Short answer: yes, UAE residents can buy a home in the United States. There is no federal ban on foreign buyers. The rules that matter are state laws, and some of them restrict buyers by citizenship or by home country. Check those first, then choose the state.
Cresco Homes USA is the new US homes division of Cresco Real Estate, run from our Los Angeles office for buyers in Dubai, the Gulf and South Asia. It starts with Florida and opens for brokerage once our US broker of record is appointed, expected in the coming weeks. Until then we publish research and keep a priority list.
Why Florida first
- Florida took 21% of all foreign buyer home purchases in the US, more than any other state (NAR, April 2024 to March 2025).
- Foreign buyers bought about 16,400 Florida homes worth $10.4 billion, and about 60% paid cash (Florida Realtors, August 2024 to July 2025).
- Florida ranked second in the US for new single family building permits in 2025, after Texas (NAHB).
Check your passport before you choose a state
Florida’s law looks at where you live permanently. Texas looks at your citizenship. For most UAE, Saudi, Indian and Pakistani passport holders, Florida, Texas and California are open. An Iranian citizen with no second citizenship is restricted in Texas, while in Florida someone whose permanent home is the UAE is generally assessed on the UAE. Always confirm with a lawyer in that state.
The full table by passport is here: which US states can foreigners buy property in.
Can you buy without flying to the US?
In many cases, yes. Contracts are signed electronically, deposits go to the escrow or title company named in the contract, and Florida allows online notarization for signers outside the state. Our step by step guide covers deposits, property tax, community fees and insurance: how to buy a new home in Florida from Dubai.
What it costs on the US side
Expect US property tax, US income tax on any rent, FIRPTA withholding when you sell and US estate tax on the home. We explain each in US real estate taxes for GCC investors.
Join the priority list
We screen passport and residence first, check builders properly and never hold client money. Join the Cresco Homes USA priority list.
Frequently asked questions
Can UAE residents buy property in the USA?
Yes. There is no federal ban on foreigners buying US homes. Some states restrict buyers by citizenship or home country, so check the state before you reserve.
Which US state is best for buyers from Dubai?
Florida is the largest market for foreign buyers in the US, with 21% of foreign buyer purchases, and its law tests where you live rather than your passport.
Can I buy a US home from Dubai without visiting?
In many cases, yes. Contracts can be signed electronically and Florida allows online notarization for signers outside the state.
Method and limits
Sources: National Association of Realtors, 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate; Florida Realtors, 2025 Profile of International Residential Transactions in Florida; NAHB permits, March 2026; Florida SB 264 and Texas SB 17; Florida Statutes s. 117.265. Cresco Homes USA opens for brokerage with a licensed broker of record. General information, not legal, tax or investment advice.