What is the difference between a lease and a usufruct in the UAE?

A lease in Dubai is a short-term tenancy agreement (typically 1 to 5 years) governed by Ejari under the tenancy law. A usufruct is a long-term leasehold right that can extend up to 20 years and is registered under property ownership law through the DLD real estate registry. Once registered, the beneficiary receives a DLD usufruct certificate confirming their legal right of use for the agreed term.

Who can register a usufruct right in Dubai?

Registration of an initial usufruct is carried out by a developer or property owner who grants the usufruct to a beneficiary. The beneficiary may be an individual or a company. To register, all parties must provide valid identification, a signed usufruct agreement, and company documents (if applicable), ensuring that the property is located in a DLD-permitted area and the usage term is clearly defined.

How long does it take to receive the DLD usufruct certificate?

The DLD usufruct registration process is typically completed within six business days from the date of submission through the Oqood system. Once the registration is approved, the beneficiary receives an official Usufruct Registration e-Certificate by email, confirming their right of use and the registration’s legal validity under UAE property law.

How long is a usufruct valid in Dubai?

A real estate usufruct in Dubai is generally valid for up to 20 years, as specified in the usufruct agreement and in accordance with UAE usufruct law. Both the commencement and expiry dates must be included in the contract. The DLD requires that the usufruct period of the property unit align with that of the land on which it stands.

What is an initial usufruct registration in Dubai?

An initial usufruct registration in Dubai is the official process of recording a long-term usage right for a property in the Dubai Land Department (DLD) system. It grants the beneficiary the legal right to use and benefit from a property without transferring ownership.

Initial Usufruct Registration in Dubai – Request for Registration of an Initial Usufruct

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DLD Usufruct Registration Services in Dubai

As an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre under the Dubai Land Department (DLD), EGSH facilitates the registration of initial usufruct rights in Dubai. Our consultants handle every stage, verifying the usufruct agreement, confirming eligibility of the parties, coordinating submission through the DLD’s Oqood system, and issuing the registration certificate. The entire process is carried out in accordance with UAE property regulations and completed in a single visit.

Benefits of choosing EGSH for your Initial Usufruct Registration in Dubai:

Authorised by the DLD
Completed in one visit
VIP service without queues

Registration services for usufructs at EGSH are provided at official fees approved by the Dubai Land Department.

Contact EGSH

Visit our centre during working hours — no appointment required — or book your visit at a convenient time. Initial usufruct registrations are processed promptly with VIP service and no queues.

Document Review

Our consultant verifies all required documents, including the signed usufruct agreement, Emirates IDs or passports of both parties, and, for companies, the trade licence and Memorandum of Association.

Application Processing

We prepare and submit your usufruct registration application through the official DLD Oqood system, ensure compliance with all procedural requirements, and coordinate payment of the applicable government fees.

Usufruct Certificate Issuance

Upon approval, the Dubai Land Department issues the official Usufruct Registration e-Certificate. Registration is completed in a single visit to EGSH, and the certificate is delivered to the beneficiary by email within six working days.

Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues

You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday — Saturday: 9:00 am — 5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

Usufruct Agreement

Provide the signed sale and usufruct agreement between the parties.

Identification Documents

Submit a valid UAE ID or passport for all owners and beneficiaries.

Trade Licence and Company Papers

Companies provide a valid trade licence and legal ownership documents.

Supporting Documents

Power of attorney, MoA translations, and NOC letters, if applicable.

Take a 3D Tour of EGSH

VIP Service

Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.

Affordable Fees

Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.

All Services in One Place

Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.

One-Visit Completion

Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.

Legal Recognition of Long-Term Property Usage in Dubai

The initial usufruct registration is one of the official real estate registration services of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). It governs the legal registration of a long-term property usage right (usufruct) granted by a property owner or developer to another party, without transferring ownership. The process ensures that the beneficiary’s right to use and benefit from the property is legally recognised and enforceable under Dubai property law.

A usufruct right allows an individual or company to occupy and use a property, such as land, villas, or commercial units, for a fixed term, typically up to 20 years. The registration of this right protects both parties and ensures that the agreement complies with the conditions set by the DLD and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

Procedure and Approvals for Legal Usufruct Registration

The registration of an initial usufruct begins when a developer or property owner signs a sale-and-usufruct agreement with the beneficiary. The application must be submitted through the DLD Oqood portal, accompanied by all required documents, including valid identification, a trade licence (for companies), and legal authorisations, including a Power of Attorney if applicable.

Before the usufruct registration, the DLD verifies that:

The property lies within the permitted areas for usufruct rights.
The start and expiry dates of the usufruct are clearly defined.
The expiry of the unit’s usufruct corresponds with the land’s usufruct expiry date, ensuring alignment across ownership levels.

Once approved, the DLD collects the official usufruct registration fee and issues an electronic Usufruct Registration e-Certificate confirming the beneficiary’s right of use.

Features of the Property Right Registration Process in Dubai

The DLD usufruct registration is completed through the Real Estate Developers Portal (Oqood) or at an authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centre such as EGSH. Both the developer (or property owner) and the beneficiary — or their authorised representatives — must provide complete documentation in accordance with DLD usufruct law in the UAE.

After the application is reviewed and approved, the DLD records the usufruct in its official property register and issues the Usufruct Registration e-Certificate, which is sent electronically to the beneficiary.

The registered usufruct right is valid for a fixed term of up to 20 years, granting the beneficiary legal permission to use and benefit from the property during this period.

Government Fees for Initial Usufruct Registration

The official Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees for the registration of an initial usufruct in Dubai are as follows:

2% of the rental (contract) value stated in the usufruct agreement, payable by the property owner or developer
AED 10 Knowledge Fee
AED 10 Innovation Fee

All payments are made securely through DLD-approved methods, including Noqodi Wallet or deduction from the project’s escrow account, in line with DLD financial regulations. An electronic receipt confirming payment is issued immediately after settlement.

Where to Register an Initial Usufruct in Dubai

The DLD usufruct registration process is completed through official channels only:

Dubai Land Department’s Oqood Portal
Authorised Real Estate Services Trustee Centres, such as EGSH

At EGSH, our consultants handle the entire usufruct registration procedure—verifying the contracts, preparing all required documentation, submitting the application through Oqood, and coordinating with DLD until the Usufruct Registration e-Certificate is issued.

All registrations are processed directly within the Dubai Land Department’s real estate system, ensuring transparency, traceability, and complete legal validity of the registered right of use.

Real Estate Registration Trustee Consultant at EGSH

Explained by

Muneer Juma Al Balushi

Real Estate Registration Trustee Consultant at EGSH

Muneer Juma Al Balushi has six years of experience in the real estate registration system of the Dubai Land Department, specialising in supporting clients with accurate, secure, and legally compliant property registration.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Usufruct Registration in Dubai

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