How to Get a Real Estate Agent License in Dubai (2026)

To get a real estate agent license in Dubai, you need to follow the correct route for your role. If you want to work for an existing brokerage, you must meet the applicable professional requirements and obtain the required broker card. If you want to open your own real estate company, you also need the appropriate business licence and real estate activity approval.

The important point is that a training certificate alone does not authorise you to work as a broker. Dubai Land Department (DLD), through its Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), requires the relevant professional registration and card before a person can practise the regulated activity.

This guide explains the process, published fees, training, exam, documents and renewal. It also separates the cost of an individual broker card from the cost of opening a brokerage company.

Dubai Real Estate Agent Licence

The current requirements and fee components are published through DLD's professional practice card service.

Real Estate Agent Licence vs Brokerage Company Licence

Before applying, understand which licence you actually need.

An individual real estate broker is the person who handles property transactions. A real estate brokerage company is the licensed business through which brokerage services are provided.

This distinction matters because many online guides combine the cost of opening a company with the cost of obtaining an individual broker card.

If your goal is to get a job as a real estate agent, you should not assume that you need to pay for an entire brokerage-company setup.

If your goal is to start your own real estate agency, the individual card alone is not enough. DLD's real estate licensing service covers activities including sales and purchase brokerage and leasing brokerage.

Who Can Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai?

The requirements depend on whether you are applying as an employee, manager, partner, or business owner.

For an individual joining a brokerage, the main matters to check are the applicable qualification, professional exam, identity documents, residency and employment arrangements, and the required broker registration.

DLD also requires a certificate of good conduct issued by Dubai Police for the professional-card application.

Before paying for training, ask the brokerage to confirm which documents and qualifications apply to your particular situation.

Can Foreigners Become Real Estate Agents in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign nationals can work in Dubai's real estate brokerage sector, subject to the applicable requirements.

However, working for a brokerage and owning an independent brokerage business are different matters.

If you want to open your own company, confirm the current ownership, licensing and manager requirements before paying setup fees. Do not assume that the employee route automatically allows you to operate an independent brokerage.

How to Get a Real Estate Agent License in Dubai: Step by Step

Step 1: Decide Whether You Want to Join an Agency or Open Your Own

If you want to work as an agent, speak to an established brokerage about its hiring requirements, training, exam, residency arrangements, and broker-card application.

If you want to start a company, confirm the business-licensing route first.

This decision affects both the process and the costs involved.

Step 2: Complete the Applicable Real Estate Training

Dubai Land Department provides real estate training through its official training services.

DLD's current training guidance says the training is conducted in English and that a course-completion certificate is issued. It also explains that professional exams are separate for certain categories, including brokers.

That means finishing a course and passing the broker exam are not the same thing.

You can check the available programmes through DLD's training service.

The current training page does not establish one fixed course price for every applicant. Confirm the course, schedule, and fee before booking.

Step 3: Pass the Applicable Broker Exam

DLD's professional-card service lists a broker exam and the relevant professional test requirements.

The currently published broker exam fee is AED 700, plus AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee. An ERES charge is also listed separately.

Do not rely on an old article that quotes a different exam price or assumes every applicant pays the same amount.

Check the current requirements through the DLD broker-card issuance service.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

The exact documents depend on your application route.

DLD's professional-card service lists a personal photograph and Emirates ID among the required documents. Its conditions also include a Dubai Police certificate of good conduct.

Your brokerage may need additional identity, residency or employment documents to complete your registration.

Ask the agency or licensing authority for the exact list before submitting the application.

Step 5: Apply Through Trakheesi

Once the applicable requirements are complete, the professional-card application is submitted through Trakheesi, DLD's real estate licensing system.

The process involves entering the required information, uploading documents, submitting the application and paying the applicable fees after approval.

The approved e-card can then be issued through the system.

You can access the process through DLD's professional practice card service.

Step 6: Confirm Your Registration Before Starting Work

Do not present yourself as a licensed broker simply because you completed training or passed an exam.

Make sure the relevant professional card has been issued and your details are correctly registered.

You can check broker information through the DLD Licensed Real Estate Brokers directory.

How Much Does a Real Estate Agent License Cost in Dubai?

The answer depends on whether you mean an individual broker card or a full brokerage-company licence.

Individual Broker Fees

DLD's current professional-card service lists the following fee components:

These are published fee components, not a guaranteed all-inclusive cost for every applicant.

Your actual amount may also depend on training, residency arrangements, and who pays the costs under your employment agreement.

Before paying, request a written breakdown of the course, exam, card, and any other charges.

n't assume the employee route automatically lets you

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Real Estate Brokerage in Dubai?

Opening a brokerage company is a different process from obtaining an individual agent card.

DLD's real estate licensing service lists AED 5,000 as the annual fee for “other activities”, together with AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees.

However, this is not the total cost of opening a brokerage company.

A full setup may also involve the relevant trade licence, business premises, staff, immigration arrangements, and other applicable costs.

The official process requires the business-licensing application through the relevant Dubai authority and registration through DLD's Trakheesi system. Free-zone applications may require additional approvals.

For the current process, use the DLD real estate licensing application.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate Broker License?

There is no single reliable number of days for every applicant.

DLD lists five minutes as the service time for issuing a professional card, but that is the processing time for the card service—not the time needed to complete training, pass the exam, arrange residency and prepare documents.

Similarly, the company-licensing service lists a one-working-day service time, but that does not mean an entire brokerage business can always be established in one day.

Your actual timeline depends on your starting position and whether all requirements are already complete.

How to Renew a Real Estate Broker Card in Dubai

A broker card is not something you obtain once and ignore.

DLD states that the card's validity is linked to the validity of the relevant trade licence. Its renewal service also requires the applicable annual professional test.

The current published renewal fee is AED 500, plus AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees.

Renewal is handled through Trakheesi, and the official service also identifies Dubai REST as a channel.

Check your card's expiry and complete the required renewal steps before continuing to practise.

You can review the DLD broker-card renewal requirements.

What Is a BRN in Dubai Real Estate?

BRN means Broker Registration Number. It is used to identify an individual real estate broker.

A brokerage company has separate business and office registration information. The individual broker's identity should not be confused with the company's licence.

If you are applying for a job, ask the agency how your professional registration will be completed.

If you are a buyer or seller, ask the agent for their BRN and check it through the official DLD directory.

How to Check a Real Estate Agent Licence in Dubai

Use the Licensed Real Estate Brokers directory and compare the broker's name, registration details and current agency information.

You can also use DLD's E-card verification service when checking a professional card.

A social media profile, business card or property advertisement is not a replacement for official verification.

What Should You Know Before Starting Your Real Estate Career?

Getting the licence is only the beginning. The work also involves understanding property transactions, communicating with clients and following the rules that apply to your brokerage activity.

Before accepting a role, ask the agency about salary or commission arrangements, who pays for training and registration, residency sponsorship, the properties you will handle, how leads are assigned and who is responsible for renewal.

Do not assume every real estate job offers a fixed salary or that commission income is guaranteed. Ask for the employment terms in writing.

Advertising Property Is a Separate Compliance Matter

A broker card does not automatically mean every advertisement can be published without further requirements.

DLD has a separate real estate advertising permit service, which covers electronic advertisements and other promotional activities.

Before publishing a listing, confirm that the property, owner authorisation and required advertising permit are in order.

AR Empires for Real Estate Professionals

AR Empires allows property professionals to create public profiles and manage their marketplace presence across available markets.

If you are building your career, you can explore the AR Empires agent directory to understand how professional profiles, specialisations and property listings are presented.

If you operate a brokerage, the agency directory shows how companies can present their teams and property portfolios.

AR Empires does not issue Dubai real estate licences or replace DLD/RERA registration. Its Verification Standards explain that platform verification does not replace official licensing or transaction checks.

Final Thoughts

If you want to become a real estate agent in Dubai, start by deciding whether you want to join an existing brokerage or open your own company. That decision changes the licensing process and the costs involved.

For an individual agent, the practical route is to complete the required qualification, pass the applicable exam, prepare the documents, and obtain the professional card through the correct DLD process.

For a company owner, business licensing comes first, followed by the relevant real estate registration and professional requirements.

Before paying anyone for a “complete RERA licence package,” ask exactly what is included. Training, exam, broker card, trade licence, and residency are not interchangeable costs.

This article is for general information only. Licensing requirements, fees and procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with Dubai Land Department and the relevant business-licensing authority before applying or making payment.