Remote deal: power of attorney, escrow, what to sign

Fully remote property deals became standard after 2020. Here's what actually works in 2026 across our three destinations.

Format 1: POA-based deal

You issue a power of attorney to a representative (lawyer, broker, agent) in the country of purchase. Signed at a notary in Russia, then **apostilled** (Ministry of Justice, 5–7 days, ~30 USD), then translated by a sworn translator in the destination.

• **UAE:** apostille is recognized; additionally need Arabic translation by an accredited bureau (200 AED) and legalization at Dubai MoFA (200 AED). Total 3–4 weeks.
• **Vietnam:** apostille has been accepted since 2023, consular legalization no longer required. Translation by sworn bureau in Hanoi or HCMC.
• **Indonesia (Bali):** apostille recognized since 2022. Translation by sworn translator (penerjemah tersumpah). POA is granted to a PT PMA or nominee for Hak Pakai registration.

Keep the POA **narrow**: only specific actions on a specific property, capped amount, 6-month expiry. No open-ended "do anything on my behalf".

Format 2: DocuSign / Adobe Sign signatures

In UAE, electronic signatures on SPA are accepted by DLD since 2021 under the Electronic Transactions Law. Workflow: you receive the SPA by email, sign via DocuSign, the broker submits at a trustee office with a passport copy. No physical presence needed.

In Vietnam, e-signatures are accepted in limited scope. Developers usually courier the paper original (DHL), you sign and return apostilled. 10–14 days.

Bali: same — wet-ink signature, courier, apostille.

Format 3: escrow and how it protects you

**Escrow** is a third-party bank account where the buyer parks funds. The seller only receives them when deal conditions are met: title transfer, key handover, acceptance.

• **UAE:** off-plan must be sold via escrow since 2007. You pay to the project account at a local bank, funds are released to the developer as construction progresses under RERA supervision. Protection: if the project stalls, funds return proportionally to unfinished work.
• **Vietnam:** escrow isn't mandatory, but top developers (Sun Group, Vingroup, Novaland) park funds on dedicated bank accounts overseen by state banks (Vietcombank, BIDV). Smaller players are risky. Demand a bank guarantee — mandatory under the 2014 law.
• **Bali:** no escrow institution. Funds go directly to seller / notaris. Protection is via the notaris (local notary), who holds the transfer deed in deposit until Hak Pakai is re-registered. Choose a notaris with 15+ years of practice, office in Denpasar or Kuta.

What gets signed remotely

1. **Reservation Form** — booking, paid at reservation. 2. **SPA / Contract of Sale** — main agreement. 3. **Escrow Agreement** — where applicable. 4. **POA** — if acting through a representative. 5. **Payment schedule** — for off-plan. 6. **NOC application** — UAE secondary market. 7. **Handover Protocol** — acceptance act. 8. **Title Deed / Certificate of Ownership** — final document.

All documents must reach your email as PDF **before** the deposit. No "we'll show you on-site". Have your lawyer review them for 300–500 USD — that's your insurance.

Common pitfalls

• **Double sale** — same off-plan unit sold twice. Check: DLD registry screenshot or paper booking certificate from developer.
• **"Dead" POA** — the representative disappears after receiving the POA. Mitigation: grant POA to a legal entity (agent company), not a natural person.
• **Transfer to "manager's personal account"** — 100% scam. Money goes only to escrow or the seller/developer's legal entity.
• **Apostille delays** — the Russian Ministry sometimes needs 10–15 days instead of 5. Plan a buffer.

Remote deals work. The key: narrow POA, clear escrow structure, and a lawyer who reads the SPA before signing.