Can you be a part-time real estate agent in Dubai?
To show properties, negotiate or sign on behalf of clients, you need a RERA broker card, which is issued through a licensed brokerage after the DREI course and the RERA exam. Some brokerages accept agents on flexible, commission-only arrangements. The license requirements are the same as for full-time agents, so part-time agents follow the same training and renewal rules.
If you are employed in the UAE, check your employment contract and the rules on secondary work before taking on another activity.
A realistic part-time schedule
- Evenings: follow up with leads by WhatsApp and phone, prepare shortlists.
- Weekends: viewings, which is when most buyers are available anyway.
- Launch events: off-plan launches often happen in the evening or at weekends.
The challenge is responsiveness: buyers in Dubai expect quick answers. Part-time agents usually focus on a niche, one community or one nationality, to stay efficient.
The simplest part-time option: property referrals
If you mainly want an extra income, referring buyers is the lightest option. You pass on the contact, and a licensed team handles the advice, viewings and paperwork. With Sofara, the team is Cevitas Real Estate LLC, and you follow every lead in your dashboard.
| Property price | Your commission at 2.5% | Your commission at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| AED 900,000 | AED 22,500 | AED 27,000 |
| AED 1,500,000 | AED 37,500 | AED 45,000 |
| AED 2,500,000 | AED 62,500 | AED 75,000 |
The commission is earned when the buyer signs the SPA and pays the down payment with the DLD fees, then paid in AED within 7 days of the developer paying Cevitas. Learn more about side income in Dubai from property referrals.
Who does well part-time
- Professionals with a large network: bankers, consultants, HR and relocation specialists.
- Community leaders and content creators with an audience interested in Dubai.
- Expats who are often asked by friends and family back home how to buy in Dubai.