By the Private Notary Dubai Team | Last updated: July 2026
What Is a Special Power of Attorney for Business Permit — and When Do You Need It?
Setting up a company in the UAE involves a chain of official steps: reserving the trade name, signing the memorandum of association (MOA), dealing with the Department of Economy and Tourism or the relevant free-zone authority, signing the tenancy contract, and finally issuing the trade licence. Each of these steps normally requires your signature and repeated attendance before different bodies.
A special power of attorney for business permit solves this: it grants your agent — whether a partner, a business manager, or a setup consultant — the authority to complete these procedures in your name. That way you can establish your company in Dubai while you are still in your home country, saving time and travel and keeping the process moving without interruption.
💡 Related reading: Company Formation Power of Attorney in the UAE and Power of Attorney for Company Management.
Special vs. General Power of Attorney
For company formation, a special power of attorney with clearly defined powers is preferable to an open-ended general POA. A special POA limits your delegation to the formation tasks specifically, giving you greater control and stronger protection.
🎯 Special POA
A defined mandate for specific tasks (forming the company and issuing the licence). More precise and safer because it does not extend beyond what is stated.
🌐 General POA
A broad mandate to manage multiple affairs. Useful later for running the company, but wider than the formation step alone requires.
💡 For a deeper comparison, read: Special vs. General Power of Attorney in the UAE.
Who Notarises the POA? The Role of the Private Notary and Dubai Courts
This type of POA is notarised by a private notary who is licensed by Dubai Courts. In other words, Dubai Courts is the body that regulates and supervises the work of the private notary and is the official reference for notarisation.
Our role at Private Notary Dubai is to facilitate the notarisation and to help you draft and complete the POA through the approved channels — the official notarisation itself takes place within the framework regulated by Dubai Courts.
What Powers Can the Business-Permit POA Include?
The POA is drafted according to your needs, and you can add any power you want or remove any power you do not want. The most common powers in formation POAs include:
Reserving the trade name and obtaining the initial approvals for the activity.
Signing the memorandum of association and dealing with the Department of Economy and Tourism or the free-zone authority.
Signing and registering the tenancy contract and completing the premises requirements.
Issuing the trade licence and finalising registration with the relevant authorities.
Signing before government bodies and completing the transactions related to formation.
Flexible mandate: you decide the scope of powers, and our team drafts them precisely before notarisation.
Mainland vs. Free Zones
The business-permit POA is used in both the mainland and free zones, though the details and requirements may differ between the two. That is why our team takes your project details first and then prepares the appropriate wording for each case.
| Item | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Supervising authority | Department of Economy & Tourism | The relevant free-zone authority |
| Trade-name reservation certificate | Required for mainland companies | As per the authority’s requirements |
| POA drafting | Prepared by our team per activity | Adapted to the authority’s template |
💡 Setting up in a free zone? See Power of Attorney in a Free Zone, and for DMCC companies read DMCC Power of Attorney in Dubai.
Required Documents
The requirements are simple and straightforward:
For the general checklist, see: Required Documents for Issuing Any Power of Attorney in the UAE.
How to Notarise the POA Remotely (Step by Step)
Contact us on WhatsApp and share your project details and the principal’s and agent’s information.
Our team prepares the bilingual special POA with the powers you specify.
A certified video call is held with the principal to verify identity and consent.
Done: you receive your notarised POA ready for use — the same day.
How Long Does It Take?
In ordinary cases the POA can be completed the same day once the documents are ready and the video call and electronic signing are done. Note that any official step may be affected by the scheduling and working hours of the competent authority.
Can a Principal Residing Outside the UAE Issue It?
Yes. You do not need to attend in person. All that is required is a video call through the approved video-interview platform to verify your identity and consent, followed by the electronic signing. This lets you set up your company in Dubai from your home country without travelling. For more, see issuing a Power of Attorney from abroad.
Ready to set up your company remotely?
Contact the Private Notary Dubai team to prepare and notarise your special POA for a business permit — the same day.
Common Mistakes When Preparing a Formation POA
How Private Notary Dubai Helps You
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up my company in Dubai without attending in person?
Yes. By granting a special power of attorney for business permit to a trusted agent, and the POA is notarised remotely via a certified video call and electronic signing, with no need to travel.
Who notarises the POA?
It is notarised by a private notary licensed by Dubai Courts, which is the body that regulates and supervises this work.
Is the POA valid for both mainland and free zones?
Yes, it is used in both cases, and our team prepares the appropriate wording after taking your project details.
What documents are required?
The Emirates IDs or passports of the principal and the agent, plus the trade-name reservation certificate for mainland companies.
How long does it take?
It can be completed the same day once the documents are ready and the video call and signing are done, subject to the working hours of the official authorities.
Can I customise the POA’s powers?
Yes, you can add any power you want or remove any power you do not want, and our team drafts it accordingly.
Do I need a legal translation of the POA?
No. Our team prepares it as a bilingual (Arabic/English) document ready for use.
The Private Notary Dubai Team
Licensed private notaries in Dubai, handling POA notarisation daily and helping investors form their companies inside and outside the UAE. Our hands-on experience with the competent authorities ensures precise drafting and a smooth process.
Conclusion
A special power of attorney for business permit is the fastest way to set up your company remotely and skip the back-and-forth. With bilingual drafting, notarisation regulated by Dubai Courts, and a video call plus electronic signing completed the same day, you can launch your UAE venture with confidence. The Private Notary Dubai team is ready to help you with the drafting, the notarisation, and the formation steps.
Abdul Hamid is a legal consultant with extensive experience in providing legal advice in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise focuses on legal drafting, resolving commercial disputes, and drafting and reviewing corporate and employment contracts.