How to make an Ejari in Dubai:
register step by step in 2026
How do you make an Ejari in Dubai? Open the Dubai REST app, log in with UAE Pass, choose Register Ejari, upload your signed tenancy contract, Emirates IDs and Title Deed, and pay AED 177.75 — the certificate is emailed the same day, usually within minutes. Ejari is Dubai's mandatory tenancy registration system, operated by the Dubai Land Department (DLD): without it you cannot connect DEWA, renew a residency visa or file a rental dispute. This guide covers the online application step by step, the documents required, the 2026 fees, and what the Ejari number on your certificate actually means.
Do you have all required documents?
- Signed tenancy contract (DLD format)
- Tenant's Emirates ID
- Landlord's Emirates ID (or passport)
- Title Deed of the property
- Previous Ejari certificate (renewal only)
Choose your registration method
Download Dubai REST and log in
Navigate to "Register Ejari"
Upload your documents
| Tenancy contract | Must use DLD standard format |
| Tenant Emirates ID | Front side, valid and not expired |
| Landlord Emirates ID | Or passport if non-UAE resident |
| Title Deed | Property address must match contract exactly |
| Previous Ejari certificate | Renewals only |
Pay the registration fee
| Online (Dubai REST / DLD website) | AED 177.75 incl. VAT |
| Typing centre (walk-in) | AED 219.75 incl. VAT |
Is the application approved?
Ejari certificate issued — you're done
→ Activate DEWA using your Ejari number
→ File a case at the Rental Dispute Centre if a problem with your landlord comes up
What is the Ejari number?
- DEWA Move In — enter the Ejari number together with the 9-digit DEWA premise number when you activate electricity and water. DEWA needs both: Ejari proves the tenancy, the premise number identifies the unit.
- Residency visas — GDRFA asks for a valid Ejari certificate when you sponsor family members or renew a visa.
- School registration — Dubai schools request the Ejari certificate as proof of address.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register Ejari online?
Open the Dubai REST app (or the DLD website), log in with UAE Pass, go to Services → Real Estate Services → Ejari → Register Ejari, upload your signed tenancy contract, Emirates IDs and Title Deed, then pay AED 177.75. The certificate is emailed the same day, usually within minutes.
Can I apply for Ejari online without visiting a typing centre?
Yes. The whole application is done online through the Dubai REST app or the Dubai Land Department website — no office visit is needed. Online registration costs AED 177.75 versus AED 219.75 at a typing centre, and takes about 10 minutes. You only need a UAE Pass account to log in.
What documents are required for Ejari registration?
You need the signed tenancy contract in DLD format, the tenant's Emirates ID, the landlord's Emirates ID or passport copy, and the property's Title Deed. For renewals, add the previous Ejari certificate. Upload clear photos or PDFs — the property address on the contract must exactly match the Title Deed.
What is an Ejari number?
The Ejari number is the unique registration number printed at the top of your Ejari certificate. It identifies the registration of your tenancy contract with the Dubai Land Department, not the property itself. You will need it for DEWA activation, residency visa applications, and school registration.
Where do I find my Ejari number?
It is printed at the top of your Ejari certificate — the PDF you receive by email once registration is approved. You can also re-download the certificate at any time from the Dubai REST app under your registered contracts.
What does an Ejari number look like?
A typical Ejari number follows the format 22-99999/2026 — a short prefix, a serial number, and the registration year. It is not the same as the 9-digit DEWA premise number, which identifies the property. Every new or renewed contract gets a brand-new Ejari number.
Which number does DEWA need — the Ejari number or the premise number?
Both. During DEWA Move In you enter your Ejari number to prove the tenancy is registered, plus the 9-digit DEWA premise number that identifies the property. The premise number is printed on your Ejari certificate as Premises No. (DEWA).
Is Ejari registration mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 requires every tenancy contract to be registered with Ejari. Without registration, DEWA cannot connect utilities, residency visas cannot be renewed, and you have no standing at the Rental Dispute Centre. Penalty for non-registration is up to AED 50,000.
How long does Ejari registration take?
Online registration via the Dubai REST app is instant — the certificate is emailed as soon as documents are approved and AED 177.75 is paid. At a typing centre it usually takes 15–30 minutes plus the AED 219.75 fee.
Who pays for Ejari registration — landlord or tenant?
UAE law does not specify who pays. It is negotiated between the parties and should be written into the tenancy contract. In practice, the tenant pays in most Dubai contracts.