Your Complete Guide on How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai

Dubai’s growing property market continues to attract individuals looking to invest in real estate or build a career in this lucrative industry. The year 2024 witnessed over 145,000 transactions dealing in sales or lease of property. What’s more, the tax-free nature of UAE’s market and the business-friendly environment combined with a diverse international client base result in exceptional opportunities for real estate agents.

However, the realities of UAE’s real estate market can sometimes be overwhelming. Increasing government scrutiny, and enhanced regulatory compliances are some, to name a few. Not having a comprehensive insight about the real cost of doing business has also been known to become a major obstacle.

Keeping these things in mind, this comprehensive guide provides a complete overview of how to become a real estate agent in Dubai [through the official RERA process].

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Dubai?

Dubai’s real estate market offers compelling advantages that distinguish it from other global property markets, some of which are:

1. Tax-free income structure

Real estate agents in Dubai pay zero income tax, which means every dirham you earn will be in your pockets. This allows significantly higher net earnings compared to agents in London, New York, or Sydney who lose 30-40% in taxation.

2. Diverse international market

Dubai’s multicultural environment offers the benefit of working with Emiratis, British expats, Indian entrepreneurs, Russians, and Germans across luxury penthouses, family apartments, commercial spaces, and investment properties.

3. Strong earning potential

The Dubai Land Department reports that real estate brokers earned more than AED 3.23 billion in commissions alone during the first six months of 2025, compared to AED 1.62 billion in the first half of last year. It is the eminent evidence of how lucrative the Dubai property market may become for successful agents.

4. Growing market demand

Dubai has been registering a steady housing demand as far as 2025 because one of the leading real estate surveyors revealed that the population of the city will hit 4 million by 2025. Interventions by the government, like the Golden Visa program, bring in foreign investors and make sure that the Dubai property market is sustained in terms of growth.

What are the Basic Requirements to Get a Real Estate License in Dubai?

To legally work in the property market of Dubai, one should have a real estate license given by the RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency). RERA has made it mandatory with rigid regulations that should be obeyed by all the agents, and they are:

• Age requirement: Needs to be age 21 and above.
• Educational Background: High school diploma (properly verified and attested).
• Residency Status: Valid UAE residency visa (tourist or visit visas don’t qualify).
• Character Requirements: Clean criminal record with a good conduct certificate from Dubai Police.
• Physical Presence: Must be physically residing in the UAE during the application process.

The influence of education on earning potential:

• High school graduates: AED 168,100 average annual income
• Certificate/diploma holders: AED 239,000 annually (42% increase)
• Bachelor’s degree holders: AED 327,300 annually

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai?

The RERA licensing process might seem complicated at first, but by understanding requirements and following each steps diligently. You’ll be ready to kickstart your career in one of the fastest growing property markets in the world.

Step: 1 Obtain a Residency Visa in the UAE

Before beginning the RERA licensing process, you must have a UAE residency. You can get a residency visa through:

• Employment Sponsorship: Through a UAE-based real estate company.
• Family Sponsorship: If you have eligible family members in the UAE.
• Investment Programs: Golden Visa for property investors ($550,000+ investment).
• Freelancer Permits: In designated free zones (limited real estate applications).

Note: The Residency visa applications usually can take 2-4 weeks. Keep in mind, you can’t submit RERA application till you get residency and an Emirates ID.

Confused about residency options? Stratrich’s visa specialists help real estate professionals choose the most efficient pathway for their specific situation.

Step 2: Complete DREI Mandatory Training

The next step involves completing a RERA training course through the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI). This is a legal requirement for all licensed agents regardless of previous experience. The training program specifications are:

Duration: Four consecutive instructional days.

Investment: AED 3,000 to AED 3,500.

Delivery Methods: Classroom instruction, digital learning, or combined approaches.

Language Availability: English and Arabic instruction options.

Core Learning Modules:

• UAE property legislation and regulatory framework
• Real estate business procedures and operations
• Property analysis and valuation methodologies
• Transaction procedures and contractual requirements
• Ethical standards and professional compliance guidelines

Step 3: Pass the RERA Certification Exam

After completing training, you must pass a comprehensive exam with an 85% minimum passing score. Becoming RERA-certified involves training, an exam, and licensing (1-2 months). The RERA exam structure is mentioned below:

• Format: Multiple-choice questions with practical scenario applications
• Minimum Score: 85% is required to pass the exam
• Cost: AED 700-1,200 (depending on specific license type)
• Duration: 2-3 hours for completion
• Language Options: Available in English and Arabic

Exam Content Areas are:

• Regulatory compliance procedures and requirements
• Market analysis techniques and methodologies
• Professional ethics applications and scenarios
• Transaction management processes and documentation
• Property law applications and case studies
• Client relationship management standards

Note: Retake Policy: Failed attempts require retaking the exam after additional study. This delays market entry and increases costs, making thorough preparation essential for success.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Once you pass the RERA exam, submit your license application through the Dubai Land Department with precise documentation requirements. Essential documentation are:

Note: GCs and all educational certificates have to be attested accordingly with the UAE authorities. The absence or mistakenly attested documents leads to great delays in processing.

Submission of Application: You must submit an application to obtain a RERA license to Dubai Land Department via their online portal or by going to authorized service centres.

Step 5: Join a Licensed Brokerage and Grow Your Network

Join a reputable licensed brokerage to gain hands-on experience and access property listings. At the same time, actively build your network by connecting with agents, developers, and other industry professionals through events and meetups. This combination will set a strong foundation for your real estate career.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Dubai?

Understanding the complete investment required helps you plan financially for your real estate career in Dubai. The detailed cost breakdown:

Market Specialization Options

1. Luxury Residential Market: Specializing in high-end properties offers AED 50,000-200,000+ commission potential per transaction but requires exceptional service standards and deep market knowledge.

• Off-Plan Development Sales: Working with developers provides higher commission rates (6-8% vs 2-3% for resales) and exclusive inventory access.

• Commercial Real Estate Focus: Involves larger transaction values with longer sales cycles but requires specialized knowledge of zoning regulations and commercial financing.

• Rental Market Specialization: Provides recurring income opportunities with lower per-transaction values but higher frequency.

How to renew the RERA license?

Your real estate license expires annually and requires active renewal through RERA:

• Complete 20-40 hours of continuing education.
• Pay renewal fee (AED 5,020 per activity + AED 20 fees).
• Demonstrate active real estate practice.
• Retake the RERA exam with a minimum 85% score.

How Long Does the Complete Licensing Process Take?

This timeframe includes enrolling in and completing the RERA training course (which usually takes around four days), preparing and submitting all necessary documents, and waiting for final approval from the authorities.

Conclusion

Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Dubai is not just about passing an exam, it’s an opportunity to enter one of the world’s most dynamic property markets. By understanding the RERA licensing process, meeting all legal requirements, and choosing the right market niche, you can position your career as a real estate agent in Dubai to earn rewards and gain global exposure. The journey may seem complex, but with the right guidance, it can be completed within 4-8 weeks.

If you’re eager to turn the knowledge from this guide into action, Stratrich Consulting can make that step even easier – from securing a residency visa to obtaining a RERA license.

Ready to transform your career in Dubai’s thriving real estate market? Contact Stratrich today for a detailed consultation and personalized strategy for becoming a successful real estate agent in Dubai.