Short answer
- To verify the escrow account for off-plan in Dubai from the UK, use Dubai REST: the DLD says off-plan investors can see a project's escrow account number in the app.
- The Project Status (Mashrooi) service in Dubai REST shows escrow account details alongside project, developer and inspection details.
- Dubai REST is on the UK App Store; foreign investors log in with UAE PASS or a title deed, and UAE PASS has a Visitor path using a passport.
- Escrow accounts in Dubai are run only by banks licensed by the UAE Central Bank, operating in Dubai and approved by RERA, per the DLD FAQ.
An invoice from Dubai lands in your inbox with bank details at the bottom. Before sterling leaves your account, check those details against the official record, not the invoice.
How do I verify the escrow account for off-plan in Dubai from the UK?
Look up the project in the Dubai Land Department's Dubai REST app and compare the escrow account number shown there with the one on the payment request. If they differ, do not pay until the difference is explained in writing.
An escrow account in Dubai is the bank account opened in a project's name under Law No. 8 of 2007, into which off-plan buyers' payments are deposited. The DLD FAQ says it can only be run by a bank or financial institution licensed by the UAE Central Bank, operating in Dubai and approved by RERA.
Investors must verify that off-plan projects are licensed and registered with an escrow account
Where does Dubai REST show escrow details for British buyers?
In the Project Status service. The DLD's guide to Project Status (Mashrooi) says it shows project details and status, developer details, escrow account details and inspection details, and you reach it by opening Services, choosing "Project Status (Mashrooi)" and searching by project name.
Set up UAE PASS
Register on UAE PASS as a Visitor using your British passport; a UK mobile number is accepted for visitors.Install Dubai REST
Download it from the UK App Store or Google Play, published by Dubai Land Department, and log in with UAE PASS.Open Project Status
Go to Services, choose "Project Status (Mashrooi)" and search for your project by name.Record the escrow details
Screenshot the escrow account number and the bank, with the date visible, and save it with your SPA.
The app's version notes (v7.0.0) restrict login for foreign investors to UAE PASS and title-deed options. Off-plan buyers without a title deed will in practice need UAE PASS; that is our reading of the login options, as the DLD does not say so directly.
What does an escrow account number check involve for UK investors?
Three comparisons, done every time you pay. The account number, the bank's name and the project name on the payment request should all match what Dubai REST shows for your project.
| Item | Payment request | Dubai REST |
|---|---|---|
| Account number | Printed on the invoice | Escrow account number in Project Status |
| Bank | Named on the invoice | Escrow bank listed for the project |
| Account name | Payee name | Should be in the project's name |
| Project status | Not shown | Active, finished or cancelled label |
Example: an invoice for a hypothetical £15,000 instalment shows an account ending in different digits from the one in Dubai REST. That mismatch is your cue to stop, ask in writing and wait for an explanation before sending anything.
What if the developer says the bank details have changed?
Verify through a channel you already trust. Call the developer on a number from your SPA or earlier paperwork, not one in the new email, then check Dubai REST again for the project's escrow details.
The FCDO also advises a paper receipt for any money paid abroad.
Does the escrow account mean my money is safe?
Escrow controls how money is used; it does not guarantee the project will be finished. The DLD FAQ says withdrawals are generally limited to contractors, consultants and marketing, with marketing capped at 5% of total sales.
- Marketing withdrawals
- Max 5%
- Of total sales (DLD FAQ)
- Retention after completion
- 5% for 1 year
- Law 8/2007, Art. 14
- UK APP cap
- £85,000
- UK-to-UK payments only
When is the best time to check with Dubai?
Before you authorise the transfer, during Dubai's working day. The UAE is on UTC+4 all year: 3 hours ahead of London under BST, and 4 hours ahead once the clocks go back on 25 October 2026. Checking at 8am in Cardiff means 12pm in Dubai in winter, with time to get a reply before your bank's cut-off.
Before each payment, check the project's escrow details against the invoice. If money has already gone to another account, see the UK guide to payments outside escrow, and pair this check with the UK routine for construction progress before payment. The global escrow verification guide and the UK buyers' hub cover related questions.
How does an escrow account number check work for UK investors in Dubai?
Can British buyers see Dubai REST escrow details without living in Dubai?
Who can operate an escrow account for a Dubai off-plan project?
Does a Dubai escrow account mean the project will be completed?
What should I do if an email says the escrow bank details have changed?
Related guides
- GuideHow to verify the escrow account for off-plan property in Dubai before you pay
- Country hubDubai off-plan problems for UK buyers: a guide to every stage
- UK guidePaid the developer, not the escrow account in Dubai: next steps for UK buyers
- UK guideHow British buyers can check construction progress on Dubai off-plan before paying
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change; check the official source before acting. Published 12 October 2026, last updated 12 October 2026.