Ownership guide for Ajman: how foreigners buy

What you need to know

1. Who decides where foreigners may own property in Ajman?

   Ajman Law No. 3 of 2023 on Real Estate Registration was issued by the Ruler of Ajman on 18 October 2023, took effect 30 days later, and says in Article 4 that the areas where people who are not citizens may own property in Ajman, and for how long, are set by a decree of the Ruler.

   Where this comes from

   • Ruler's Court of Ajman — Law No. 3 of 2023 on Real Estate Registration in the Emirate of Ajman (Arabic original, archived copy of the regulator's file), read 12 October 2026

2. When does ownership pass to the buyer in Ajman?

   In Ajman, ownership of a property passes only when it is entered in the Real Estate Register kept by the Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, and any property dealing that is not entered in that register is void (Ajman Law No. 3 of 2023, issued 18 October 2023, Articles 5 and 8).

   Where this comes from

   • Ruler's Court of Ajman — Law No. 3 of 2023 on Real Estate Registration in the Emirate of Ajman (Arabic original, archived copy of the regulator's file), read 12 October 2026

3. How long does registering a property in Ajman take?

   Ajman's land department states that registering a property takes about 5-7 minutes and gives a site plan and a provisional title certificate; the title deed follows after it is signed by His Highness the Governor, as the FAQ puts it.

   Where this comes from

   • Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, FAQs (updated 29 October 2026), read 4 November 2026

4. How long can a long-term lease last in Ajman?

   Ajman Law No. 3 of 2023 on Real Estate Registration defines a long-term lease in Ajman as a lease of a property or unit for no more than 99 years, and its definitions of musataha (a right to build on land owned by someone else) and usufruct (a right to use and benefit from property owned by someone else) give no maximum number of years (Article 1).

   Where this comes from

   • Ruler's Court of Ajman — Law No. 3 of 2023 on Real Estate Registration in the Emirate of Ajman (Arabic original, archived copy of the regulator's file), read 12 October 2026

5. Can an owner sell with money still owed on the unit?

   In Ajman, an owner may not sell a real estate unit until all amounts due on it are paid (Law No. 3 of 2020, Art. 28).

   Where this comes from

   • Ajman Law No. 3 of 2020 regulating owners' affairs, English text on ajmanre.gov.ae, read 4 November 2026

6. Can the management company claim unpaid service fees on a unit?

   In Ajman, the management company has a lien on each unit for unpaid service fees and other unpaid financial obligations (Law No. 3 of 2020, Art. 30).

   Where this comes from

   • Ajman Law No. 3 of 2020 regulating owners' affairs, English text on ajmanre.gov.ae, read 4 November 2026

7. Can I sell a property that still has a mortgage?

   Ajman's land department states that a mortgagor may dispose of mortgaged property only with the consent of the concerned authority.

   Where this comes from

   • Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, FAQs (updated 29 October 2026), read 4 November 2026

8. What papers are needed to register an inheritance in Ajman?

   Ajman's land department registers an inheritance on the original title deed, the applicant's ID and the court's determination of heirs, with the set fees.

   Where this comes from

   • Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, FAQs (updated 29 October 2026), read 4 November 2026