Buying Dubai Property Remotely: Power of Attorney, Digital Signing and Video Viewings

By the MgtWell Property research desk. Reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Many Dubai property buyers live thousands of kilometres from the city. The good news is that buying Dubai property remotely is a well-trodden path. With the right checks, a clear process and, where needed, a correctly prepared power of attorney (POA), you can go from first viewing to registered ownership without boarding a plane. This guide explains how each piece works in 2026.

Remote buying at a glance

Step 1: Viewings by video

A good remote viewing is more than a slick tour. Ask your agent for:

• A live video call, not only pre-recorded footage, so you can direct the camera.
• The view from each window, the corridor, the lifts and the building entrance.
• Checks on water pressure, air conditioning and any signs of damp.
• A short drive or walk around the area at the time of day you would care about, such as the morning commute.

For off-plan, you will usually tour the show apartment and the site, and review floor plans, specifications and the master plan.

Step 2: Do the checks from wherever you are

Dubai's government tools work from anywhere:

• Project status: the DLD Real Estate Project Status service on the DLD website, the Dubai REST app or WhatsApp (8004488) shows a project's details and completion percentage.
• Escrow: confirm the escrow account in the SPA before you pay anything.
• Broker and listing: check the agent and advert are licensed. Our guide on how to verify a Dubai broker and listing shows how.

Step 3: Signing contracts remotely

Off-plan. Many developers send the reservation form and SPA for electronic signature and register the sale on the DLD's interim register (Oqood) themselves. You receive the Oqood certificate as proof of registration. Our guide to Oqood vs title deed explains what each document means.

Ready property. The buyer and seller sign a memorandum of understanding (commonly known as Form F), which can usually be signed electronically. The final transfer happens at a DLD-registered trustee office, where the title deed is issued in the buyer's name. That is the moment you either attend, use a POA, or use a digital service if you qualify.

What about the DLD digital sale service?

The DLD offers Buy or Sell Property via Dubai Now, which lets eligible buyers and sellers create, sign and pay for a sale digitally and receive an electronic title deed. However, the DLD's service terms limit it to individuals with a UAE ID, and UAE PASS is required. In practice it suits buyers who hold an Emirates ID. It also applies only to certain freehold units with no mortgage or restrictions. Most overseas buyers without an Emirates ID will still use a POA or attend in person for a resale transfer.

Step 4: The power of attorney, done properly

A POA lets a trusted person, often a lawyer or a family member in Dubai, sign on your behalf. In July 2025, the DLD issued Circular No. 29/R/2025, which tightened the standards. As summarised by BSA Law:

Requirements for a POA issued outside the UAE

1. Notarised in the country where you sign it.
2. Legalised by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country.
3. Attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Translated in full into Arabic by a UAE-licensed legal translator, where the original is not in Arabic.
5. Original document presented. Scans and uncertified electronic copies are not accepted.
6. Issued within two years before it is submitted.

Wording matters

The POA must expressly authorise the specific act, using approved wording such as "purchase of real estate" or "sale of real estate". General wording like "full authority to manage property" may be rejected. If a mortgage is involved, the POA must cover it specifically.

Verification

The DLD verifies POAs through official court and Ministry of Justice portals, and the circular states that QR codes are not accepted for verification. Your details (name, passport number) must match DLD records.

Tip: have the POA drafted by a Dubai property lawyer before you visit a notary at home. A POA that fails the DLD's checks can delay a transfer by weeks while a new one is legalised. If you happen to visit Dubai once, signing a POA before a Dubai notary can be simpler than the overseas legalisation chain.

General information, not tax/legal advice. Speak to a qualified adviser in your country.

Step 5: Moving the money

• Off-plan: wire each instalment to the project's escrow account named in your SPA. Keep every receipt.
• Ready property: funds for the seller, DLD fees and any mortgage settlement are usually arranged for the transfer day, commonly by manager's cheques from a UAE bank. Plan ahead, because international transfers and opening a UAE account can take time.
• Currency: the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar, which simplifies budgeting for dollar-based buyers. Buyers paying in pounds, euros or rupees should plan for exchange rate movements between instalments.

Never send money to a personal account, and be wary of any last-minute change to payment details. Call to confirm using a number you already trust.

How MgtWell supports remote buyers

Remote buying works best when someone is physically on your side in Dubai and someone is available in your own time zone. MgtWell has representatives abroad, including in the USA, the UK and Germany, who can meet you locally, while our Dubai team handles viewings, checks, paperwork, the transfer and handover. See how we work with buyers from your country on our international buyers page.

Buying from abroad is not a shortcut around due diligence. Done properly, it is the same purchase with fewer flights.

Frequently asked questions