"When can I start selling?" is every developer's question, because financing, the marketing plan and even the land price are tied to the licence date. The answer passes through several stages, some with statutory durations set in the implementing regulations, and some depending on how ready your file is. The difference between a licence issued in weeks and one that stretches for months usually lies in preparation before applying. This guide explains the stages and their durations, the common causes of delay, how to save time, and what you can do during the marketing licence. For the full picture: The complete guide to the Wafi platform.
Stages and Durations
| Stage | Duration or rule |
|---|---|
| Registration in the developers' register | Depends on meeting the points criteria |
| Project marketing licence | The authority decides within 10 working days of the request being complete, and it lasts no more than 180 days |
| Project licence | After meeting the requirements of Article 11 |
| Escrow account | Activated after licensing and annotation of the deed. Read: The escrow account and buyer protection |
Common Causes of Delay
- Insufficient evaluation points for the project's size. See the points table in: The complete Wafi guide.
- A delayed compliance letter from Etmam or the building permit authority due to comments on the drawings. Read: The most common engineering file comments.
- No sorting record for a project with sorted units. Read: Off-plan unit sorting.
- Ownership not ready: a deed not updated, or mortgaged land; annotating a mortgaged property's deed requires the mortgagee's consent. Read: Updating a paper deed.
- Incomplete agreements with the consultant, accountant or bank.
- An incomplete feasibility study.
How to Save Time
- Prepare the engineering file with full compliance before applying. Read: Engineering documents and Engineering file review.
- Appoint the consultant and accountant early. Read: The consulting office in Wafi.
- Use the marketing licence to start reservations within the statutory limit.
- Update the deed and release the mortgage, or obtain the mortgagee's consent, early.
- Prepare the sorting plan before selling. Read: The sorting plan before sales.
A Suggested Work Plan
- Assess readiness: ownership, points and the engineering file.
- Resolve gaps in parallel, not in sequence.
- Apply for the marketing licence while continuing to prepare the project licence requirements.
- Complete the compliance letter, sorting record and agreements.
- Apply for the project licence and activate the escrow account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell during the marketing licence?
Reservation amounts of no more than 5% of the unit's value may be received and deposited in the escrow account, under Article 10.
What if the marketing licence expires without a project licence?
The authority returns the amounts deposited in the escrow account to their owners.
Which stage is usually the longest?
Usually preparing the engineering file and obtaining the compliance letter, because both depend on complete, consistent drawings.
Can the marketing licence be renewed?
Its duration does not exceed 180 days under the regulations; check with the authority about any extension.
Does a mortgage delay the licence?
It may, because annotating a mortgaged property's deed requires the mortgagee's consent.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that assesses your project's readiness for Wafi, prepares the engineering file and sorting plan in parallel with the other requirements, and follows the compliance letter to shorten the licensing time. See our Wafi licence file preparation service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.