Short answer
- An EOI refund in Dubai, for Canada investors, depends on the developer's own written terms: no official DLD or RERA rule on EOIs was found.
- An EOI (expression of interest) is a payment made before the SPA to register interest in a launch; whether it counts as an off-plan payment that must go to escrow is not confirmed for Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi is different: under rules ADREC announced in February 2026, developers must register EOIs on ADREC's Madhmoun platform, with funds in a supervised escrow account.
- If the project was marketed to you in British Columbia, BCFSA says REDMA covers development properties located anywhere in the world.
- Suspected fraud goes to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local police.
EOI refund, Dubai: Canada investors, what decides it?
With no published Dubai rule on EOIs, the developer's own terms at the time of payment decide whether money comes back. Your receipt, the EOI form and emails are what you will rely on. An EOI also precedes the SPA (sale and purchase agreement) and Oqood, the DLD's interim register, so standard off-plan safeguards may not reach it yet.
Where an EOI sits in the buying process
Expression of interest refund: Dubai buyers in Canada should collect this first
Assemble proof of what was promised before asking for the money back.
Phase 1: gather the evidence
…refused to return the deposit on the grounds that the deposit is not refundable…
A portal (dubizzle, 2026) says EOIs are usually refundable or partly refundable depending on the developer's terms. That is a description of common practice, not a Dubai rule, so treat your own paperwork as the deciding document.
EOI not refunded? Developer, Canadian buyers: the escalation checklist
Send one clear written demand, then work out whether you face a contract dispute or possible fraud, because each leads somewhere different.
Phase 2: ask in writing
| Sign | Likely track | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Refund clause exists but is delayed | Contract dispute | Written demand, then DLD settlement or a Dubai lawyer |
| Terms say non-refundable | Contract terms | Legal advice on whether the term can be challenged |
| Recipient was not the developer | Possible fraud | CAFC, local police and your bank |
| No project appears in any registry | Possible fraud | CAFC and the DLD |
Which Canadian routes exist for an EOI paid from Canada?
Canada offers reporting routes and, in BC, a regulator covering foreign developments, but no scheme that refunds a transfer you authorized.
Phase 3: keep the timeline tight
Not paid yet? Read what an EOI is and who holds the money. See also booking deposit refunds, where a Dubai developer dispute goes, the global EOI refund guide and the Canadian buyers' hub. You can also check a project's registry facts before deciding.
Is an EOI refundable in Dubai?
Does EOI money go into escrow in Dubai?
Can BCFSA help if I paid an EOI in British Columbia?
Should I report an unrefunded EOI to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre?
Related guides
- Canada guideIs an expression of interest on Dubai property refundable? A pre-payment checklist for buyers in Canada
- Canada guideBooking deposit refund from a Dubai developer: what Canadian buyers can check and claim
- Canada guideOff-plan dispute with a developer in Dubai: where Canadian buyers can take it
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.