A non-resident power of attorney is a POA granted by someone who is outside the UAE signed abroad and then authenticated so it can be used here. It lets an overseas owner appoint a representative to act for them in a UAE property matter without travelling.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll see it when an owner who lives overseas needs to buy, sell, manage or mortgage a UAE property. Because the POA is signed abroad, it must be notarised in that country and then attested so a UAE notary or trustee office will accept it.
Why it matters
An overseas-signed POA only works if it follows the authentication chain correctly. A non-resident owner who skips a step can find their representative blocked at the counter, stalling a sale from thousands of kilometres away. Getting the wording and attestation right is essential.
What it is not
A non-resident POA is not different in its powers from a POA signed in the UAE the difference is the authentication route. It is also not valid simply because it is notarised abroad; it generally needs embassy and ministry attestation, or an apostille where accepted.
Example
An owner living in Canada wants to sell their Dubai apartment. They sign a property-sale POA in Canada, have it notarised, attested by the UAE embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and translated into Arabic after which their representative completes the sale here.
Connected documents and parties
Notarised POA, embassy and MOFA attestation or apostille, legal translation, title deed; overseas principal, local agent, notary, trustee office.
Going deeper: for preparing an overseas POA that the UAE will accept, see the UAE power of attorney guidance.
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Last reviewed: June 2026