Dubai Production City (IMPZ): affordable living on the E311

In short: Dubai Production City, formerly IMPZ (International Media Production Zone), lies on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road near Sports City and Motor City. The district offers apartments in the lower price segment and is in demand with long-term tenants on a small budget. For investors it’s an entry point with low capital requirements.

Location and access

Dubai Production City lies on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), between Sports City and Motor City and the residential districts of Arabian Ranches. The Marina is about 20 minutes away, Downtown about half an hour. Its position on the E311 makes the district easy to reach, but there is no metro.

From IMPZ to Production City

The area was founded in the 2000s as the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) – a free zone for printers, publishers and production companies. It was later renamed Dubai Production City. Alongside the commercial space, numerous apartment buildings went up, today mainly home to professionals on a smaller budget.

Living in Production City

• Affordable: One of the more affordable residential locations in new Dubai.
• Everyday life: Supermarkets and small restaurants in the district.
• Leisure: Golf, sport and motorsport in the neighbouring districts.
• Mobility: Limited without a car.

Buying an apartment in Production City

In Production City you buy ready apartments, mostly studios and one- or two-bedroom units, plus the occasional new project. The buildings date mainly from the 2000s and 2010s.

What matters

• Building condition: Management and maintenance vary greatly.
• Service charges: Especially important for the yield on affordable apartments.
• Amenities: A pool, gym and parking are key letting arguments.

How buying in Dubai Production City works

In Dubai Production City you mostly buy ready, second-hand homes. The process is clearly regulated and often takes only a few weeks once you agree:

1. Check: viewing on site or by video, plus a look at service charges, condition and any existing tenancy.
2. Sale agreement: buyer and seller sign the standard contract of the regulator RERA (Form F); a 10 percent deposit is usual.
3. No objection certificate: the developer confirms with an NOC that no service charges are outstanding.
4. Transfer: payment and transfer of ownership take place at a Registration Trustee of the Dubai Land Department; you receive the title deed.

You’ll find every step in detail in our guide Buying a ready property in Dubai. On top of the price come buying costs of around 6.5 percent – see buying costs. If you can’t be there, the trustee appointment can be handled with a power of attorney.

Running costs as an owner in Dubai Production City

After buying an apartment, these are the main ongoing costs:

• Service charges: for maintenance, security, pools and common areas, calculated by the size of your unit. The approved rates for each building are listed in the Service Charge Index of the Dubai Land Department.
• Electricity and water: via the utility DEWA; many buildings add a separate charge for district cooling.
• Housing fee: 5 percent of the annual rental value, billed through the DEWA account. It is paid by whoever lives in the home – so by your tenant if you let it.
• Ejari: every tenancy contract is registered; via the Dubai REST app this costs AED 177.75.
• Management: if you aren’t on site, a property manager handles letting and upkeep for a fee.

Unlike in many countries, there is no annual property tax in Dubai. All items are explained in our guide Buying costs in Dubai.

A visa through your property

With a property in Dubai Production City you may also be able to get a residence visa:

• Golden Visa: ten years of residence if your properties in Dubai are worth at least AED 2 million in total – also with a mortgage or, under certain conditions, off-plan.
• Investor visa: a shorter visa for owners who don’t reach the Golden Visa threshold.

The detailed requirements are explained in our guide Golden Visa with property.

Typical mistakes when buying

• Looking only at the low price: A poorly managed building quickly eats up the yield.
• Forgetting vacancy: Plan for the apartment to stand empty for a few weeks between tenants.
• Buying without a viewing: Have someone show you the building on site or by video.

Renting out

Tenants are mainly professionals on a smaller budget looking for modern homes on a major road. Long-term letting is the focus. Use our rental yield calculator to check what’s left at the end.

Compared

Pros and cons

Who Production City suits

Production City suits the tactician who wants to build solid rental income on a small budget. Our guide to buying costs shows why fixed fees weigh more heavily on low purchase prices.

Our verdict

Dubai Production City is a pragmatic way into the rental market with a low capital requirement. If you choose a well-managed building and calculate carefully, you’ll find a down-to-earth investment here.

Frequently asked questions

Updated: October 2026. This article describes the district in general terms. Prices, rents and service charges change all the time; for a specific property we check the current figures with you.