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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai

  • Chloe Clark
  • Aug 27
  • 3 min read

Dubai is the most aggressive real estate marketplace in the region—and the pie is huge. H1 2025 clocked AED 431B in transactions, up 25% YoY. Brokers executed 42,181 deals and captured AED 3.23B in commissions in just six months. If you’re good, there’s room to win. If you’re average, the city will eat you alive. Government of Dubai Media OfficeKhaleej Times


The Straight Path: What You Must Have

  • A sponsoring brokerage (ORN) — You can’t freelance. Your Broker (practice) Card is tied to a company trade licence, and you’re not allowed to practice without it. Dubai Land Department

  • Emirates ID + residency — Needed for training, exam, and your broker card. Dubai Land Department+1

  • Clean record + RERA exam — Dubai Police Good Conduct Certificate and a passed annual brokers’ exam are required for the card. Dubai Land Department


Step-by-Step (What actually happens)

  1. Join a licensed brokerage


    Your employer’s ORN anchors your eligibility. Card validity is linked to the company’s trade licence. Translation: no licence, no practice. Dubai Land Department

  2. Register for the DREI/RERA broker training


    Expect 4–5 days of instruction (online or in-person). Typical course fees run ~AED 2,400–3,000 depending on provider. DrivenPropertiesReal Estate Training Institute

  3. Take the Brokers’ Exam


    DLD’s training portal lists the Real Estate Brokerage Exam; the current published fee is around AED 772.5. Providers often quote ~AED 500–700. Either way: study, don’t wing it. Dubai Land DepartmentDrivenProperties

  4. Apply for your Broker (Practice) Card on Trakheesi


    Upload your photo + Emirates ID, confirm you passed the exam, and hold a Good Conduct Certificate. Issuance fee: AED 500 (+ AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation). Once approved, the e-card can be issued in minutes. Dubai Land Department

  5. Know the marketing rules on day one


    Every property ad requires a DLD advertising permit (per channel), and the QR code regime applies. Budget AED 1,000 per permit (+ fees). Break this and you’ll rack up fines fast. Dubai Land

    Department+1

What It Costs (lean estimate)

Market Reality Check (so you don’t kid yourself)

  • Competition is fierce: DLD reports thousands of active brokers and brokerage offices—the funnel is crowded and fast-moving. Dubai Land Department

  • But the upside is real: With transaction values at AED 431B in H1 2025, even a sliver of market share pays. Government of Dubai Media Office


How to Get Traction in 90 Days (the Curzon way)

  • Start in leasing to learn velocity (inventory turns faster; you’ll sharpen your qualification and negotiation quickly).

  • Own a micro-farm: one community, one buyer/investor persona. Depth beats breadth here.

  • Operate permit-first: every ad with a permit + QR code, zero exceptions. We play clean. Dubai Land Department

  • Data-led prospecting: pull weekly transfer data and price movements; every viewing and WhatsApp message references the numbers, not adjectives. (Dubai’s regulators are actively policing ads—accuracy is a moat.) Dubai Land Department


Compliance Cheat-Sheet

  • Practice card before practice — illegal to operate without it. Dubai Land Department

  • Form A signed with the landlord before marketing; permits linked to that contract. Dubai Land Department

  • Ad permit per channel (portal, print, outdoor, etc.). Budget it into every mandate. Dubai Land Department

  • Public verification: clients can validate your card and permits via DLD’s service. Use it in your pitch for trust. Dubai Land Department


The Opportunity—By the Numbers

  • Transaction value: AED 431B (H1 2025)

  • Broker commissions: AED 3.23B (H1 2025)

  • Active ecosystem: thousands of brokers and 1K+ brokerage offices


    Dubai isn’t slowing down—but standards are rising. If you execute professionally and market transparently, you’ll scale. If you cut corners, you’ll be filtered out. Government of Dubai Media OfficeKhaleej TimesGulf Business

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