How do you actually sign a tenancy contract in Dubai? Physical or digital? Both? Here's exactly what's required, what's accepted, and how to do it properly.
Physical (wet-ink) signing — the default for new contracts
For first-time tenancy contracts in Dubai, the official process requires:
- Both parties physically sign the printed contract
- Wet-ink (pen) signatures — blue or black
- Signatures on every page of the contract (not just the last page)
- Two original copies signed — one for landlord, one for tenant
- Witnesses are not required (but optional)
Where to sign the printed contract
- At the landlord's office or property
- At the tenant's location (rare but possible)
- At a typing centre (some offer notarisation)
- At a property management company office
- At an Ejari typing centre (combines signing + Ejari submission)
Can I sign the tenancy contract online?
For first-time Ejari registration, no — wet-ink signatures are required. Electronic signatures from generic e-sign tools (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.) aren't currently accepted by Ejari for initial registration.
For renewals, yes — the Dubai REST app supports digital re-signing of an already-registered tenancy contract. Both parties confirm via app authentication and the renewed contract is Ejari-registered digitally.
The signing process step-by-step
Signing through a representative (Power of Attorney)
If a landlord or tenant is unable to sign in person (overseas, unwell, etc.), they can grant a Power of Attorney (POA) to a UAE-based representative who signs on their behalf. The POA must be:
- Notarised in the country where the principal is located
- Attested by the UAE consulate in that country
- Translated to Arabic if not already (often done by certified translator in UAE)
- Attached as a copy to the tenancy contract submission
After signing — register Ejari
The contract becomes fully legally binding only after Ejari registration. Within 30 days of contract start:
- Open Dubai REST app → Services → Ejari → Register
- Upload signed contract scan/photo + Emirates IDs + title deed
- Pay AED 220
- Receive Ejari certificate within 30 minutes
Common signing mistakes
- Missing signatures on one or more pages → Ejari rejection
- Signing in different colours of ink → can be flagged as suspicious
- Initialing instead of full signature on one page → not always accepted
- Pre-signing blank pages → invalidates the contract
- One party signing both name fields → contract is void
For renewal signing via Dubai REST app, see our renew tenancy contract guide.