- Benefits of a UAE Real Estate Career
- How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai
- Renewing Broker Licence
- FAQs
Dubai’s stunning architecture, state-of-the-art developments and gorgeous skylines can tempt many people to become a part of the city’s real estate industry. If you have good communication skills and get a rush from closing a deal, a career as a real estate agent in Dubai might be right for you. But how do you go about it? Read on as we share our step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent in Dubai.
Why Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai?
To start off, there are several good reasons to become a real estate agent/broker/realtor in the UAE. First, you will be working with one of the most expensive assets in the market: property.
If you have the right sales and negotiation skills and the passion to build a good reputation, this can translate into a good amount of commission, over and above your basic salary.
Second, being a real estate agent is an exciting career choice as you have the chance to help people find their dream homes (or dream offices, for that matter). In addition to this, it’s an engaging job where you have the opportunity to meet with a diverse, multicultural client portfolio.
Of course, becoming one of the highly regarded and successful real estate brokers in Dubai is no easy feat. It is a competitive industry, so be prepared to work hard, regularly engage with customers and learn to identify their needs.
You should also be aware that some brokerage firms hire realtors as independent contractors on a commission-only basis, while others offer a basic pay-plus-commission structure. But even in this case, most of the agent’s income usually comes from commissions.
Wondering how to be a real estate agent in Dubai? While the process has many layers, and successful agents take years to build a strong portfolio of prospective buyers and tenants, the basic approach to becoming a real estate agent in Dubai starts with applying for your broker’s license.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai
Step 1 – Obtain a Residency Visa (For Expats)
The first step to becoming a property dealer in Dubai is to obtain a residency permit under your real estate agency. In Dubai, you cannot be a freelance real estate agent. You must be an employee of a registered real estate brokerage to apply for a Brokers Permit.
Apply for job opportunities with real estate agencies in Dubai hiring for real estate agent roles – either through LinkedIn, dubizzle (jobs), Bayt, or company sites. If you’ve been shortlisted and called for an interview, make sure you check about getting a visa.
UAE citizens and GCC nationals can easily sign up for the licensing process. Expats, however, need to have a valid residency visa to apply for a job as a realtor in Dubai. You either get a work visa in Dubai from your employer or a residency visa sponsored by your spouse who is working in Dubai.
Please note if you are under a spousal residency visa, you will require a work permit from the real estate agency.
You will also need your Emirates ID, which comes with becoming a resident of the UAE. If you’re new to the country, here’s a detailed guide on the uses and benefits of Emirates ID.
Step 2 – Obtain the Brokers License
Once you have received your UAE residency, you will have to pass the Real Estate Brokerage Exam to receive a Brokers Licence. This license is mandatory to sell properties in the secondary market. Real estate agents selling off-plan properties or leasing agents do not require this permit.
To take the exam, one must attend a four-day course by the DREI (Dubai Real Estate Institute), which helps individuals understand the laws, regulations, and best practices for working in the industry. Both the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) have approved this course, and it can be taken online. The fee for this course is AED 3,000.
The next step is to take the exam, which quizzes you on the laws and regulations that govern the Dubai real estate industry. The fee for this exam is AED 3,200 if you have a bachelor’s degree and AED 6,300 for non-degree holders.
If you’re thinking about getting a bachelor’s degree first, you can check out the list of degree courses for real estate enthusiasts to have a stronger foundation before starting your career in the industry.
Once you pass the exam, you need to get a Police Clearance Certificate to apply for your Dubai Broker license. Available on the Dubai Police website, it costs AED 200 and takes around two days to be processed.
Once this is received, your agency’s admin team will apply for your Brokers License on the Trakheesi portal. They will submit the police clearance certificate, proof of completion of the course at DREI and the passing of the exam. After this, the Economic Department will issue your broker licence and card. Registered real estate brokerages have an account on the DLD site to be able to access the Trakheesi portal and apply on your behalf – using your newly received Emirates ID with a residence visa.
You will receive your credentials (Trakheesi login) and your Brokers License within one or two days after you submit all the required documents. You have to renew your licence one month before the expiry date to avoid any penalties by the issuing authority.
How to Renew Your Real Estate Agent License in Dubai
Brokers license renewal services are available on the Trakheesi portal. You will have to take a test by RERA and pass it with an 85% or higher score, and apply for a Police Clearance certificate once again to do this.
Note that if you fail to apply for renewal within the due date, your licence could be subject to cancellation, or you will be required to take the training course once again.
To summarise, the documents required for the renewal process include the following:
- Copy of valid passport with file/residence permit
- Personal photo
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of passing the RERA test
The renewal fee is AED 510.
If you plan on changing agencies, you will have to cancel your broker’s License and apply for a new one after you receive your new residency visa from the new agency. Remember, you must submit proof of cancellation of your previous Brokers License to receive the new one.
Once you kick-start your career in real estate, it’s important to continue staying committed to learning and personal development to succeed in the long term. Check out workshops at Bayut Academy to learn the skills needed to accelerate your career and how to be the best real estate agent possible. You can also explore other courses for real estate agents in Dubai
FAQs about how to become a real estate agent in Dubai
How can I cancel my real estate broker’s licence?
You have to submit an application in the Trakheesi system. There are no cancellation charges.
Do expats need to complete a certain residency period to obtain the licence?
Expats can enrol in the licensing process as soon as they obtain their residency permit. There is no specified period of residency that they have to complete.
What is the minimum age for getting a real estate broker’s license?
While you do not require a university degree to apply for the licence, you must be at least 21 years old to become a qualified real estate agent in the UAE.
This concludes our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Dubai. Remember that the toughest part of the process begins after you get your licence. Success in the competitive real estate market of the UAE requires more than just credentials.
And, of course, you can always sign up with the Bayut Academy and attend highly-rated workshops for real estate professionals on key skills like communication, time management, sales and negotiation.
