How to Get a Real Estate License in Dubai in 2026

What does a real estate license in Dubai actually mean?

For an individual agent, the relevant authorization is generally a real estate professional practice card. For a brokerage business, licensing involves selecting the correct commercial activity, obtaining the required business licence and completing the applicable Dubai Land Department registration before employees begin practising.

Dubai Land Department lists professional cards for several regulated activities, including real estate brokerage, project marketing, mortgage brokerage, real estate consultancy, property management and valuation. The card issued must match the activity the individual will perform. broker should therefore not assume that a property management, marketing or consultancy approval allows them to conduct sales and leasing brokerage. The activity on the company licence and the employee’s professional card should be aligned.

Who regulates real estate brokers in Dubai?

Dubai Land Department, commonly known as DLD, oversees the emirate’s property sector. The Real Estate Regulatory Agency operates as its regulatory arm, while Trakheesi is the electronic platform used for licensing, professional cards, permits and related real estate services.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism is also involved when a mainland company obtains or amends its commercial licence. Applications for regulated real estate activities are then connected with DLD and RERA requirements.

For certain free-zone or freehold-area arrangements, an additional no-objection certificate may be required from the relevant licensing authority. Applicants should confirm this before signing an office lease or paying for a business formation package. an become a real estate agent in Dubai?

An aspiring agent will generally need valid identification, an appropriate UAE residency arrangement, the required professional qualification or training, a good conduct certificate, a passing examination result and registration under a licensed real estate business.

DLD’s training platform states that a person may attend training even when their visa is not yet under the brokerage. However, professional registration is a separate stage, and the broker card is connected to the licensed company and the validity of its trade licence. tinction matters for overseas applicants. A candidate may research employers, attend available training or prepare for the profession before finalising employment. That does not automatically permit the person to advertise properties, negotiate transactions or represent themselves as a registered broker.

Employers may also apply their own recruitment conditions, including language skills, sales experience, market knowledge, driving capability or educational qualifications.

How do you get a real estate license in Dubai step by step?

The usual route is to choose the correct professional activity, obtain or confirm UAE residency, join a licensed brokerage, complete the required training, pass the broker examination, obtain a good conduct certificate and apply for the professional card through Trakheesi.

1. Decide whether you want to become an agent or open a brokerage

An employee agent and a brokerage owner follow different licensing routes.

An agent normally works under an existing licensed real estate company. A business owner must establish a legal entity, select the appropriate real estate activity, obtain commercial approval and register the business and its professionals with the relevant authorities.

Clarifying the route early helps prevent unnecessary spending on the wrong licence, visa or office arrangement.

2. Arrange UAE residency and an Emirates ID

A valid Emirates ID is part of the professional-card documentation listed by DLD. Expatriates should therefore understand how their employment and residency will be structured before the final registration stage. es should check whether the brokerage will sponsor the residence visa or whether they may work under another permitted residency category. They should also confirm who will pay for medical testing, Emirates ID processing, health insurance and future visa renewals.

3. Join a licensed real estate brokerage

The employing company should hold the correct activity for the type of work the agent will perform. The brokerage will normally support or manage the employee’s professional registration.

Before accepting an offer, candidates should verify the company’s licence and discuss:

• Whether the role is salaried, commission-only or a combination
• The commission split and payment timing
• Visa and insurance responsibility
• Training and examination costs
• Broker-card issuance and renewal costs
• Property portal and advertising access
• Lead ownership and client-data rules
• Probation, targets and notice requirements

DLD provides online services for checking licensed brokers, electronic cards, licences and permits. e 1:** An expatriate sales professional accepts a commission-only role without checking who pays the visa, training and broker-card costs. The candidate later discovers that these amounts will be recovered from future commissions. A written cost and commission schedule before joining would have made the financial position clearer.

4. Complete the appropriate professional training

Training is intended to build knowledge of Dubai property procedures, brokerage responsibilities, transaction documentation, professional conduct and regulatory expectations.

DLD operates an official training and certification platform. It also explains that course completion and the broker examination are separate processes for relevant categories. es should confirm the current course name, provider, language, schedule, delivery method and fee directly through the official system. They should study the latest materials rather than relying only on unofficial practice questions or outdated online videos.

5. Pass the real estate broker examination

The broker examination assesses whether the candidate understands the rules and procedures that apply to real estate brokerage in Dubai.

Preparation should cover practical transaction processes, broker obligations, sales and leasing documentation, professional ethics, advertising controls and relationships between owners, buyers, landlords and tenants.

DLD currently lists the broker examination fee as AED 700, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. An additional ERES charge of AED 50 plus VAT is also shown on the professional-card service page. Fees should be reconfirmed before payment. examination exemptions are listed for specified categories, including individuals above 55, brokers with five consecutive years in the same real estate office and certain start-up licence holders. Applicants should not claim an exemption without confirmation through DLD. btain a Dubai Police good conduct certificate

DLD lists a good conduct certificate issued by Dubai Police as a condition for the professional practice card. icant’s personal information should be consistent across the passport, residence records, Emirates ID, employment documents and Trakheesi application. Differences in spelling, expired identification or incomplete records can delay processing.

7. Apply for the professional practice card through Trakheesi

The online process generally involves creating or accessing a Trakheesi account, selecting the service, entering the required information, uploading documents, submitting the application and paying the applicable fees.

After approval and payment, the professional card is issued electronically and can be printed or accessed through the system. DLD states that a person may not practise the licensed activity before registration and issuance of the relevant card. e 2:** A new agent begins posting property advertisements immediately after passing the examination. The professional card has not yet been issued, and the advertisements have not followed the brokerage’s permit process. Passing the exam does not by itself authorise brokerage or advertising activity.

Which documents should an applicant prepare?

The exact requirements depend on the activity and the applicant’s profile. A practical preparation file may include:

• Passport copy
• UAE residence visa or residency details
• Emirates ID copy
• Recent personal photograph
• Training or qualification certificate
• Broker examination result
• Dubai Police good conduct certificate
• Employment and brokerage details
• Company trade licence information
• Sponsor or employer documentation where required
• No-objection certificate where applicable
• Consistent contact and identity information

DLD’s current professional-card page specifically lists a personal photograph and Emirates ID, together with activity-specific supporting documents. Additional conditions are listed for particular professional categories. ts should obtain the final checklist from the live service portal rather than relying only on a general article or third-party adviser.

How much does a Dubai real estate broker licence cost?

The total cost depends on the applicant’s visa position, training provider, examination, good conduct certificate, professional card and employer arrangements. Company formation costs are separate and can include commercial licensing, office premises, staffing, visas, systems, marketing and regulatory approvals.

For an individual broker, DLD currently lists:

• AED 500 for issuing a real estate broker card
• AED 700 for the broker examination
• AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee for the examination
• AED 50 plus VAT for the listed ERES charge
• Additional knowledge and innovation fees where shown by the service

These amounts do not necessarily include training, visa processing, Emirates ID, medical testing, police clearance, insurance or brokerage administration costs. es should request a written breakdown from the employer before paying or agreeing to deductions from commission.

How long does the licensing process take?

The final electronic service may be processed quickly after a complete and compliant application is submitted. The full journey usually takes longer because residency, Emirates ID, training availability, examination scheduling, police clearance and company registration must be completed first.

DLD lists a service time of five minutes for the professional practice card service once the application reaches the relevant online stage. This should not be treated as the complete time required to become employment-ready. ts should avoid committing to a start date or expected commission income until the professional card is active.

How is a Dubai broker card renewed?

A broker must maintain an active professional card while practising. Renewal is handled through Trakheesi or the available DLD service channel, with the required documents, annual assessment and online payment.

DLD currently lists AED 500 for renewing a broker card, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. It also states that applicants must pass the required annual test and that sales personnel must hold valid cards. dity of the card is linked to the validity of the associated trade licence. Brokers and companies should therefore monitor both expiry dates and avoid leaving renewal until the final days.

Can you open your own real estate brokerage in Dubai?

Yes, but opening a brokerage is a company-licensing project rather than an individual broker-card application. The owner must select the correct legal structure and activity, obtain commercial approval, complete DLD or RERA requirements and register the professionals who will perform regulated work.

DLD’s real estate licensing service includes sales and purchase brokerage, leasing brokerage, consultancy, mortgage brokerage, property management and several other property-related activities. The correct activity should be selected according to what the company will actually do. ss owner should consider:

• Mainland or eligible free-zone structure
• Permitted real estate activities
• Ownership and management requirements
• Office and tenancy arrangements
• Residence visas and employment contracts
• Professional cards for agents
• Advertising and Trakheesi permit procedures
• Client records and document controls
• Accounting, invoicing and commission reconciliation
• UAE Corporate Tax and VAT obligations where applicable
• Banking readiness and working capital

The owner should confirm the activity before signing a lease, recruiting agents or launching marketing.

What common mistakes delay or weaken an application?

Treating the training certificate as the final licence

Course completion is only one stage. The examination, company registration, good conduct requirement and professional card must also be addressed.

Starting work before the broker card is active

An employment offer or exam result does not replace the professional card.

Joining a brokerage without checking its licence

Candidates should verify the company and understand which activities it is authorised to perform.

Using inconsistent personal information

Different name spellings or expired identification can create avoidable delays.

Ignoring advertising approval requirements

Property marketing is regulated. Agents should follow their brokerage’s permit, content and recordkeeping procedures.

Relying on old fee information

Government fees, training prices and administrative requirements can change.

Focusing only on potential commission

New agents should calculate visa costs, insurance, transport, mobile expenses, portal access, lead-generation costs and the period before the first commission is received.

How can KPM Global Services UAE (https://kpmglobal.ae/en) assist?

KPM Global Services UAE (https://kpmglobal.ae/en) can support investors and entrepreneurs who are evaluating the establishment of a real estate brokerage or related consultancy activity in Dubai.

Depending on the proposed business model, assistance may include:

• Comparing suitable company structures
• Reviewing the proposed licensed activities
• Coordinating business setup documentation
• Supporting visa and administrative preparation
• Establishing Accounting and invoicing processes
• Assessing VAT and UAE Corporate Tax considerations
• Preparing Financial forecasts and operating budgets
• Organising payroll and recordkeeping procedures
• Supporting banking-readiness documentation

Professional assistance does not guarantee licence approval, examination success or a particular regulatory outcome. Final decisions remain with the relevant UAE authorities.

What should applicants do before proceeding?

Start by deciding whether the objective is employment as an agent or ownership of a brokerage. Then verify the current activity, training, examination, residency, document and card requirements directly with DLD and the proposed employer.

Do not begin regulated work merely because a course has been completed or a job offer has been signed. The professional card and company registration should be active first.

For business owners, early attention to licensing, Tax, Financial planning, Accounting records, commission controls and banking documentation can reduce operational problems after launch. KPM Global Services UAE (https://kpmglobal.ae/en) can help structure these preparations around the proposed Dubai business model.

This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice.