In 2020, like many others, I was stuck in Dubai during the pandemic. Flights were grounded, borders were closed, and I had nowhere to go. At first, it was frustrating. But slowly, I started seeing something else — opportunity.
I noticed real estate prices in Dubai were dropping significantly. Properties were selling for far below market value. And being Russian, I started thinking: What if I buy now? What if this is the right time to enter the Dubai property market?
So I bought a unit. Then another. I wasn’t a broker, just someone with a bit of savings and a gut instinct. I told some friends back in Moscow about it, and they got excited too. They asked me, “Can you help us buy as well?”
And that’s when the idea hit me — maybe I could start a real estate business focused on Russian buyers.
I met some consultants and asked for the cheapest way to start. One of them recommended IFZA — a Free Zone. It sounded great:
I got my license and started calling big developers like Damac, Emaar, Danube — ready to register and bring clients.
But I hit a wall.
Every developer asked for a RERA broker certificate to register and earn commissions. No problem, I thought. I contacted RERA.
They refused.
Why? Because I had a Free Zone license.
They told me:
“You’re only allowed to do real estate transactions abroad — not within the UAE. Your license activity is for foreign markets only, not local buying or selling.”
The activity literally said:
1122378 – Real Estate Buying & Selling Brokerage Abroad
"Includes firms engaged in real estate brokerage or agency services — mainly involving properties outside the UAE."
I was shocked. I had already spent my savings. My visa was tied to this company. I couldn’t even do business inside the country where I lived.
Frustrated, I started searching online for someone who could explain this mess properly — not just sell me a license. That’s when I found CSPZone and booked a free consultation with Mr. Mohammed Shuheb.
For the first time, someone listened to my full story — not just what I wanted, but why I wanted it.
He explained:
“To do real estate within Dubai and earn commission from developers, you need a mainland license, with the correct RERA-approved activity. Anything else is a dead end.”
It finally made sense.
I followed their guidance and set up a Dubai Mainland license with the correct activities:
It cost me around $10,000, including virtual office and license.
But here’s the twist — once my license was ready, I registered with all the major developers within days.
And in the first 30 days, I closed deals that earned me more than I had spent.
It’s been over two years now.
That failure taught me everything. Today, I run a registered mainland real estate firm with over 30 brokers under me. We specialize in working with Russian and CIS investors.
I didn’t plan this. I started by accident. But now it’s my main business and the biggest source of income in my life.
Dubai has given me:
This country is a land of opportunity, not just for the rich — but for anyone who’s ready to do it right.
So if you’re thinking of starting your own business here, don’t repeat my mistake.
Take proper advice.
Don’t look for “cheap.”
Look for correct.
Thank you, CSPZone, for putting me on the right track.
– Dmitri Ivanov
Disclaimer: This is a real story from one of our clients. For confidentiality, names and minor details have been changed. This blog is intended purely for educational purposes — not to promote or market any individual or company.
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