Guides · UAE · Dubai
How do I get a move-in permit in Dubai?
By Ahmed Elrayes · Updated
Most Dubai communities require a move-in permit from the community manager before a tenant can bring furniture in: Dubai Holding Community Management via its community app (48 hours ahead), Emaar via mip.sakani.ae (one business day), Nakheel via My Nakheel, and JLT towers via the building's OA portal. All require the Ejari, Emirates ID and passport, and the landlord's service charges to be settled.
Why permits exist
Under Law 6/2019 the master developer or management company runs the common areas and gate. Permits confirm the tenancy is registered, dues are paid, and the move is scheduled for lifts and loading bays. Without one, access is denied at the gate.
What each manager asks for
DHCM (Nakheel, Meraas, Dubai Properties communities — three separate portals; a request on the wrong one is not forwarded): passport, visa, Emirates ID, full Ejari, vehicles, mover details; 48 hours via the app or 72 by email; move-out needs Ejari and ID and is processed only when service fees are paid.
Emaar (ECM): Move-in Permit through mip.sakani.ae or Emaar One at least one business day ahead with Ejari, Emirates ID and passport; tenants cannot apply while the landlord's service fees are outstanding; contractors need a CAP permit with QR from ecmpermits.ae.
Nakheel communities (JVC, Palm, Jumeirah Park): My Nakheel app with a verified tenant profile; passport, visa, Emirates ID, up to 5 vehicles, Ejari, mover's trade licence, recent DEWA bill; 24 hours' notice.
JLT and other owner-association towers: the building's OA portal — Ejari, IDs, service-charge settlement confirmation, a refundable deposit cheque and a service-lift booking; move-out needs the owner's NOC.
Fees and timing
Move permits are generally free; deposits and contractor fees vary by building and are mostly documented by movers and consultants rather than official pages — treat quoted amounts as unverified until the manager confirms. Allow the notice period plus a working day.
How Leasifys helps
Leasifys keeps the community's rule profile per unit and opens a permit checklist when a lease starts or ends: documents to collect (the Ejari and tenant ID copies are already on the lease), the portal to submit to, the notice countdown, the fee or deposit to log and the evidence to upload. Submission stays on the manager's portal.
Information from the laws and official portals as at the date shown, not legal advice. Check figures on the official channel before acting.