“Freehold” is the word that matters most to buyers arriving from outside the UAE. This article explains what it means for an apartment in Ajman, how Salsabeel’s current projects are sold, and the practical points a non-UAE national should check before paying a booking amount. It sticks to what is written on the developer’s documents and the Ajman government’s service pages.
Freehold, in one paragraph
A freehold apartment is registered in the owner’s name without a time limit, and the owner can sell it, let it or pass it on. The alternative is a leasehold or usufruct right for a fixed number of years. When a project is described as “freehold for all nationalities”, it means the developer is allowed to sell units in that building to buyers regardless of citizenship, and the title is registered with the emirate’s land department in the buyer’s name.
Salsabeel’s projects: all freehold, all nationalities
The three Salsabeel buildings on this site are sold freehold to buyers of every nationality:
- Salsabeel Golf View Residence, Al Zorah: two buildings of ground plus 8 floors inside the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, studios to 2-bedroom, handover Q1 2027.
- Azora Tower, Al Alia: 28 floors plus shops, studios to 3-bedroom, handover Q2 2028.
- Enjaz Salsabeel, Al Alia: ground plus 4 floors with 28 apartments and 7 shops, under construction, handover Q1 2028, prices to be released.
Freehold status is stated in the developer brochures and on the project pages; your sale agreement will say the same thing.
What registration looks like for a foreign buyer
Every sale in Ajman is registered with the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation. For a foreign buyer the steps are the same as for a national, with two differences worth knowing:
- The fee rate. The department’s “Sale registration of a real estate unit” page lists the registration fee at 2% of the value for UAE and GCC nationals and 3% for foreign residents, paid by the buyer, plus a title-deed fee. Budget the 3% figure if you are not a GCC national, and confirm the current rate on the department’s page before you sign.
- Documents. The department lists the required documents on the same service page, and the sales team will give you the exact list for your case (resident or non-resident) before the appointment.
Our article on registration fees and buying costs works through the amounts on a real price.
Buying from abroad
If you are outside the UAE when you decide, the usual sequence is:
- Receive the price sheet and the plan for the unit on WhatsApp or email.
- Choose the unit; confirm number, floor, size basis and view in writing.
- Pay the booking amount by bank transfer. On the current sheets this is 15% for Salsabeel Golf View Residence and 10% for Azora Tower.
- Sign the agreement; ask whether your signature can be collected remotely.
- Register the sale. The department offers a remote registration service, so ask the consultant whether your sale qualifies.
The monthly instalments are then paid to the developer by transfer. No bank mortgage is involved: both Salsabeel Golf View Residence and Azora Tower are sold “directly with the developer, no banks”, with plans of up to 8 years.
Where your money goes
A foreign buyer paying for a building that is still under construction should ask where the payments are held. Both Salsabeel Golf View Residence and Azora Tower have an escrow account for the project. Payments for the project go into that account, which is kept separate from the developer’s general funds. We explain the mechanism, and its limits, in What is an escrow account and why it matters. Enjaz Salsabeel has not yet published escrow details.
Who the developer is
Salsabeel Real Estate sells its own projects under the umbrella of Enjaz, Lootah Group. The company has delivered Salsabeel Golf View in Al Zorah (2022), Salsabeel 5 (2025) and Reem Al Salsabeel (2025), and Salsabeel Parks in Al Alia is due for handover in December 2026. The office is at University Street, Al Jerf 1, Villa 8, Ajman, open Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
What this article does not claim
We do not quote rental yields or returns, and we do not describe freehold as a guarantee of anything beyond registered ownership. Market prices move; the only numbers here are the developer’s prices and the department’s fees, each with its date and source.
Next step
Download the free Ajman First-Property Buying Guide, or message the sales team on WhatsApp with your nationality and residence status so they can send the exact document list and the current price sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own an apartment in Ajman outright?
Yes, in freehold projects. Salsabeel Golf View Residence, Azora Tower and Enjaz Salsabeel are all sold freehold to buyers of every nationality, and the sale is registered in the buyer's name with the Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation.
Is the registration fee different for foreign buyers?
The Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation's sale-registration page lists 3% of the value for foreign residents and 2% for UAE and GCC nationals, paid by the buyer at registration, plus the title-deed fee. Check the service page for the current figures before you budget.
Do I have to be in the UAE to buy?
Not for the whole process. You can review the price sheet and sign remotely, pay the booking amount by transfer, and ask about the department's remote registration service. A consultant will tell you which steps still need a signature in person for your case.
Prices and payment plans come from the developer sheets on the dates stated and are subject to change and to the sales documents. This article is general information, not investment or legal advice.
Permit No. AJRE2163 – Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation – AjmanPermit No. AJRE2304 – Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation – Ajman