General Power of Attorney UAE | POA Services in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
A general power of attorney (GPOA) in the UAE is an important and powerful legal document authorizing an attorney to act on behalf of the principal in various matters, such as financial, business, or administrative transactions.
The appointed attorney has the authority to manage bank accounts, properties and sign contracts in the absence of the principal. Appointing a trusted general power of attorney for this matter is stringent, as it involves very special and important documents to work with. If misused, it can cause severe civil and criminal consequences under federal laws, including the UAE Penal Code.
Why is a general power of attorney important in the UAE?
A general power of attorney (GPOA) in the UAE is important for authorizing a trusted agent to handle broad legal, financial, and business matters when the principal is unavailable, due to travelling, illness, incapacity, being busy or living abroad.
There are general power of attorney and specific power of attorney; both carry the same function, but the requirements can vary according to the needs of the individual. While a general can be used for broad powers, specific power of attorney is limited to certain tasks.
Key Benefits of General Power of Attorney:
A General Power of Attorney enables efficient management of bank accounts, property transactions, contracts, company incorporation, and government representations, saving time.
These benefits expats, entrepreneurs and others who are living abroad and can’t make it at the required time. A General Power of Attorney provides legal flexibility and security through notarization, preventing delays in the UAE’s busy environment. For non-residents or busy professionals, GPOAs ensure seamless transactions while maintaining control via revocability.
What are the key considerations for a General Power of Attorney?
Because of its wide scope, a general power of attorney (GPOA) in the United Arab Emirates necessitates careful design that balances convenience with dangers, including potential misuse.
Here are some of the key considerations to be taken:
Legal Age: Both Principal and Agent must generally be over 21.
Witnesses: Two witnesses (not immediate family) with ID may be required for signing.
Specific Powers: Ensure the POA clearly lists the powers granted (e.g., property, financial, vehicle).
Agent Selection
Choose a trustworthy agent with legal capacity, a sound mind, and ideally shared interests; avoid broad grants without monitoring mechanisms. For businesses, ensure shareholders (not managers), authorize as per MOA rules.
Scope and Clarity
Define powers precisely (e.g., financial, property, litigation) in bilingual Arabic-English drafts to prevent ambiguity or rejection by authorities like Dubai Courts. Exclude unlawful acts and specify the duration for control.
Legal Formalities
Ensure notarization via public notary or e-services, with valid ID documents; non-residents need attestations. Include revocation clauses and plan notifications to banks or registries.
Documents required for a general Power of Attorney
For Individuals:
- Principal’s ID: Valid Emirates ID (for residents) and/or passport (with visa pages).
- Agent’s ID: Valid Emirates ID and/or passport.
- Supporting Docs (If Applicable): Marriage certificate (for spousal POAs), property documents (for real estate POAs).
- Photographs: Sometimes passport-sized photos are needed, especially for attestation.
For Businesses:
- Trade license copy
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Board resolution authorizing the signatory (if multi-director)
- Passport/Emirates ID of shareholders
- Authorized signatory and agent.
Additional corporate documents, like Articles of Association, may apply to complex cases
Difference between General Power of Attorney and Special Power of Attorney
General and special powers of attorney (POAs) in the UAE differ primarily in scope, duration, and application, with general POAs granting broad authority and special POAs limiting powers to specific tasks.
Scope of Authority
General POA authorizes the agent to handle wide-ranging matters like financial transactions, contracts, bank management, and business operations across multiple areas. Special POA restricts authority to one defined task, such as selling a specific property or signing a single contract.
Duration and Termination
General POA remains valid until revoked, the principal dies, or a set expiry occurs (often 1-3 years per emirate rules). Special POA expires automatically upon task completion or the specified date.
Risk and Usage
General POA carries a higher misuse risk due to extensive powers, suiting long-term absences or expats; special POA offers lower risk for targeted needs like isolated real estate deals. Both require notarization, but special POAs demand precise task details for acceptance by authorities like the Dubai Land Department.
Required steps to register a POA with the UAE authorities
Registering a general power of attorney (GPOA) with UAE authorities primarily involves notarization, which serves as the official “registration” process, rather than a separate filing step for general use. Subsequent registration occurs with specific entities like the Dubai Land Department or banks only if the POA relates to those activities.
Notarization Steps
Prepare a bilingual (Arabic-English) POA draft detailing powers granted, then visit a Notary Public office or use online platforms like Dubai Courts e-Notary via UAE Pass. Submit ID documents (Emirates ID/passport for principal and agent), pay fees (based on type), undergo identity verification (in-person or video), sign digitally or manually, and receive the notarized document via email or collection—typically within hours.
Authority-Specific Registration
For property matters, register the notarized POA with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) online or in person using the DLD portal, uploading the POA and paying fees. Business POAs may need filing with the Department of Economic Development (DED); courts or banks require direct submission with copies. Non-residents must first attest foreign documents at the UAE Embassy before local notarization
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Thus, Index Legal Translation provides support for a Power of Attorney that is required for your personal, business or any other requirement. With certified translators and a licensed professional team, we provide services that can extend the terms and trust for our clients.
Contact Index Legal Translation for Power of Attorney services, check out our website to get more details about Notary Services in Abu Dhabi, Notary Public and other legal translation services in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I revoke a general POA in the UAE immediately?
To revoke a general power of attorney (GPOA) in the UAE immediately, draft a formal revocation document, notarize it via a public notary or online platforms like Dubai Courts e-Notary, and notify the agent plus relevant parties
Step-by-Step Process
Draft a revocation notice, including the original POA details (date, reference, names) and your intent to cancel; use templates from legal providers. Notarize in person at a Notary Public office with Emirates ID or passport, or online via Dubai Courts e-Notary using UAE Pass for electronic signing and approval. The revocation takes effect immediately upon notarization
- How long does a General POA remain valid in the UAE?
A general power of attorney (GPOA) in the UAE remains valid indefinitely unless a specific expiry date is stated in the document itself. It terminates automatically upon the principal’s death, incapacity, revocation, or replacement with a new POA.
Many authorities impose practical limits: Dubai Land Department caps property-related GPOAs at 2 years, while Abu Dhabi limits them to 1 year or general POAs to 3 years. For broader general authority, principals often include 2-5 year terms for periodic review and renewal.
- How to attest a UAE-notarized POA for use abroad?
First, submit the original UAE-notarized POA to MOFA (online via their portal/app or in-person at branches like Dubai or Abu Dhabi) with a copy, pay fees (around AED 150-250), and receive the attested document within 1-3 days via courier or collection. Next, for Hague Apostille Convention countries (e.g., most EU nations, USA), obtain an Apostille from MOFA directly; non-Hague countries require further embassy/consulate legalization of the target nation
India, Canada, or Brazil often need target-country consulate attestation post-MOFA; confirm via the destination embassy in the UAE. This ensures enforceability abroad while protecting against forgery claims.