A General Power of Attorney (tawkeel aam) in Dubai grants your appointed agent broad authority to act on your behalf across all legal, financial, and administrative matters. It is the most comprehensive form of POA — used primarily by expatriates managing UAE affairs from abroad, or individuals requiring continuous representation over an extended period.
What a General POA Can Authorize Your Agent to Do
- Operate and manage all your UAE bank accounts (deposits, withdrawals, transfers)
- Buy, sell, mortgage, and manage real estate at Dubai Land Department (DLD)
- Sign contracts, agreements, and legal documents on your behalf
- Represent you before all UAE authorities: MOHRE, ICA, DLD, RTA, Ministry of Justice
- File court cases and manage litigation before Dubai Courts and RDC
- Manage and operate your business — sign agreements, hire staff, renew licences
- Renew visas, residency permits, and government registrations
Critical Limitations — What Even a General POA Cannot Do
These actions require personal appearance — no POA can override them
A General POA in Dubai CANNOT authorize an agent to: gift or transfer real estate to themselves, borrow money in the principal's name, open new bank accounts (banks require the account holder in person), apply for loans or credit cards, change account ownership, or close existing accounts. Additionally, a POA automatically becomes void upon the principal's death — it cannot substitute for a Will.
When Should You Use a General POA vs a Special POA?
Use General POA when:
- Moving abroad for 6+ months and need continuous management
- Multiple ongoing transactions across different authorities
- Business owner needing a trusted manager to run operations
- Managing elderly parent's affairs on their behalf
Use Special POA when:
- One specific transaction (sell this property, operate this account)
- Limited trust or first-time agent relationship
- DLD or bank requires named property/account in POA
- Short-term need with defined start and end
A General POA is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of notarization, unless the document specifies a different validity period. The principal may revoke a General POA at any time by appearing before a UAE Notary Public. Revocation takes effect from the date of notarization of the revocation deed.
Documents Required
- 1.Original passport or Emirates ID of the Principal (person granting the POA)
- 2.Full legal name and passport/ID copy of the Agent (person receiving authority)
- 3.Description of the authority to be granted (we advise on scope)
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us for a comprehensive quote based on your specific requirements.
Most General POAs are notarized same-day when submitted before 2 PM. The document is prepared in 1–2 hours, you review the draft, then we coordinate the notary appointment. Standard turnaround is 1–2 business days.
Yes. A properly drafted General POA is accepted by all UAE government entities — DLD, MOHRE, RTA, Dubai Courts — and most banks. However, some banks prefer their own POA format. We check with your specific bank before drafting to ensure acceptance.
Same-Day Service
Contact before 2 PM for same-day processing.