General Power of Attorney in the UAE
A general power of attorney grants broad authority — the person you name can act for you across a range of matters, rather than for one specific transaction.
Before you choose it: most people do not need one
A general power of attorney is a wide grant of authority. It is the right document when someone genuinely needs to manage several of your affairs here over time — not simply because it sounds more useful than the narrower option.
For a single transaction, a special power of attorney does the job from AED 1,050, and hands over less.
We will ask what you are trying to accomplish before we prepare anything. If the narrower document does it, we will tell you.
General or special?
| General POA — From AED 1,250 | Special POA — From AED 1,050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Broad, across many matters | One defined purpose |
| Right when | Someone manages several affairs for you over time | You need one transaction completed |
| Exposure | As wide as the document is written | Limited to what it states |
When it genuinely is the right document
You are leaving the UAE and someone needs to manage your affairs here — more than one property, more than one account, matters you cannot anticipate in advance.
You own several assets here and one person handles all of them.
An ongoing arrangement, not a single transaction with an end date.
The authority receiving it requires it. Occasionally a bank or an authority asks specifically for general authority. If someone has told you that, tell us who — it affects the wording.
What goes in it — and what should not
"General" does not mean unlimited, and it should not be treated as a blank cheque. Even a broad power of attorney states what it covers, and the wording is where the real decisions are made.
We will ask you:
- What should this person be able to do?
- What should they specifically not be able to do?
- Should they be able to sell your assets, or only manage them?
- Should they be able to receive money on your behalf?
- How long should this last?
The last two questions are the ones people skip. Authority to manage and authority to sell are very different grants, and so are authority to act and authority to receive funds. You can have one without the other.
What we will ask you for
- Passport copy of the person giving authority
- Emirates ID, if they have one
- Passport copy of the person receiving authority
- A clear description of what you want that person to be able to do
The last point matters most. Authority that is too narrow leaves the document useless; authority that is too wide is a risk you do not need to take. We ask questions here on purpose.
How it works
You tell us what you need — message us and describe the situation.
We confirm your price and document list — in writing, before anything is paid.
We prepare and coordinate — including translation and submission to a licensed private notary.
You receive your notarized document — by email, 1–2 working days from the moment we have all your documents.
Processed through official UAE systems
Your document is notarized by a licensed private notary through the official judicial systems in the UAE — Dubai Courts, the Ministry of Justice, or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Nuhuj coordinates the process; the notarization is performed by the licensed notary.
Frequently asked questions
Does a general power of attorney let someone sell my property?
Only if it says so. Broad authority is not automatically authority to sell — that has to be included deliberately, and you should decide it deliberately.
Is a general power of attorney better than a special one?
Not better — wider. For a single transaction, a special power of attorney does the job with less exposure and costs less. For genuinely ongoing, multi-matter authority, a general one is the right tool.
Can I limit a general power of attorney?
Yes, and you should. Tell us what to exclude and it will be excluded.
How long does it last?
Depends on the document and its wording. Tell us how long you need it to run.
Can I revoke it?
Yes. Message us and we will explain what the revocation process involves for your document.
Do I need an Emirates ID?
Not always. Notarization through Dubai Courts requires a valid Emirates ID. Other routes accept a passport. Which one applies depends on your situation, the emirate and the document — tell us and we will confirm exactly what is needed, and the exact price, before you pay anything.
Can I do this from outside the UAE?
Yes. Verification with the notary is completed by video call, so you do not need to travel. See our full guide to notarizing a UAE document from outside the UAE.
How long does it take?
1–2 working days from the moment we have all your documents.
What language is the document issued in?
Arabic. Bilingual translation of one page is included in the price; each additional translated page is AED 150.
Not sure which document you need?
Describe what you are trying to do and we will tell you which document does it, what it costs, and how long it takes. Asking costs nothing.