Power of Attorney Types in Dubai: Which Do You Need? | E-Notary Dubai

General, Special, Real Estate, Bank, Court POA in Dubai — understanding each type and the correct format for each authority.

15 January 2025· Updated Jan 2026

Why Format Matters More Than Content in Dubai POAs

The most common reason Powers of Attorney are rejected in Dubai is incorrect format — not incorrect content. Every authority has its own format requirement: Dubai Land Department requires Dubai Courts bilingual format; MOHRE and federal ministries require Federal Ministry of Justice format; banks require their own compliance-approved format; and Dubai Courts require court-specific format. A POA drafted in the wrong format will be rejected at the counter on the spot.

General POA vs Special POA — Key Differences

A General POA grants broad authority to the agent for most legal, financial and administrative matters and is valid for 2 years unless otherwise specified. A Special (Limited) POA restricts the agent to one specific transaction — once that transaction is complete, the POA automatically becomes void. Dubai Land Department, banks and courts generally prefer Special POAs because they limit the risk of misuse. Always choose Special POA when the purpose is clearly defined.

Common Types of Special POA in Dubai

Common Special POA types in Dubai: Real Estate POA (buy, sell, mortgage or manage a specific property at DLD); Banking POA (operate a specific bank account at Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB, Mashreq or other UAE banks); Vehicle POA (sell, export or register a vehicle at RTA); Court POA (represent in a specific case before Dubai Courts or RDC); Company Formation POA (incorporate or manage a company); and Child Travel Consent POA (allow a child to travel internationally with one parent). Each type requires a different format — we confirm the correct format before drafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technically yes, but DLD often requires the specific property to be explicitly named in the POA. If your General POA does not name the property, DLD may reject it and require a new Special POA specifically for that property.

Yes. A Special POA becomes void the moment the specific transaction it authorizes is completed. For example, a POA to sell a specific property becomes void the moment that sale is registered at DLD.