The Wakala Guide: How Syrians Abroad Buy and Sell Property Without Flying Home

For the millions of Syrians living abroad, one document makes remote property deals possible: the wakala (وكالة) — the power of attorney. Done right, it lets a trusted person in Syria sign, register, and complete a purchase or sale on your behalf while you stay in Dubai, Berlin, or Toronto. Done carelessly, it hands someone open-ended control over your assets. This guide covers how to issue one safely.

What Is a Wakala — and Which Type Do You Need?

• General wakala (وكالة عامة): broad authority over your affairs. Convenient, but far more power than a property deal needs — avoid it for real estate unless you have a very specific reason.
• Special wakala (وكالة خاصة): limited to a defined act — for example, "sell apartment No. X in the Y registry area." This is what you want for property transactions.

The golden rule: give the narrowest wakala that still gets the job done.

Issuing a Wakala at a Syrian Embassy: Step by Step

• 1. Book an appointment at the Syrian embassy or consulate serving your country, and confirm the required documents — typically your Syrian passport or national ID.
• 2. Prepare the text precisely. You will need your agent's full name, mother's name, and national number, plus a precise description of the authorized act and, ideally, the specific property. Vague wording is what enables abuse.
• 3. Sign before the consul. The wakala is drawn up and signed in person; fees vary by embassy.
• 4. Certification in Syria. Before it can be used at the land registry, the wakala is certified through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Syria. Your agent usually handles this step.

Only after certification can your agent act on it — factor the full timeline into your deal.

Choosing Your Agent (الوكيل) — and Limiting the Power

Most people appoint a family member; others use a lawyer. Whoever it is, build the limits into the document itself:

• Name the specific property. A wakala to "sell my apartment in X" cannot be reused on your other assets.
• Exclude re-delegation (توكيل الغير) unless you genuinely need it — otherwise your agent can pass the power to someone you have never met.
• Set an expiry date tied to the expected timeline of the deal.
• Consider a minimum sale price written into the wakala, so the property cannot be sold below your floor.
• Decide who receives the money. You can authorize the sale while keeping payment routed to you directly — the wakala does not have to include receiving the price.

Revoking a Wakala

A wakala is not forever. You can revoke it (عزل الوكيل) through a notary in Syria or via the embassy abroad. If you ever lose confidence in your agent, revoke first and discuss later — and make sure the revocation is registered so third parties are on notice.

Staying Safe From a Distance

• Verify before you buy. Have your agent obtain a fresh land-registry extract and walk through our ownership verification checklist before any money moves.
• Know the scams. Remote buyers are prime targets — read the 8 red flags every buyer must know.
• Join the key moments by video call — the signing, the handover, the payment — and keep copies of every document as scans.
• Use professionals. A lawyer reviewing the contract is cheap insurance on a six-figure asset.

Selling Inherited Property From Abroad

Inherited property adds one layer: the inheritance inventory (حصر إرث) must be completed first, and every heir must consent to the sale. Heirs abroad each provide their own wakala. The most common deadlock in diaspora sales is a single heir who never got around to issuing one — start that process early.

How AqaarGate Helps Expats

AqaarGate was built with the diaspora in mind: browse verified listings with real photos and full details from anywhere, deal with verified agents, and shortlist properties before involving your wakeel. For the legal background on who can own property in Syria, see our guide for expats and foreign buyers, and why so many are buying now in why Syrian expats are buying back home.