Dubai Oqood Explained
An Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's official off-plan pre-registration certificate — the legal record of your interest in a property that hasn't been built yet. It's your proof of ownership until the tower completes and a full title deed is issued.
What an Oqood is
The Arabic word 'Oqood' means 'contracts'. In Dubai real estate, it refers to the DLD's electronic pre-registration system for off-plan property. When you sign a Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) on an off-plan unit, the developer must register that SPA with the DLD, and the DLD issues you an Oqood certificate.
This certificate is your legally-recognised interest in the unit. If you sell the off-plan unit before handover (an 'assignment sale'), the assignment must also go through DLD Oqood — private off-Oqood assignments are not enforceable.
What an Oqood looks like
- PDF certificate issued by the DLD
- Buyer name and passport / Emirates ID
- Developer name and project name
- Unit number, floor, saleable area
- SPA date and purchase price
- DLD Oqood registration number
How to check your Oqood
- Log into the Dubai REST app with your passport or Emirates ID.
- Select 'Real Estate Services' → 'My Properties'.
- Your Oqood-registered units appear here with certificate PDF download.
- If the unit doesn't appear within 14 days of SPA signing, contact the developer — they may be late lodging Oqood. Miri Homes chases this on our clients' behalf.
Oqood vs Title Deed
| Oqood | Title Deed | |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Off-plan property | Ready property |
| Issued by | DLD (via developer) | DLD (on transfer) |
| Cost | AED 3,000–5,000 | AED 250 issuance + 4% transfer |
| When issued | Within 14 days of SPA | On handover / secondary transfer |
| Golden Visa evidence | Yes (with developer payment letter) | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Dubai Oqood?
An Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's official pre-registration certificate for off-plan property — the legal proof of your interest in a unit that hasn't been built yet.
How much does Oqood registration cost?
Oqood is charged at the standard 4% DLD rate on the purchase price, plus a AED 40 admin fee. There is no separate flat Oqood fee — beware brokers quoting one.
Can I get a Dubai Golden Visa on an Oqood?
Yes. Since the February 2026 policy update, the DLD-certified property value simply has to reach AED 2M — the old requirement to have paid at least 50% upfront has been removed, so off-plan and mortgaged purchases can qualify. You still produce the Oqood and the developer payment letter.
What happens to my Oqood when the property completes?
The developer transfers it to a full title deed at handover, following your final payment. DLD title deed replaces the Oqood as the legal record of ownership.