What Oqood Is and Why It Exists
This is one of four spoke posts inside our Dubai Land Department complete investor guide.
Oqood
(Arabic for 'contracts') is the formal initial registration certificate the Dubai Land Department issues for [off-plan property](/learn/glossary/off-plan-property) purchases. It records your contractual right to a specific unit during the construction period, before a title [deed](/learn/glossary/deed) can issue. UAE Law No. 13 of 2008 made [Oqood registration](/learn/glossary/oqood-registration) mandatory for all off-plan sales in Dubai.
Without an Oqood reference, you have no DLD-recorded right to the unit. A developer who collects payments without registering Oqood has the buyer in a legally precarious position: there is no public record that the unit has been sold to you. This guide covers what Oqood records, how to verify it, and what to do if a developer cannot produce one.
What an Oqood Records
An Oqood certificate contains:
- The project name and RERA registration number - The specific unit reference (building, floor, unit number) - The buyer name and ID number - The total purchase price agreed - The payment plan structure - The expected handover date - The project escrow account details
Oqood is held in the DLD register and accessible via the Dubai REST mobile app. Buyers can pull their Oqood digitally without visiting a DLD office.
Oqood vs Title Deed: The Key Difference
| Feature | Oqood | Title Deed |
|---|---|---|
| When issued | At off-plan SPA registration | At project handover |
| Conveys ownership | Contractual right only | Full freehold ownership |
| Allows resale | Yes, with developer NOC | Yes, freely |
| Allows mortgage | Limited, developer-financed | Full bank financing available |
| Used for Golden Visa | Yes (Feb 2026 federal circular) | Yes |
| Used for 2-year visa | No (title deed required) | Yes |
The April 2026 visa rule change matters here: Golden Visa eligibility now accepts Oqood-recorded value as the qualifying metric. The 2-year investor visa still requires a DLD-issued title deed.
How to Verify Your Oqood
Open the Dubai REST app and authenticate with UAE Pass or Emirates ID..
Navigate to 'My Properties' and look for the Oqood reference matching your unit..
Cross-check the recorded purchase price, unit reference, and escrow account number against your SPA.
Discrepancies need immediate attention with the developer.
Note the Oqood reference number for future use.
You will need it for any developer NOC, resale, or visa application.
If you do not see your Oqood within 30 days of SPA signing, contact the developer immediately. Persistent inability to produce an Oqood is a serious diligence signal warranting RERA escalation.
How Oqood Protects You
Oqood plus the project escrow account form the two-layer protection framework for off-plan buyers in Dubai.
If the developer attempts to sell the same unit to another buyer, the second sale will be rejected at DLD because the unit is already Oqood-registered to you.
If the developer fails to deliver, the Oqood record establishes your formal claim against the project. RERA uses Oqood to identify legitimate buyers when intervening in failed projects, distinguishing them from claimants without registration.
If you want to resell during construction (assignment of contract), Oqood is the document the new buyer's bank or lawyer will request to verify your underlying right.
Read more: DLD Escrow and RERA Trust Account Explained.
Oqood Fees
Oqood registration is bundled inside the standard DLD 4 percent transaction fee paid at off-plan purchase. There is no separate Oqood-specific fee. Some developers charge AED 1,000 to 2,500 in administrative fees for processing the Oqood paperwork; this is developer-side, not DLD-side.
Oqood reissuance (if lost) costs AED 250 through Dubai REST.
When Things Go Wrong
Three Oqood-related red flags every off-plan buyer should know.
First, developer cannot produce Oqood within 30 days of SPA signing and full first instalment payment. This is a serious flag. Escalate to RERA.
Second, Oqood records a different purchase price than your SPA. This indicates either administrative error or an attempt to misreport for fees. Insist on correction.
Third, Oqood records a different unit (different floor or unit number) than your SPA. This needs immediate developer correction; do not wait for handover to discover the error.
How Oliva Helps
Oliva verifies Oqood registration on every off-plan project we list. Independent verification, no paid placements.
Browse scored off-plan projects
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Oqood and a title deed?
Oqood is the DLD-issued initial registration certificate for off-plan property and records your contractual right during construction. A title deed conveys full freehold ownership and issues only at project handover. Oqood is replaced by the title deed at handover.
Is Oqood mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. UAE Law No. 13 of 2008 makes Oqood registration mandatory for all off-plan property sales in Dubai. A developer collecting payments without registering Oqood is operating outside the legal framework.
How do I check my Oqood?
Use the Dubai REST mobile app, authenticate with UAE Pass or Emirates ID, and navigate to My Properties. Your Oqood will appear with the unit reference, purchase price, and escrow account details.
Can I get a Golden Visa with just an Oqood?
Yes, since the February 2026 federal policy circular. Golden Visa applicants for off-plan property now use the Oqood-recorded value (AED 2M+) as the qualifying metric. The 2-year investor visa still requires a DLD-issued title deed.
What if the developer cannot produce my Oqood?
First, formally request the Oqood in writing. Second, escalate to RERA via the Dubai REST app or DLD complaint channel. Persistent inability to produce Oqood after 30 days post-SPA-signing is a serious flag that may indicate developer non-compliance.
Can I resell an off-plan unit that only has Oqood?
Yes, through assignment of contract. The new buyer takes over your SPA and a fresh Oqood is issued in their name. Most developers require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and a fee of 1 to 4 percent of the original purchase price for assignment processing.
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Dubai Land Department: The Complete 2026 Investor Guide (Dubai Land Department)
DLD Escrow and RERA Trust Accounts: The Off-Plan Protection Framework Explained
How to Verify a Dubai Developer with DLD: A Five-Check Diligence Workflow
Majan Off-Plan or Ready in 2026: Investor Decision
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