A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document authorising a named individual to act on behalf of another person or entity in specified matters. In UAE business operations, POAs are commonly used when a shareholder is abroad and needs someone to sign company documents, when a company authorises its PRO to represent it before government authorities, or when a foreign company appoints a UAE representative to manage its operations. Understanding how to properly draft, notarise, and register a POA in the UAE is essential.
Types of Power of Attorney in the UAE
UAE law recognises general POAs, which grant broad authority over all matters, and specific or limited POAs, which restrict authority to defined transactions or time periods. For business use, a specific POA is almost always preferable — it limits the agent's authority to precisely what is required, reducing the risk of misuse. Common specific POAs for businesses include authority to sign government applications, authority to open or operate bank accounts, and authority to represent the company before courts.
Drafting and Notarising a UAE POA
A UAE POA must be drafted in Arabic or in Arabic alongside the principal's language. It must be notarised before a UAE notary public at a Notarisation Centre or through Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, or equivalent emirate authority. The grantor must appear in person with their Emirates ID or passport. POAs for company transactions typically require the company's trade licence, shareholder resolution authorising the POA, and the legal representative's documents.
POAs from Outside the UAE
If the grantor is outside the UAE, the POA must be notarised before a public notary in their country, attested through the full attestation chain (or Apostille where applicable), and then attested by the UAE MOFA upon arrival in the UAE. It must also be legally translated into Arabic. This process takes two to four weeks and should be initiated well in advance of when the POA will be needed.
Revocation of a Power of Attorney
A POA can be revoked at any time by the grantor. Revocation must be formally notarised at the same UAE notary authority and, critically, the agent must be officially notified of the revocation. Failing to formally revoke a POA means the agent can continue to use it until it expires, which poses significant legal and financial risk. Gulf Oasis Business Management advises on the appropriate scope and duration of business POAs and manages the notarisation process.