How does mortgage pre-approval work in Dubai and how long is it valid?

Pre-approval (an 'in-principle' approval) is the bank's confirmation of how much it will lend, based on your income, liabilities and credit check. It's usually issued in 2-5 working days and stays valid for 60-90 days. It's often free, lets you shop with a firm budget and negotiate as a serious buyer - but it isn't final; the property still needs valuation.