Required certification · United Arab Emirates
Dubai BIM Mandate
Dubai Municipality's BIM model requirement for large and specialised building applications
Market position
Dubai Municipality announced in an October 2023 circular that from 1 January 2024 it would accept planning applications for a wide range of buildings only with a BIM model, as reported by Global Construction Review. Architectural models are required for buildings over 20 floors or complexes over 20,000 sq m, structural models for buildings over 40 floors or complexes over 30,000 sq m, and models are also needed for hospitals, universities and all government projects. Models must follow the Dubai Building Code and the Dubai BIM standard, published on the Dubai Building Standard platform.
United Arab Emirates-specific note
If you design buildings in Dubai above these thresholds, or for hospitals, universities or government clients, the planning application needs a BIM model to the Dubai BIM standard. Check the current circular on the Dubai Building Standard platform before bidding, as this entry relies on the 2023 announcement.
Pros
- + Published size thresholds for when a model is required
- + Projects below the thresholds, other than hospitals, universities and government work, are not covered
- + One Dubai BIM standard used alongside the Dubai Building Code
Cons
- − Requires BIM-capable design software and staff
- − Adds modelling work before the planning application
- − Covers all government projects regardless of size
Typical United Arab Emirates pricing
No separate BIM fee found; the model is submitted as part of the planning application.
Why this matters for United Arab Emirates trades
Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, contracting work in Dubai needs a trade licence and entry in Dubai Municipality’s Contractors Register, while federal MOEI e-qualification covers only MOEI’s own engineering projects. VAT is 5%, with registration mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months. E-invoicing follows a decentralised model based on the OpenPeppol standard: under Ministerial Decision No. 244 of 2025, as amended by Ministerial Resolution No. 66 of 2026, each business appoints an Accredited Service Provider from the Ministry of Finance list (by 30 October 2026 for revenue of AED 50 million or more, implementing by 1 January 2027; by 31 March 2027 for smaller businesses, implementing by 1 July 2027). MOHRE sets Emiratisation targets for companies with 50 or more employees and for companies with 20-49 employees in 14 sectors, and in Abu Dhabi a building permit needs an Estidama Pearl rating (at least one Pearl for private projects, two for government-funded ones).
UAE construction and trades software selection is shaped by 5% VAT filed with the Federal Tax Authority through EmaraTax, the phased e-invoicing mandate run through accredited Peppol service providers (under Ministry of Finance decisions, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more implement it by 1 January 2027 and smaller businesses by 1 July 2027), MOHRE Emiratisation targets, separate regulatory systems in Dubai (Dubai Municipality’s Contractors Register and its BIM requirement for large and specialised buildings) and Abu Dhabi (DMT classification, permits and the Estidama Pearl rating), and AED pricing.
Frequently asked
Is Dubai BIM Mandate a good fit for United Arab Emirates trades?
Dubai Municipality announced in an October 2023 circular that from 1 January 2024 it would accept planning applications for a wide range of buildings only with a BIM model, as reported by Global Construction Review. Architectural models are required for buildings over 20 floors or complexes over 20,000 sq m, structural models for buildings over 40 floors or complexes over 30,000 sq m, and models are also needed for hospitals, universities and all government projects. Models must follow the Dubai Building Code and the Dubai BIM standard, published on the Dubai Building Standard platform. If you design buildings in Dubai above these thresholds, or for hospitals, universities or government clients, the planning application needs a BIM model to the Dubai BIM standard. Check the current circular on the Dubai Building Standard platform before bidding, as this entry relies on the 2023 announcement.
What does Dubai BIM Mandate cost in United Arab Emirates?
No separate BIM fee found; the model is submitted as part of the planning application. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current United Arab Emirates pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other United Arab Emirates vendors
Dubai Municipality (Contractor Licensing)
Required certification
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI)
Required certification
UAE VAT (Federal Tax Authority)
Required certification
UAE E-Invoicing (Peppol)
Required certification
MOHRE & Emiratisation (Nafis)
Required certification
Abu Dhabi DMT & Estidama
Required certification