Yes Amlak, Tamweel, HSBC, Lloyds, MashreqBank, RAKBANK, National Bank of Dubai, United National Bank, Arab Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and United Bank Ltd (Pakistan) are just some of the banks that lend on Dubai property, both on and off-plan. Each one has different rates and terms, and some only lend to residents. You can also now get mortgages internationally for property in Dubai. HSBC I the UK, for example, will lend asset backed mortgages against a property you own there. Other banks are starting to do the same.

Firstly, lenders do not lend on every project currently being built. Often buildings are sold that no one leads on at all, but given the favorable payment structure system in Dubai, that doesn't mean they aren't worth buying. On the other hand, it is possible to get a mortgage on many off-plan properties, unlike most places in the world.

On the whole, and in comparison with international rates, rates are considered to be expensive at between 6-8% . But these are not asset backed as they would generally be were you to get a mortgage for a Dubai property somewhere else in the world. Mortgages in Dubai depend on your income as the main factor.

Some banks are claiming that they will give you an offer in under a week. Do not assume this is the case though. It is almost unheard of, and you should expect at least two weeks.

Yes, this is preferable and is the way to go. Most lenders will work out how much they are likely to lend you before you have a specific property in mind. This means you can then go shopping, and find something you know you can afford. It means fewer surprises, and less heartache.

Your monthly income, less expenses, and then generally divided by three. This gives the figure they will work from, for each month over the term. They do not base it on how well the asset might perform, and do not allow for low-loan-to-value (ie large down payment with small loan). This system makes it frustratingly limited because even if you are earning a seriously good wage, do not assume that a bank- any bank for that matter- will lend you substantial sums. Always check whether the property you are buying has a lender, and always check whether they will lend to you.

Most states expect you to pay tax on assets abroad. In some jurisdictions, however (the UK being one example), it is possible not to pay, by ensuring that rental income or proceeds from the sale of a Dubai property remain offshore. The best way to do this is through an offshore company where you can keep revenue or an offshore deposit account with an international bank which allows you to deposit and transfer funds with a certain amount of privacy.

Yes. But your contract should state that you are entitled to one. Residence visas are subject to normal immigration regulations. They are renewable every three years, for example. They do not replace a work permit. And if you have a work permit, your residency will come from that.