What is the most powerful type of Power of Attorney?

A General Power of Attorney is considered to be the most powerful because it grants broad authority, allowing someone to handle multiple legal, financial, and administrative matters on your behalf.

Can a Power of Attorney be issued to more than one person in Dubai?

Yes, you can appoint multiple people in one POA and specify whether they must act jointly or individually.

Can banks in Dubai reject a General Power of Attorney?

Yes, banks may reject a General Power of Attorney if it lacks explicit banking powers, is not properly attested or notarized, or does not meet their internal compliance requirements. Banks in Dubai typically require the attorney to be a UAE resident.

General and Special Power of Attorney in Dubai

If you live, work, or make investments in the UAE, it is very common to encounter situations where you cannot personally attend to every legal or administrative matter. You may often need someone else to act on your behalf, perhaps for a single transaction or even for a wide scope of affairs. Under these circumstances, it helps to have a clear understanding of the difference between a General Power of Attorney and a Special Power of Attorney.

Both documents allow someone you trust to step in for you, but the scope of what they can do varies dramatically. Recognizing this distinction is what protects your rights while simultaneously ensuring that every decision made on your behalf aligns with your intentions and keeps your affairs running smoothly.

General Power of Attorney

A General Power of Attorney is designed to provide broad authority. It is commonly used by individuals who travel frequently, live overseas, or manage multiple assets and responsibilities across the UAE. Under UAE law, this document must be notarized (or properly attested if signed abroad) to be legally valid, and it can cover a wide variety of personal, business, and administrative tasks.

For notarization purposes, the POA must be drafted in Arabic or in an approved Arabic-English bilingual format. Documents drafted in other languages will need a certified translation.

Key Features of a General Power of Attorney

Wide Scope of Authority: A General POA can include permissions to manage bank accounts, buy or sell vehicles, and represent you before government departments. Because the powers are vast and extensive, this POA requires absolute trust in the person you appoint.

Used When Living Abroad: Many expats issue a General POA to ensure continuity of their affairs while outside the country. It allows uninterrupted handling of real estate transactions, Ejari renewals, corporate affairs, and other related responsibilities.

Recognized by Multiple Institutions: A General POA once notarized (or attested if issued abroad) is generally accepted by most government departments and service providers for the powers listed within it.

Special Power of Attorney

A Special Power of Attorney in Dubai is much narrower in scope. It is created for a specific task or a limited set of actions. This includes authorizing someone to sell a specific property, register a company, attend a court hearing, sign a marriage-related document, or transfer a specific vehicle.

Key Features of a Special Power of Attorney

Limited Authority: A Special Power of Attorney clearly states the exact action the agent is permitted to perform. Once the task has been completed, the POA’s purpose is fulfilled.

Greater Control and Lower Risk: Since it covers only one specific transaction or activity, the principal retains tighter control. It is often preferred for transactions such as selling property, completing corporate registration, or representing someone in a one-time legal matter.

Affordable and Practical: A Special Power of Attorney in Dubai tends to be more cost-effective as the scope is narrower and it is typically limited to one action.

Key Differences Between a Special POA and a General POA

While both kinds of POAs grant legal authority, their distinction lies in:

Scope: A General Power of Attorney in Dubai covers a wide array of activities, while a Special POA is limited in scope and covers only a few defined tasks.

Risk Level: A General POA requires a deeper level of trust, as the agent has vast authority. In comparison, a Special POA minimizes risk levels due to its narrow scope.

Purpose: General POAs work better when you have tasks that require ongoing support, like managing multiple assets or handling regular government-related paperwork. Special POAs are ideal for one-off, specific transactions.

Duration and Termination: General POAs are typically long-term unless revoked or unless an expiry date is stated. Special POAs generally become void once the task is completed, although formal revocation may still be required.

How to Choose Between a General POA and a Special POA

Your decision between a General POA and a Special POA should depend on the nature of the task, your level of trust, and the amount of flexibility you want to give the authorized individual.

If you travel frequently and live outside the UAE and want someone to handle ongoing responsibilities, then a General Power of Attorney would be the right option. If you need someone to carry out one specific activity and prefer a document with high clarity and minimum risk, then a Special Power of Attorney that helps you retain tighter control may be a better option.

Whether you need a General Power of Attorney UAE sample or a well-drafted Special POA, the experts at MakeMyPOA are here to help. From guidance on notarization to support with UAE-wide attestation, our team works with you to ensure that your Power of Attorney in Dubai is clearly worded and ready for submission, so you can authorize someone with confidence and peace of mind. Contact our team for details on General Power of Attorney or Special Power of Attorney pricing.