Power of Attorney in UAE: What You Must Know Before Issuing a POA

✅ Quick Summary about Power of Attorney

• A POA allows someone to act on your behalf for personal, business, or legal matters.
• It can be limited (special) or general, and must be clearly defined.
• POAs must be notarized in Arabic or bilingual format.
• Only shareholders or owners can issue company POAs.
• Real estate POAs in Dubai have extra rules, especially regarding relatives.
• Online POA notarization is now available in the UAE.
• Property POAs have expiry limits (2 years for sale, 5 years for purchase).

What Is a Power of Attorney (POA) in the UAE?

In the UAE, a Power of Attorney or “POA” is a legally binding document that grants authority to another person or even a company to act on your behalf for a wide range of matters such as personal, financial, property, or even business.

This authorization can be limited or general, depending on the powers outlined in the document.

While it offers great flexibility and convenience, especially for those who are always busy, unavailable, or based overseas, it also carries legal responsibilities and potential risks.

Before you sign or grant a POA, here are the essential things you need to know:

When do you need a Power of Attorney in UAE?

In the UAE, a POA can cover a broad range of matters. Some of the common uses include:

• Property-related transactions
• Bank matters (Personal and Business)
• Business-related matters (Company formation, management, etc.)
• Vehicle-related transactions
• Visa and Immigration processes
• Family and personal matters

Each POA must clearly define the scope of powers granted to the authorized person that is necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

What are the types of Power of Attorney in the UAE?

There are three main types of POA in the UAE: General POA, Special POA, and Business POA. Each is used for different purposes and must clearly define the powers granted.

• Special or Specific Personal POA – this gives limited authority to the authorized person to a particular task, such as selling a specific property, buying a vehicle, court representation, and bank-related matters
• General POA – this grants broad powers to act on your behalf in multiple transactions or areas.
• Business POA – This POA grants the authorized person to act on behalf of the company for business-related matters only. It can either be general or limited only to specific.

Who can issue a Power of Attorney in the UAE?

Any individual or legal entity can issue a POA as long as they meet the following criteria:

• Someone who has a sound mind and is physically capable of understanding and acknowledging the POA.
• Any person who is at least 21 years of age.
• An individual who holds a valid passport and Emirates ID (for UAE residents).
• Foreign investors, business owners, or shareholders.
• Any legal entity inside or outside the UAE (additional documents/legalisations may be required).

How to legally issue a Power of Attorney in the UAE?

To be legally valid for use in the UAE, a POA must meet the following requirements:

• It must be drafted in Arabic or can be bilingual (Arabic & English)
• It must be notarized by an official notary in any of the UAE Courts (e.g, Dubai Courts, ADJD & MOJ).
• If the POA is issued from outside the UAE, it must be fully attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, the UAE Embassy of that issuing country, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. If the POA is in a different language, it must be translated into Arabic, as this is the official language of the UAE.

Online POA services are now available and widely accepted in the UAE, thanks to the country’s digitalization initiative offering convenience for remote users and people abroad. We’d be happy to assist you with this. Contact us for inquiries.

Legal limitations you should know:

POAs in the UAE are very powerful, but they come with legal limitations:

• A POA becomes automatically invalid:

o Upon the death of the Principal (the person granting the POA).

o The specific purpose of the POA has been fulfilled.

o The validity period of the POA expires.

o The POA is revoked by either the principal or the attorney (authorized person).

• In the UAE, only business owners or shareholders can issue a POA on behalf of the company. A manager, director, or authorized signatory of the company does not automatically have this right until and unless it is clearly mentioned in the company’s Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Articles of Association (AOA).
• If you are issuing a Power of Attorney in Dubai for the purpose of selling a real estate property, you must present a Title Deed or Oqood Certificate (Initial Contract of Sale) issued by the Land Department. An exception to this requirement applies if the POA is being granted to a first-degree relative (spouse, parents, or children).
• General POAs that state selling any real estate property in Dubai can only be granted to first-degree relatives (spouse, parents, or children). A proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be presented to the notary. If the certificate is issued outside the UAE, it has to be duly legalized up to the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE and translated into Arabic.
• Unless stated otherwise, a POA can be valid for an unlimited term until revoked.
• However, some matters and authorities impose validity limitations. Some of the most noted ones are:

o Property Sale POAs can only be valid for a maximum of 2 years

o Property Purchase POAs can only be valid for a maximum of 5 years

Final Thoughts:

Granting a POA in the UAE can save you both time and money. It can simplify legal processes – but it must be done correctly. Always define the powers clearly, limit the authority when possible, and work with a trusted agent or legal provider to ensure compliance with UAE laws.

At POA.ae, we offer full online notarization support from drafting to e-notarization assistance. We ensure each POA is carefully drafted and legally compliant, making the entire process secure, efficient, and stress-free.

📩 contact@poa.ae | ☎️ 800-POAAE (76223)

Frequently Asked Questions about Power of Attorney

1. Can I issue a Power of Attorney online in the UAE?

Yes, thanks to the UAE’s digitalization initiative, individuals can now issue a Power of Attorney (POA) for use in the UAE from anywhere in the world online. It is fast, convenient, and efficient. Contact us now to know more!

2. Can a company manager issue a Power of Attorney?

In the UAE, only owners/shareholders can issue and sign the POA for Company matters. The general manager does not have the automatic right to issue or sign a POA until and unless it is mentioned in the company’s MOA/AOA.

3. How to do the Power of Attorney online?

It’s simple!

1. Submit all the required documents online
2. Do a quick video verification with the notary
3. Receive your digitally issued, notarized POA, ready and legal to use anywhere in the UAE.

Contact us today to get started!

4. What is the cost of a Power of Attorney in Dubai?

To know more about the POA costs and timeline, please visit our pricing page or contact us for a more detailed overview of the pricing.

5. How to cancel a Power of Attorney in the UAE online?

Cancelling the POA online is just as simple as issuing one.

You will need a copy of the notarized POA you wish to cancel/revoke, along with the passport and Emirates ID (if applicable), and copies of the individuals mentioned in the document.

Once submitted, the cancellation/revocation can be processed online.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute as legal advice nor should it be used as a basis for any specific action or decision. Nothing on this page or website is to be considered as rendering of legal advice or legal services for any specific matter. Users of this website are advised to seek specific legal advice by contacting a lawyer regarding any specific legal issues.