source |
| Foreign ownership | PROHIBITED for most foreign nationals until 1 January 2027as of 2026-04 · source | Freehold ownership permitted for all nationalities in designated freehold areas. Dubai has 60+ designated freehold zones including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, JVC, Dubai Hills Estate and Palm Jumeirah. No nationality restrictions in these zones; leasehold applies elsewhere.as of 2026-07 · source |
UAE enquiry
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This form routes to CoreSpaces Realty LLC in Dubai. We can advise on UAE property only — not on transactions in other markets covered on this site.