Key Highlights 

• You can own 100% of a Dubai real estate brokerage or holding company as a Chinese national. No local Emirati partner is required for most structures.
• An individual RERA broker licence is restricted to Emirati and GCC citizens. Foreign owners hold the company and employ registered agents instead.
• Pure property investment needs no trade licence at all, only the standard Dubai Land Department (DLD) title registration.
• A minimum AED 2 million property investment qualifies you for a 5-year UAE Golden Visa under the investor category, per the official UAE government portal.
• Costs and regulations are subject to change. Confirm current figures with the relevant UAE government authority.

Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, mainland companies in most commercial activities, including real estate brokerage and holding structures, can be 100% foreign-owned with no mandatory Emirati shareholder. This removed the old 51% local-partner rule for the vast majority of activities.

Real estate is not on the UAE’s restricted-activity list, which covers sectors such as defense, telecommunications, and banking. 

That means you can register a mainland brokerage or property-holding company in your own name or in the name of a corporate shareholder based in China. A few conditions still apply.

• The company needs a DET trade licence with the correct activity code before it can trade.
• If the company practices brokerage, it must register separately with the Dubai Land Department before it can transact.
• Ownership of the licence and ownership of an individual broker card are two different things, covered in the next section.

Client experience: “We have recently incorporated our company through JSB Incorporation. Gaurav Keswani has been a tremendous help throughout the entire process. His support enabled us to complete everything seamlessly, even accommodating last-minute changes. It was a wonderful experience working with JSB Incorporation. We look forward to a long-term engagement.” — Veena Talegaonkar, Google Reviews

After all, keep reading this article to learn more. 

Real Estate Broker Licence vs. Real Estate Investment or Holding Company: What’s the Difference?

An individual RERA broker licence is only open to Emirati or GCC citizens who are over 18 and hold a recognized real estate qualification, per the Dubai Land Department’s published FAQ.

A foreign national cannot hold this individual licence directly. What you can do instead is own the brokerage company itself and staff it with RERA-registered agents.

A holding or investment company is a separate path entirely. It buys, holds, and manages property on the owner’s behalf, and it does not need a RERA licence because it is not brokering deals for third parties. 

What Are the Steps to Start a Real Estate Business in Dubai as a Foreigner?

You’ll move through a defined sequence, and the order matters because each stage depends on approval from the one before it. Here is the practical order most applicants follow.

1. Decide on your structure. Choose a brokerage company for active dealing or an investment and holding company for passive ownership.
2. Reserve a trade name and apply for a mainland trade licence through DET with the correct real estate activity code.
3. If you are forming a brokerage, register the company with the Dubai Land Department so the licence is activated for real estate transactions.
4. Any foreign staff who will act as registered agents must hold a valid UAE residence visa before they can complete Dubai Real Estate Institute training and sit the RERA exam.
5. Once training and the exam are complete, apply for a professional practice card for each qualifying agent through the Dubai Land Department.
6. Secure office space and register the tenancy contract through Ejari, the Dubai Land Department’s rental registration system.
7. Confirm all licence and agent registrations are active before advertising any listing. Dubai Land Department rules require this approval before a property can be marketed.

JSB’s PRO services team typically coordinates the trade licence application, the Dubai Land Department registration, and the visa paperwork in parallel so the sequence doesn’t stall at any single authority.

Do I Need a UAE Residence Visa to Start a Real Estate Business?

No, not to own the company. You can hold shares in a Dubai real estate holding or brokerage company, and you can purchase property, without ever applying for a UAE residence visa. A residence visa becomes mandatory only for anyone who will personally act as a registered agent under the brokerage.

Use this checklist to see where you stand.

• Owning a holding company or buying property: no residence visa needed.
• Owning a brokerage company as a passive shareholder: no residence visa needed for you personally.
• Working as a RERA-registered agent: a valid residence visa is required, alongside a good conduct certificate and completed Dubai Real Estate Institute training.
• Age requirement for individual broker licensing: over 18, per Dubai Land Department’s published FAQ.

Costs and regulations are subject to change. Confirm current figures with the relevant UAE government authority before making decisions.

Does a Chinese National Need a Local UAE Partner for a Real Estate Business?

Generally, no. Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 abolished the requirement for a majority Emirati shareholder or local partner across most mainland commercial activities, including real estate brokerage and holding companies. 

This applies whether you are setting up as an individual shareholder or through a corporate entity registered in China.

One nuance is worth flagging directly. The Dubai Land Department’s own FAQ notes that an expatriate-owned brokerage licence still requires a citizen services agent on file, a role distinct from equity ownership. 

This agent doesn’t hold shares or profit rights in your company. The role exists to liaise with government departments on the license’s behalf, and it is a compliance formality, not a partnership.

Client experience: “What a fabulous service by Gaurav. He literally solved our problems for opening a company in UAE. Has a professional team to assist. Amazing customer service. High recommended for company formation. He also assisted us with banking services. Thank you once again.” — Dhaval Shah, Google Reviews

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Real Estate Business in Dubai in 2026?

Your total cost depends on your structure. A passive holding company avoids brokerage-specific fees entirely, while an active brokerage carries license, training, and per-agent costs. 

Treat the categories below as a planning checklist, not final amounts, since UAE government fee schedules change periodically.

Costs and regulations are subject to change. Confirm current figures with the relevant UAE government authority before making decisions. 

Can I Get a UAE Golden Visa If I Invest in Dubai Real Estate as a Chinese Investor?

Yes. The UAE Golden Visa investor category grants a 5-year residency to applicants who hold a minimum AED 2 million property investment, according to the UAE government’s official Golden Visa page. 

This sits alongside the 10-year track reserved for public investment and other qualifying categories.

Key eligibility points to confirm before applying:

• Minimum investment value: AED 2 million in property, held individually or through joint ownership.
• The visa does not require you to personally manage or broker the property. Passive ownership qualifies.
• Family sponsorship, including a spouse and children, is available once the primary applicant’s visa is approved.

Costs and regulations are subject to change. Confirm current figures with the relevant UAE government authority or with JSB before making decisions.

Client experience: “JSB Incorporation was recommended to me by a friend and they helped me throughout the process of my Golden Visa application. I had a fabulous experience working with Gaurav and Beena for my Dubai Golden Visa application. The entire process was managed with impeccable professionalism, sound knowledge, transparency and sharp communication. A special shout-out to Gaurav, who went above and beyond at particularly the week I was in Dubai — extremely proactive, always responsive and alert with every single question I had. Overall, I would highly recommend JSB incorporation for any similar visa related advisory and support, or broadly on business setup assistance in the UAE.” — Rajnish Pal, Google Reviews

Can I Run a Dubai Real Estate Business Remotely from China?

Ownership and passive investment, yes. Active brokerage work, no. You can own your Dubai real estate company, hold property, and manage strategy remotely through a licensed PRO or registered agent handling day-to-day filings on the ground. 

What you cannot do remotely is act as a RERA-registered agent yourself, since Dubai Real Estate Institute attendance and the RERA exam both require physical presence in the UAE along with a valid residence visa.

This distinction is often missed in generic guides that assume any foreign owner can simply get a licence from abroad. In practice, the ownership layer travels with you. The licensed-agent layer does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a Chinese citizen own 100% of a Dubai real estate company?

Yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 permits 100% foreign ownership of most mainland commercial activities, including real estate brokerage and holding companies, with no mandatory Emirati shareholder.

2. Is an individual RERA broker licence open to foreign nationals or only company ownership?

The individual broker licence is restricted to Emirati and GCC citizens per the Dubai Land Department’s published FAQ. Foreign nationals instead own the brokerage company and employ RERA-registered agents under it.

3. Do I need a UAE residence visa to buy property in Dubai as a Chinese investor?

No. Purchasing and holding property in Dubai does not require a UAE residence visa. A residence visa is only mandatory for individuals working as registered real estate agents.

4. What is the minimum investment for a Dubai Golden Visa through real estate?

The minimum is AED 2 million in property value, qualifying for a 5-year residency under the investor category, per the UAE government’s official Golden Visa page.

5. Can I set up a real estate holding company from China without visiting Dubai?

Yes, in most cases. A mainland holding or brokerage company can be registered and licensed with a PRO managing submissions on your behalf, though some steps may require notarized documentation.

6. Does a Chinese national need a local Emirati partner for a real estate business?

Generally no, following the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform. A citizen services agent may still be required on an expatriate-owned brokerage license, but this role holds no equity.

7. What’s the difference between owning a brokerage company and holding an individual broker license?

A brokerage company can be 100% foreign-owned and employ registered agents. An individual broker licence is a personal qualification restricted to Emirati and GCC citizens.

8. How long does the full company formation and licensing process typically take?

Timelines vary by structure and activity. Confirm current processing times with DET and Dubai Land Department, or through a JSB consultation, before setting expectations

Reviewed by Gaurav Keswani, Founder, JSB Incorporation

Gaurav Keswani is the Founder of JSB Incorporation, a Dubai-based business setup and immigration consultancy. He appeared on Talk 100.3 FM answering live listener questions on UAE Golden Visa eligibility, citing GDRFA and ICP guidelines directly on air. JSB Incorporation handles documentation preparation and application coordination; all visa and license decisions rest with the relevant UAE government authorities—GDRFA, ICP, DET, and DLD.

Ready to Start Your Dubai Real Estate Business?

If you’re a Chinese entrepreneur weighing whether to build an active brokerage or hold property as a passive investor, the right structure depends on your goals, your timeline in the UAE, and whether you plan to relocate.

JSB Incorporation helps you determine which path fits, whether that’s a foreign-owned mainland company for an active real estate business or a holding structure paired with Golden Visa support for pure investment.

Our team also handles the trade license, Dubai Land Department registration, and visa paperwork so you’re not managing multiple government portals from abroad.

Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to learn more.

Also Read:

Real Estate vs. Tech vs. Stocks: Where Should You Invest in UAE in 2026?

How Much Do Real Estate Brokers Earn in Dubai? Commissions, Salary & Income Breakdown (2026)

Why is the Golden Visa the Safest Option for Real Estate Investors in the UAE?