- Travel required
- No, with a special power of attorney
- Off-plan payments
- Into the project's regulated escrow account
- Ownership record
- Oqood or title deed, viewable in Dubai REST
- Advert check
- Trakheesi permit and Madmoun QR
The remote sequence
- Private video viewing and verified Trakheesi listing
- Offer agreed; Form F or SPA signed electronically
- Off-plan: instalments to escrow, Oqood registered by the developer
- Resale: special POA legalised for UAE use and translated into Arabic
- Your attorney attends the trustee office; deed issued to you
- Handover, snagging and utility connection managed by your representative
Paying from abroad
International transfers usually arrive in dirhams before manager's cheques are drawn at transfer. Allow for exchange and bank timing, and confirm the exact cheque split with the trustee office.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy Dubai property without visiting?
Yes. Off-plan purchases are routinely completed electronically, and resale transfers can be completed by an attorney holding a legalised special power of attorney.
Is my money protected when buying off-plan from overseas?
Instalments for registered off-plan projects are paid into a regulated escrow account, and the purchase is registered on the DLD's Oqood system.
Sources
- Mondaq — Dubai's new standards for powers of attorney in property transactions
- Binghatti — power of attorney for property in Dubai
- Sotheby's International Realty UAE — complete guide to Oqood
- Gulf News — DLD launches Madmoun service for real estate ad verification
This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current fees and requirements with the Dubai Land Department or a registered trustee office.