- Why become a broker?
- Step 1 – Residency Visa
- Step 2 – DREI Training
- Step 3 – RERA Exam
- Step 4 – Licence
- Renewing your licence
- FAQs
Due to the city’s glorious skyline, amazing engineering marvels and state-of-the-art developments, lots of people are keen 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 just be right for you. But how do you go about it? In today’s blog post, we provide you with a 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 work hard 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 interesting career choice as you have the chance to help people find their dream homes (or dream offices, for that matter). 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’s a competitive industry, so be prepared to work hard, engage regularly 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, the bulk of the agent’s income usually comes from commissions.
Are you 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 process to become a real estate agent in Dubai, starts with the training modules organised by DREI. Once you have completed the classes, you will need to successfully pass the exam and obtain the license required to operate as a property dealer in Dubai.
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.
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. You will also need your Emirates ID. If you’re new to the country, we also have a detailed guide on how you can apply for Emirates ID.
Step 2 – Apply for DREI Certified Training
Once you have the visa, the next step to becoming a real estate agent in Dubai is to sign up for the training with Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI). Known as the Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers, the four-day course aims to give you the necessary insight into the region’s real estate industry.
The course is approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), which is the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department (DLD). You can read about RERA, DLD and other key industry entities on MyBayut as well.
The certification course will further delve into the role of these government bodies. The various modules covered in the DREI training for real estate agents in Dubai include:
- History and Development
- The Business of a Broker
- Concepts, Definitions and Market Players
- Sales Processes and Agreements
- Leasing Process and Rental Agreements
- Code of Ethics
- Introduction to Owner’s Associations
- Legal Module
- Essential Skills
You can take the classes at the RERA agent registration training centre at DLD, or online. In either case, don’t forget to take notes, understand the process and revisit any material that you need to.
- Location: Dubai Land Department, Baniyas Road, Deira
- Contact: +971-4-203-0456
- Timings: Sunday till Thursday 07:30 am to 02:30 pm
The course by DREI to become a real estate agent in Dubai costs AED 3,000. The documents required to sign up for the course include your Emirates ID and a copy of residency visa.
Step 3 – Take the RERA Exam
Once you complete the four-day training, you will have to appear for a written RERA registration exam. For bachelor degree holders, the exam fee is AED 3,200 while applicants without a bachelor’s degree have to pay AED 6,300. The test is easy, provided that you have covered the contents of the certification course well.
This also means that you don’t require a bachelor’s degree to qualify for a real estate broker’s licence. Of course, having a degree in a relevant field (such as business or economics) improves your career trajectory in the long run. We have also provided you with a list of courses and degrees that can further help you become a successful real estate agent.
Step 4 – Obtain the Realtor Licence
Once you clear the exam, you will be on your way to get a realtor licence for working as a real estate agent in Dubai. An additional requirement for getting a broker’s licence is a certificate of good conduct.
Once you meet these requirements, the Economic Department will issue your broker licence and card. You will receive your credentials 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 Licence in Dubai
To renew your licence, you need to take the RERA agent registration exam once again and score at least 85%. Once you clear the exam, you can complete the renewal process online.
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.
Documents required for the renewal process include:
- Copy of valid passport with file/residence permit
- Personal photo
- Certificate of qualification
Real estate agent licence renewal fee is AED 510.
FAQs
How can I cancel my real estate broker’s licence?
You have to submit an application in the Trakheesi (MyLicense) system. There are no cancellation charges.
Do expats need to complete a certain period of residency 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 need to 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 the credentials.
If you want to keep yourself updated with the latest announcements from the property market, read about the new real estate laws in the UAE introduced after H.H. Sheikh Mohammed’s letter.
And of course, you can always sign up with the Bayut Academy, where we run highly-rated workshops for real estate professionals on key skills like communication, time management, sales and negotiation.
