Guide · Advertising rules · 5 min

RERA broker card vs Trakheesi permit: DLD service distinction

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By the allrealestate editorial team

DLD publishes professional practice cards and real-estate advertising permits as different Trakheesi service areas. The professional-practice-card service covers the real-estate broker card and issues an e-card after its own application, acceptance and payment process. The Real Estate Ad Permit service has a separate category selection, document review, payment and e-permit-certificate workflow for property advertising.

Two DLD services, not one approval

DLD's Brokerage Practice Guide names professional practice cards and real-estate permits among the Trakheesi services. That shared system does not make them the same service. The DLD professional-practice-card page covers the real-estate broker card, while the Real Estate Ad Permit page controls the advertising-permit route.

Use the live service that matches the action. A broker-card question concerns the licensing and professional-practice path. A public property-advertising question concerns the permit category, documents, review and e-permit certificate. Do not infer a result in one workflow from a completed step in the other.

DLD's broker-card path

DLD's Real Estate Licensing Application service says to submit the licence application through Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, register it in Trakheesi, and apply for a Real Estate Activity Practice Card after licence approval. The card service then lists login and service selection, document submission, system acceptance, payment and e-card printing.

DLD currently lists AED 500 for issuing a real-estate broker card and states that its validity is linked to the trade licence. The live card service, not this comparison, is the source for current eligibility, documents, examination conditions and payment.

DLD's advertising-permit path

DLD's Brokerage Practice Guide says brokerages must obtain a permit for real-estate advertising or marketing material through Trakheesi and display the permit number on the advertisement. Its Real Estate Ad Permit service lists advertising categories including electronic advertisements, online advertisements, billboards, promotional campaigns and open-house events.

The published advertising path is: select the desired Trakheesi service, fill in information and documents, receive review and approval, select a payment method, and receive the e-permit certificate. DLD's live page gives a one-working-day service time, but the actual category and documents still matter.

A safe way to handle the distinction

  • For licensing or practice-card status, use DLD's professional-practice-card service.
  • For a property-advertising campaign, use the live Real Estate Ad Permit service and select the actual category.
  • For an issued e-copy, use DLD's Verify License and Permits website/app service rather than treating a displayed number as proof on its own.

Sources and a note

Source: Dubai Land Department: Issuance of a Real Estate Professional Practice Card

Source: Dubai Land Department: Real Estate Ad Permit

Source: Dubai Land Department: Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide

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Frequently asked

Is a RERA broker card the same as a Trakheesi advertising permit?+

No. DLD publishes professional practice cards and real-estate advertising permits as different Trakheesi service areas with separate published workflows.

How much is a real-estate broker card in Dubai?+

DLD currently lists AED 500 for issuing a real-estate broker card. Its service page separately lists broker-exam and ERES fees, so verify the live total before applying.

What does the Trakheesi Real Estate Ad Permit service do?+

It is DLD's category-based service for real-estate advertising permits. DLD publishes a separate service selection, document, review, payment and e-permit-certificate workflow.

How can I verify an issued DLD e-copy?+

Use DLD's Verify License and Permits service through the DLD website or Dubai REST app. It is the official route for verifying e-copies issued through Trakheesi.

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