Dubai is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers and vibrant nightlife. Dubai is also an ideal investment destination for a variety of reasons. The city’s real estate market has boomed because of the massive inflow of businesses and industries. This has left many business-savvy individuals eager to become real estate brokers.

If you possess outstanding communication and sales abilities, then this is the right choice! Working as a real estate agent is an excellent career option if you are a good conversationalist and eager to learn about what people want. 

How To Become A Real Estate Agent in Dubai? Real Estate License in Dubai

real estate agent in dubai

Step 1: Obtain A Residency Visa (How to become a real estate agent in Dubai as a foreigner?)

The United Arab Emirates is a country of laws. Immigration, work permits, and visas are all governed by these regulations.

Residents and citizens of the UAE and GCC can skip this stage. However, visitors from other countries will require a valid visa to work in the UAE. This problem may be solved using two primary methods. Both of these methods are based on the principles of sponsorship.

To begin, you can obtain a visa through your business. Your company will sponsor you as the company’s employee. This will provide you with permission to work and remain in Dubai.

For those of you lucky enough to have a UAE citizen or resident as a spouse, use the 2nd method. Spousal or Family Visas are Visas in which your spouse serves as your sponsor. These Visas allow foreigners to work and live in the UAE.

After you’ve got your visa, all you have to do now is apply for and receive an Emirates ID. You may finally start the process of a fully licensed real estate broker in Dubai once you’ve completed this official process.

Step 2: Complete The Certified Training For Real Estate Brokers

The next stage after proving your legal right to reside and work in Dubai is to ensure your competency as a qualified real estate broker. The DREI, or Dubai Real Estate Institute, is the regulatory body. The DREI is in charge of providing potential brokers with the necessary training and certification to work in the local real estate industry.

It’s a four-day course aimed at equipping aspiring brokers with the knowledge they’ll need to negotiate the Dubai real estate market.

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have both authorized and accredited the course. While these regulating agencies and officials are of interest, let’s focus on the DREI’s Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers.

This 4-day course covers a wide range of topics including:

  • The historical development of Dubai’s real estate market
  • Working as a real estate broker in Dubai
  • Industry dynamics, concepts, jargon, vocabulary, and key market actors
  • Sales and procurement processes as well as legal agreements
  • Legal agreements related to property leasing and rentals
  • Ethical codes of conduct and behaviour for real estate brokers
  • An intro to various Owners’ Associations
  • General real estate law
  • Other basic skills necessary to act as a competent broker

The course can be taken in person at the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) training centre located at the Dubai Land Development (DLD) office. Nowadays, the course can also be taken online.

This page contains all of the necessary information for enrolling in the course.

Location: Dubai Land Development Office, Baniyas Road, Deira

Phone: +971-4-203-0456

Email: info@dubailand.gov.ae

Course Schedule (subject to change): Sunday – Thursday, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm

Cost: 3,000 AED (817 USD)

Your Emirate ID will be required to register for the course. Foreigners would also need to provide a copy of their residency permit.

Step 3: Complete The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) Exam

The written Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) Exam is the next step towards becoming a broker in Dubai once you have passed the 4-day DREI training. The fee for taking the exam has been reduced to 3,200 AED (872 USD) for individuals with a bachelor’s degree from a university.

If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you can still take the test, but it will cost you more money: 6,300 AED (1715 USD).

Considering your completion of the previous DREI Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers Course, the RERA exam should not be too difficult which for most candidates is an easy pass.

Step 4: Obtain Your Agent’s License

There is only one more step to becoming a fully qualified and licensed broker in Dubai after you have completed and passed the RERA exam. This will be the simplest and shortest procedure if you have a clean criminal background.

All you have to do is submit your DREI course completion certificate, confirmation of RERA Exam completion, and a good conduct certificate.

After you’ve submitted these documents, the Economic Department will approve you and issue you a Broker’s License within a few days.

Keep in mind that this license is not indefinite and must be renewed regularly.

Real Estate License Renewal Process Dubai

You must begin the renewal procedure one month before your broker’s license expiration date. You’ll have to repeat the RERA test and pass with an 85% or higher score. 

Once you have redone and passed the test, the renewal process can simply be completed online by providing these relevant documents:

  • Valid Passport and/or Residency Permit (while not necessary, it’s always good practice to provide both)
  • Personal Photo
  • Broker’s License Certification
  • The renewal fee is 510 AED (roughly 140 USD)

Remember that if you don’t start the renewal procedure one month before your license expires, you might not have enough time to finish it. As a result, you may face penalties such as fines or you might have to repeat the DREI course.  

Benefits Of Becoming A Real Estate Agent In Dubai

Now that we’ve understood, “How to become a real estate agent in Dubai?” Let’s look at the benefits that Dubai’s market offers to real estate agents.

Attractive Financial Profits

To begin with, buying property in Dubai as a foreigner or UAE resident is a very high-value opportunity. Working in sales with high-value commodities results in high-value commissions. This may result in very big and attractive financial profits, for people with the right skill set.

Meet Diverse & Multicultural Clients

The city’s diversified population is the second benefit. As a real estate broker in Dubai, you will have the opportunity to form many significant and outstanding professional relationships. These relationships include diverse and multicultural clients. 

It is incredibly rewarding to assist your customers in finding their dream residential homes, such as the nine-storey ZāZEN‌ Gardens in Al Furjan.

Excellent Architecture

Dubai’s properties are marvellous in terms of architecture, engineering, and art. Seeing or being inside one of these buildings is a fantastic experience. Imagine being a salesperson who sees and hears the same thing now and again.

However, you should be aware that many real estate companies in Dubai operate on a commission-only basis. Some companies pay a tiny basic income. However, the majority of the brokers’ lives are spent on commission. To thrive in this highly competitive business, you’ll need the skills to establish a large portfolio.

Let’s finally get into the procedure of how to become a real estate agent in Dubai for those of you who are prepared to take this leap of faith.

The bottom line is….

The career path is certainly not an easy one. However, it can be extremely rewarding with several upcoming and ongoing commercial and residential properties including ZāZEN Gardens. Good luck with your professional endeavours! 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQS)

How much do real estate agents in Dubai earn?

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Real Estate Agents typically earn a monthly salary of AED 5,000 on average.

How to become a real estate agent in Abu Dhabi?

To become a licensed real estate agent in Abu Dhabi, follow these steps:

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.
  2. Enrol in a Real Estate course.
  3. Pass the Real Estate exam conducted by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) of Abu Dhabi.
  4. Obtain a trade license from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED).
  5. Register with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  6. Find a brokerage firm registered with the DMT and holds a valid real estate license.
  7. Apply for a job and sign a contract.
  8. Complete the registration process by registering with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Regulatory Agency (ADRR) as a licensed real estate agent and obtain a broker ID card.

How to become a real estate agent in Dubai as an ex-pat?

To work as a real estate agent in Dubai, you need to have a residency visa, complete a RERA-approved training course, pass the RERA exam, and apply for a real estate agent license.

Do I have to apply for an exam to get a real estate broker license in Dubai?

Yes, you need to pass an exam to obtain a real estate broker license in Dubai. The exam is conducted by the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and covers topics such as property law, property management, and ethics.

How to become a real estate agent in Dubai for luxury properties?

The initial stage involves enrolling in a Certified Training program for Real Estate Brokers, which is available through Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI). Upon completion of the course, you will be required to pass an exam to acquire registration as a broker in Dubai.