EPISODE 19

Welcome back to The Conveyance Desk.In Episode 18, we explored why property transfers fail. Today, Episode 19 focuses on foreign buyers and sellers, and what changes when one party is overseas.This is general educational content, not legal advice. Cross-border transactions involve additional legal and administrative requirements that may vary by jurisdiction.Dubai is a global property market, and many buyers and sellers complete transactions while living abroad. The transfer process itself remains largely the same, but the supporting documentation becomes more complex.The most important consideration is document legalisation. Foreign documents intended for use in the UAE—such as Powers of Attorney, marriage certificates, or corporate documents—typically require notarisation, attestation in the country of origin, UAE embassy legalisation, UAE MOFA attestation, and Arabic translation by a UAE-certified translator.Most delays occur when a step in this chain is missed. Common issues include missing foreign ministry attestation, missing MOFA attestation, or translations completed outside the UAE by non-certified translators.Timing is critical. Cross-border document processing often takes between two and six weeks, depending on the country involved. Starting late is one of the main reasons overseas transactions are delayed.Remote participation is usually handled through a Power of Attorney. A properly drafted and legalised POA allows an attorney to attend the trustee office, sign transfer documents, exchange cheques, and complete the transfer without the principal being physically present.Foreign buyers should also plan fund transfers well in advance. International transfers require time to clear, and manager's cheques cannot be issued until funds are available in a UAE account. Currency conversion timing can also have a significant impact on costs.Valid identification documents are essential. Passports, residence visas, Emirates IDs, and any POA-related identification must be current and consistent throughout the transaction.Finally, while the UAE does not impose capital gains tax on property sales, foreign buyers and sellers may have tax obligations in their home countries. These should be reviewed before completing the transaction.The key lesson is simple: successful overseas transactions depend on preparation. Start early, complete the legalisation process correctly, confirm funding arrangements, and verify documentation well before transfer day.In the next episode, we'll reflect on the key themes from the first 20 episodes and why effective conveyancing is often what determines whether a deal succeeds.This was The Conveyance Desk.