Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a non-resident expat make a will for assets in the UAE?
A non-resident expat can investigate options for making a will that addresses UAE assets, but the appropriate route depends on the asset, ownership, relevant law and current formal requirements. Get advice from a qualified practitioner familiar with the jurisdictions involved before deciding how to proceed.
Can I sign a will for UAE assets while living abroad?
Possibly, but preparing or signing a document online does not automatically make it valid, registered or suitable for every UAE asset. Confirm the chosen route’s eligibility, signing, witnessing, notarisation or registration requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser; some steps may require a specific process.
Does an online will automatically cover property in the UAE?
No. An online will’s scope and recognition depend on its terms, the applicable law, the property’s ownership and the formalities followed. Ask an adviser to review whether the document clearly covers the UAE property and how it coordinates with any other will or estate-planning documents.
Can one will cover assets in the UAE and another country?
A will may address assets in more than one country, but whether that is suitable depends on the relevant laws and how the document is drafted. Have qualified advisers review any existing wills before adding or changing documents, especially for overlapping asset coverage or wording that could revoke another will.
What records should I prepare before arranging a will remotely?
Gather current identity and residence documents, records showing where each asset is held and how it is owned, and any existing wills or estate-planning documents. Also write down your intended beneficiaries and proposed executors. The provider or authority may request additional records, so confirm its current requirements before submitting documents.
Topic Summary
UAE Assets Need Planning
Owning UAE property, bank accounts or a business from abroad still calls for an estate plan. A will from your home country may require translation, attestation and court recognition before it can be used in the UAE, potentially adding time and cost for your family.
Understand the Risks of No Will
Without a UAE will, an estate may be subject to applicable local rules and court procedures, which can delay access to assets. For a business owner, frozen shares or accounts could disrupt management, payroll and licensing while heirs are determined.
DIFC Offers Remote Registration
The DIFC Courts Wills Service accepts non-residents with UAE assets, or minor children resident in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah. Its virtual process allows eligible applicants to sign and register by video call from abroad; confirm current requirements before applying.
Compare Other UAE Registries
ADGM accepts non-residents and registers English-language wills; ask about its current remote signing arrangements. ADJD offers video notarisation and registers wills in Arabic and English, with certified translation required for an English draft. Check each registry’s eligibility and process.
Check Dubai Courts Eligibility
Dubai Courts registers non-Muslim wills under Dubai Law 15 of 2017, but identity verification uses a UAE Emirates ID. This generally makes the route more suitable for residents than non-residents, so confirm eligibility before preparing documents.
Verify Rules Before Proceeding
Registry rules, fees and remote options can change. Contact the relevant registry or a qualified adviser to confirm the route, current formalities and whether your will addresses the UAE assets and business interests you intend it to cover.
Making a Will Remotely: Options for Non-Resident Expats with UAE Assets
More business owners now hold UAE assets without living in the UAE. A non-resident licence lets you own and run a Dubai company from abroad, and many overseas investors also hold Dubai property or UAE bank accounts.
Those assets still need a plan. This guide explains why a UAE Will matters even if you live elsewhere, which registries accept non-residents, and how the remote process works.
Why Non-Residents Need a UAE Will
A Will made in your home country does not automatically take effect in the UAE. A foreign Will has to be translated, attested and proved in a UAE court before it can be used, which adds time and cost for your family.
Without a UAE Will, non-Muslim estates fall under the civil personal status law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022). The estate is locked until a court order, the court first identifies your legal heirs, and the estate is split by a fixed formula: half to your spouse and half equally among your children.
What Is at Risk for a Non-Resident Founder
If you are the only shareholder or bank signatory of a UAE company, no one can exercise your shares while the estate is locked. That can mean no one is able to appoint a new manager, change the bank signatory or keep the licence and payroll running. Your shares are also split by law, so your family, including minors, may end up co-owning the company.
DIFC Courts Wills Service
The DIFC registers English-language Wills under DIFC rules and does not require UAE residency. Applicants need UAE assets or minor children resident in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah. Its virtual registration lets you sign and register by video call from abroad.
ADGM
ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, registers English-language Wills drafted under common law principles and is open to non-residents. Check the current remote signing arrangements with ADGM before you apply.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)
ADJD runs a non-Muslim Wills registry for Abu Dhabi and offers remote notarisation by video session. Wills are registered in Arabic and English, so an English draft needs a certified translation.
Dubai Courts
Dubai Courts registers non-Muslim Wills under Dubai Law 15 of 2017. The Dubai Courts notary verifies identity using a UAE Emirates ID, so this route generally suits UAE residents rather than non-residents.
Registry rules and fees change over time. Confirm current eligibility and remote options with the registry before you apply.
Step 1: Map Your UAE Assets
List what you own in the UAE: company shares, property, bank accounts and vehicles. Note which emirate each asset is in, as this affects which registry suits you.
Step 2: Choose Your Executor and Guardian
Name an executor to carry out your Will, plus an alternate. If you have children under 18, nominate a guardian and a backup.
Step 3: Have Your Will Drafted
Registries register Wills; they don’t draft them. Most non-residents work with a UAE-qualified lawyer or Will drafter who knows the chosen registry’s rules.
Step 4: Attend a Video Signing
On the scheduled date, you join a secure video call. The registry or notary verifies your identity and confirms you understand the Will before it is signed and registered.
Step 5: Keep Your Records Together
Keep a copy of your registered Will with your company documents, such as your Share Register and Memorandum and Articles of Association, and make sure your executor knows where to find them.
Keep Your Home Country Will
A UAE Will normally covers UAE assets only. Keep your home country Will for assets there, and make sure the two don’t contradict each other.
Plan Your Company Shares Explicitly
Name who takes your shares in your UAE company. If you have a co-founder, this tells them exactly who they will be working with.
Review After Big Changes
Update your Will if you add a shareholder, buy or sell property, or your family changes.
If You Become a UAE Resident
Many non-resident founders later take up a UAE residence visa. Once you hold a valid Emirates ID, Meydan Free Zone clients can use our Wills Registration service to register a Dubai Courts Will without visiting the court.
One Fixed Fee
AED 7,000 for a Single Will or AED 11,000 for a Mirror Will, covering consultation, drafting, registration and notarisation.
English First, Notarised by Video Call
You approve an English draft within 2 business days, and the Dubai Courts notary notarises your Will by video call. The service is available to non-Muslim Meydan Free Zone clients aged 18 or over with a valid Emirates ID.
Next Steps
If you hold UAE assets as a non-resident, start by listing them and choosing your executor. Then pick the registry that fits where your assets sit. If you are planning to relocate, setting up with Meydan Free Zone puts company setup, residency and Wills Registration in one place.
