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 binds the parties once signed, and Article 4(2) of Law 26 of 2007 requires it to be registered with RERA (Ejari). 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.