Al Wajeez

Business Registration and Licensing Sector at the

Department of Economic Development in Dubai
provides various services to investors and those
interested in carrying out a business activity in the
Emirate. The services involve a number of procedures,
steps and information necessary for practicing the
business perfectly in many legal forms customized
to suit each category. Al Wajeez handbook includes
most of the legal forms related to the commercial,
industrial and professional licenses as well as the
requirements and conditions for such forms and the
respective Fees.

Al Wajeez handbook contains

the following details:
1 Information about the important general requirements
for business registration and licensing.
2 Common legal forms and other main procedures.
3 A list of Fees related to the business registration
and licensing.
4 How to contact us, DEDs branches locations in Dubai,
approved document clearing services centers and
banks.

First: General Information

Appointment contract of Local Services Agent duly authenticated (for the civil
establishments and companies that are 100 % owned by non-GCC nationals). The
service agent must be a UAE national.
Any approvals from other relevant authorities required to practice the intended
business activity.
Then, the license will be issued and printed after payment of the prescribed fees (as
set out later). The commercial registration certificate will also be printed out according
to the type of the license.

Many legal forms and procedures require a few steps and documents. Below is a list of the procedures
arranged in order of priority:

The documents required for issuing new licenses in general are as follows:
I. Obtain an initial approval:
You have to fill in the Business Registration and Licensings form (available on DEDs website, branches
and approved document clearing services centers).
A copy of licensees passport.
A copy of the UAE nationals family book or ID card.
A copy of the applicants residence permit / visa details (for non- GCC nationals).
No objection letter from the applicants current sponsor (for non-GCC nationals) to practice business
activity. vO
Permission from the Dubai Courts to practice business activity for applicants under 21 years old (in the
sole proprietorships and local service agents).
Approval issued by other government authorities depending on the type of activity, if required.
* You can apply for the initial approval online through DEDs website.

License Renewal

The license may be renewed through online services at DEDs website or the smart
phones application Business in Dubai.

You can apply for the services through the following

channels:

Note: Having obtained an initial approval, the applicant can reserve a suitable trade name through DEDs
website; however, a trade name may be booked earlier.

DEDs website: www.dubaided.gov.ae

DEDs branches *.
DEDs approved document clearing services centers *.
You can also pay the due fees at DEDs approved banks*.

II. After the initial approval and booking a trade name, you need to submit the following:

Initial approval receipt and all documents submitted earlier.

A copy of the tenancy contract duly authenticated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

A Memorandum of Association duly authenticated (for all types of companies).

* Refer to the last page for more information.

Second: Common legal forms and the main procedures:

#

Legal Form/Procedure

Sole Proprietorship

5
6

Sole Proprietorship

Page No.

Civil Company

Limited Liability Company

General Partnership

10

Public Shareholding Company

11

Private Shareholding Company

13

Government Liaison Office

14

Representative Office

15

Branch of a Local Company

16

10

Branch of a Foreign Company

17

11

Branch of a Free Zone Company

18

12

Booking a trade name

19

13

License cancellation

20

14

Cancellation of a companys license that has been expired for more

than 2 years.

23

15

Business suspension of expired licenses

24

16

Amalgamation

25

17

Mortgage

26

What is a sole proprietorship?

A sole proprietorship is a business owned by one person, which can carry out commercial, professional, and
industrial activities. This person will own 100% of the business, control all of its operations and keep 100% of
any profits. He or she will also be 100% responsible for business debts and any other financial obligations.

What is the category eligible for setting up a sole proprietorship?

UAE and GCC nationals may practice any of the businesses falling within this legal form, providing that all
requirements and conditions are met.

Other countries nationals may hold only professional licenses under this legal form, providing that a UAE
local service agent is appointed.

What are the documents required for the registration of a sole

proprietorship? *
A local service agent agreement duly authenticated by the Notary Public is required for issuing a professional
license to a non-GCC national.
* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

Civil Company
What is a civil company?
A civil company is a business partnership for professionals in recognized fields such as: tailors or beauty
salonsetc.

What is the category eligible for setting up a civil company?

UAE nationals may practice any of the businesses falling within this legal form, providing that all

requirements and conditions are met.

Two or more GCC nationals may set up a civil business company to practice a specific profession

without a Local Service Agent. However, if there are any partners who are not GCC nationals, a Local
Services Agent who is a UAE national must be appointed and/or included as a partner.
If a partner is a legal person, its business activity must be the same as of the Companys.
Two nationals, of other Arab or foreign counties, may set up a civil company, providing that a UAE local
service agent be appointed or entered as a partner.
The agent can be a company provided that all its parties must be UAE nationals.

What are the documents required for the registration of a civil company? *
A civil company contract duly authenticated by the notary public.
A local service agent contract duly authenticated by the notary public for non-GCC nationals.
* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

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A limited Liability Company

Unless otherwise stated in the MOA, the company manager shall enjoy full powers of administration, and
his acts shall be binding to the company, provided that it is supported with stating the capacity he enjoys.
The manager's resolution shall be as responsible as that of the company board, and all conditions in the
company contract contrary to that shall be invalid.

What is a limited Liability Company?

Establishing a limited liability company requires a minimum of two and a maximum of 50 members. Each
of the partners shall only be liable to the extent of his share in the capital. The partners participation
should not be represented by negotiable certificates.

What is the category eligible for setting up a limited liability company?

Other than insurance and banking activities, the LLC shall be entitled to practice any legal business.
The company may not resort to public subscription to make up its capital or to increase it or to get the
necessary loans, and it may not issue any negotiable stocks or shares.

UAE and GCC nationals are eligible for setting up a company falling within this legal form.
Other counties nationals may set up a limited liability company to practice a commercial, industrial or
professional business provided that there should be one or more UAE partner and his/their share(s) must
not be less than 51 % of the paid-up share capital.

The company shall have a sufficient capital divided into equal shares, to be determined by its partners, to
achieve the purpose for which the company has been set up.
Shares may not be divided, and if several people owned it, they shall choose one to be an individual owner
against the company, and it may fix for the share owners a time for such selection, provided that after that
date, the share may be sold to its owners, in which case partners shall enjoy a priority in purchase.

A company incorporated inside or outside UAE may set up a limited liability company to practice a
commercial or industrial business provided that there should be one or more UAE or GCC partners and his/
their share(s) should not be less than 51 % and the partners of the company must be from the same country.

Losses and profits shall be divided equally among shares unless otherwise herein stated.

The activities falling within a limited liability company:

The share of each partner shall be transferred to his heirs and the ones mentioned in the will shall be
treated as heirs.

All commercial and industrial activities as well as most of professional activities except for consultants,
advocates and auditors. .

A limited liability company can be managed by a manager / managers that may be selected from the
partners or any other parties providing that they do not exceed a total of five persons.

What are the documents required for setting up a limited liability company? *

The manager / managers shall be appointed by memorandum of association or by a separate management

contract for limited/unlimited terms. If the manager/managers are not appointed as stated in the above
paragraph, the General Assembly of the partners will appoint them.

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

Public Shareholding Company

General Partnership
What is a general partnership?
General partnerships are formed by two or more UAE nationals who are jointly and separately liable for
its debts.
Only UAE nationals are allowed to be partners in a general partnership.
The name of the business must contain the name of one or more of the partners, with the addition of a
word signifying that it is the name of a business. If a non-partner is named in the business name, with
his or her knowledge, that individual is jointly responsible for the businesss debts.
All partners shall be considered dealers, and the bankruptcy of any partner leads to the bankruptcy of
all partners.
The company shares may not be represented in negotiable certificates.
Partners are severally responsible in all their money for the company's obligations and any agreement
to the contrary might not be made against third parties.
The company administration is undertaken by all partners, unless the company contract or an
independent contract assigns the administration to a partner party.
The company may practice all industrial, commercial and professional businesses.

What are the documents required for setting up a general partnership?

A general partnership contract duly authenticated by the notary public.*
* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

10

What is a public shareholding company?

A public shareholding company is a company with a capital divided into equal negotiable shares.
In such companies a shareholders liability is limited by the number of shares held by him.
The name of a public shareholding company shall be derived from its purpose unless the company purpose is intended
for the investment of a patent of invention registered in the name of the said person, or it has, upon incorporation
or thereafter, acquired a premises and has adopted that premises name as its own. In all cases, the term Public
Shareholding" should be appended to the name of the company. It is not permissible, however, for a public shareholding
company to adopt the name of another company or a name similar thereto. The latter company may otherwise plead
to the administration name to change it.
The company capital must adequately achieve the purposes of its incorporation, and in all cases may not be less than
(10) ten million AED.
Whoever signs the initial memorandum and articles of association with the intent of assuming the liability arising
therefrom, shall be considered a founding member. Unless there were at least ten founding members, the incorporation
of the company should not be licensed. However the federal government or the governments in the respective emirates,
members of the Federation may individually incorporate a company. They may also allow a lesser number than the
number stipulated in the preceding paragraph to participate with it in providing the capital.
The founding members should elect from amongst them a committee composed of a minimum of three and a maximum
of five members to implement the incorporation formalities at the competent authorities.
The founding members must subscribe to a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 40% of the share capital of the
company. Before publishing the prospectus, they should pay an amount equivalent to the percentage to be paid up by
the subscribers for each share at the subscription. The founder members must, before inviting the public subscription,
present to both the Ministry and the competent authority a certificate from the bank where the payment was made
confirming that they had paid the percentage referred to.
The company capital shall be formed of equal shares. The nominal value of each share should not be less than one
Dirham and not more than one hundred Dirhams. At the time of incorporation, shares may not be issued at a value less
or more than the nominal value and the costs of issue. All company shares shall incur equal rights and be subject to
equal liabilities.
Shares issued shall be nominative and negotiable. It is not permitted to cause their issue to bearer.
Form and term of the profit coupons shall be determined by the Articles of Association and
may be issued as nominal or to bearer.
11

Private Shareholding Company

What are the activities falling within a public shareholding company?

Most of the commercial and industrial activities and certain professional activities.

What is a private shareholding company?

A number of founders, not less than three, may establish a private shareholding company.
The shares of a private shareholding company cannot be offered to the public or for the public subscription.
The founders must subscribe all capital and minimum requirement for such capital is Dh. 2 million.
A private shareholding company is subject to all rules and regulations pertaining to private shareholding companies,
except for rules and regulations of the public subscription.
A private shareholding Company may be converted into a public shareholding company, in order to do so the
following conditions must be satisfied:
1. The nominal value of the issued shares is fully paid up.
2. A period of not less than two consecutive financial years has expired.
3.During the two years preceding the application for conversion, the company has achieved net profits, distributable
to the shareholders whose average is not less than 10% of the capital.
4. A resolution of the extraordinary general assembly for the conversion of the company is adopted by a majority
of three-quarters of the company capital.

What are the documents required for the registration of a public shareholding company?
1. Obtaining an approval from the E
mirates Securities and Commodities Authority.
2. To obtain an initial approval from DED, you need to submit the following :
A Memorandum of Association.
Articles of Association.
A feasibility study.

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

What are the activities falling within a public/private shareholding company?

Most of the commercial and industrial activities and certain professional activities.

What are the documents required for the registration of a public Shareholding company?
1. Obtaining an approval from the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority.
A feasibility study.
A Memorandum of Association.
Articles of Association.
2. After obtaining an initial approval
An approval by the competent committee.
* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.
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13

Government Liaison Office

Foreign/Banking Representative Office

What is a foreign/banking representative office?

What is a government liaison office?

It is an office established in the Emirate of Dubai by an official competent entity or organization of any
foreign country government to aim at enhancing business activity and promoting its own products or
industrial and commercial enterprises in Dubai. A liaison office is not allowed to practice any business
activity or make business deals.

It is an office established by an international company or organization in the Emirate of Dubai to

represent it exclusively in the UAE with an aim to promote its own products or services, activate
its business or to facilitate making business dealings between the company represented by the
representative office and its clients. The representative office is not allowed to carry on any business
or enter into any commercial deals by itself.

What is the category eligible for setting up a government liaison office?

The official entities and organizations of a foreign countrys government.

There are other representative offices such as real estate representative offices, academic representative
offices, pharmaceutical representative offices that require approvals from the competent authorities.

What are the business activities that may be carried on by a government

liaison office?

What are the documents required for the registration of a foreign/

banking representative office?

It is not allowed for the government liaison office to carry out any business activity in the hosting
country.

A resolution by the parent Companys board of directors for opening a branch in the Emirate of Dubai.
It should be translated into Arabic and duly authenticated.
A letter of delegation from the director.
A copy of the parent companys certificate of incorporation translated into Arabic and duly
authenticated.

What are the documents required for the registration of a government

liaison office?
Booking a trade name and obtaining an initial approval.
An approval from Dubai Chamber that it has no objection for opening a liaison office in Dubai.

An approval from the Ministry of Economy (for the foreign representative offices).

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

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15

A Branch of a Foreign Company

Branch of a Local Company

What is a branch of a foreign company?

It is a branch of a parent company; it has more than one type, subject to its business activity nature.
Commercial Representative Office: It is an office established by an international company or organization in the
Emirate of Dubai to represent it exclusively in the UAE with an aim to promote its own products or services, activate
its business or to facilitate making business dealings between the company represented by the representative
office and its clients. The representative office is not allowed to carry on any business or enter into any commercial
deals by itself.
The foreign companys branch must operate under the same name and conduct the same business as the parent
company, provided that not to be involved in practicing commercial activities directly.

What is a branch of a local company?

It is a branch of a company existing and licensed in the United Arab Emirates except in Free Zones. It
may practice the business activities related to the parent company license.

What are the documents required for the registration of a branch of a

local company? *

What are the documents required for the registration of a branch of a foreign company? *

A resolution by the companys board of directors for opening a branch and appointing a manager, and
a copy of the Memorandum of Association and the commercial registration certificate.

A copy of the directors and the local service agents passports - (along with the UAE nationals family book).
A resolution by the companys board of directors for opening a branch and appointing a manager, and a copy of
the memorandum of association and commercial register authenticated by the UAEs embassy and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

The approval of Ministry of Economy is required if the foreign company is going to practice the activity of a
commercial representative office or indirect commercial activity.
If the foreign companys business activity is a commercial representative office or any business activity that
requires an approval from the Ministry of Economy. A local agent contract duly authenticated by the notary public
(not applicable for the banking representative office).
* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.
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17

Branch of a Free Zone Company

Trade Name reservation

What is a branch of a free zone company?

Definition

It is a branch of a company existing in the UAE free zone.

Regulations related to the branches of a free zone in Dubai?

First: A company which is 100 % and 51 % owned by GCC nationals may open branches without referring to the
Ministry of Economy and Commerce. Appointment of a company agent is not required, provided that a NOC must
be obtained from the relevant free zone.
Second: A company wherein UAE nationals are less than 51 % and desires to open branches must refer to the
Ministry of Economy and Commerce. This decision applies on the representative offices in free zones that only
practice commercial and industrial business activities.
Third: A company established in free zones may enter as a party to incorporate a company in Dubai as follows:
If the company is 100 % owned by UAE nationals, it has the right to own 51 %.
As for companies having foreign partners, they have the right to own 49 % only in the companies to be
incorporated, provided that a NOC must be obtained from the relevant free zone and a certificate confirming the
partners mentioned participation percentage. As for the branches of foreign companies operating in free zones,
no branches may be opened except through the parent company.

What are the documents required for the registration of a branch of a free zone company in Dubai? *
A copy of license issued by free zone.
A NOC from the free zone stating that it has no objection for opening branches.
A copy of the directors passport, if any, and a NOC from the current sponsor (if the director is not under the
company sponsorship).
An approval from the Ministry of Economy for the companies having non-UAE nationals along with the appointment
of a local service agent (this is applicable when the foreigners own more than 49 % of the company share capital
or if the UAE nationals participation is less than 51 %).
Second: Issuance of a License

A trade name is the name a business uses to identify itself and under which a commercial enterprise operates in
business. Having a unique name helps the company to stand out among countless other start-ups and businesses.
Most of the company transactions are processed through its trade name.

The trade name must adhere to certain norms such as:

The name should not contain obscene or indecent words, and should not be offensive to the general public even if
it is a personal name.
The name should not include Allahs name nor "God" or His divine attributes
Family names, tribes names and other persons names should not be used as a trade name unless it includes the
first name.
The name should not be the same name used by any of the active brands in the Emirate of Dubai or government
projects, or those names used by any of the international brands or brand names.
Names should be written literally and not translated, for example: If the Arabic name is " " it must be
written as Al Samaa Al Aalya; and if Arabic name is " "it must be written as Hay Sky).
The name should not include the name of a country or government unless an approval is obtained from the
countrys respective embassy.
The business name must be logical and strictly reflect and indicate the business activity. For example it is not
allowed to obtain a trade name such as Al Madina Building Contracting for a building materials trading license).
The name cannot include any restricted names such as global political organizations, religious sectarian organizations.
DED has the right to cancel or change a business name if an existing trade name has been found under the same
trade name.

Fees for Booking a Trade Name:

AED 210

* Refer to page 2-3 or the KEY to view other required documents.

18

19
19

Cancellation of a License
Definition
It is a process intended to cancel the license permanently, and this same license cannot be re-activated.
Note: License cancellation of all legal forms requires submitting documents as per each legal form and obtaining
approvals from the government and federal authorities, in accordance with the license type and business activity.

Service Fees:
Processing cancellation: AED 500
Publishing a notice in one of the official newspapers in Dubai announcing the cancellation AED 500
Knowledge Dirham AED 10
Penalty for delay shall be added (only paid separately)

Documents required for canceling a sole proprietorship:

A completed registration and licensing form.
A copy of the license.
A NOC from the Ministry of Labour.
If the licensee is a non-GCC national, the residence visa is to be cancelled or a proof must be presented to confirm
that the visa is not issued under the cancelled license.

Documents required for the cancellation of a professional Company (Civil Company):

A completed registration and licensing form.
A copy of the license.
A partnership cancellation contract authenticated by the notary public.
20

A NOC from the Ministry of Labour

A partnership cancellation contract authenticated by the notary public or all the signatures of all the license
partners on the business registration form, provided that the partners should attend in person.

Documents required for de-registration of a commercial company (applicable on

all legal forms of commercial companies)
First Phase:
Notarized minutes of the general assembly meeting to confirm that the company liquidation along with a notice
of appointment of a liquidator.
A letter issued by the liquidator accepting to liquidate the company along with the liquidators documents (a
copy of the license, auditor registration certificate, a notarized signature specimen).
Payment of AED 2010 for obtaining certificates of the company dissolution and liquidators appointment, subject
to the legal advisor approval.
Published notice of liquidation in two Arabic local newspapers for one day only; the notice should give the
debtors a grace period of 45 days from the date of the notice to submit their claims.
Second Phase:
Submit the original newspaper in which the notice appeared as well as the companys final report.
A declaration letter from the liquidator and the partners indicating that no objection from any other parties
during 45 days from the date of announcement.
A letter from the Ministry of Labour and cancellation of the partners residence visa by the Directorate of
Naturalization & Residency in Dubai.
A copy of notarized minutes of the General Assemblys meeting and a copy of the certificate of dissolution.
21

Cancellation of a companys
license that has been expired for more than two year:
Documents required for the cancellation of a simple limited partnership:
A completed registration and licensing form.
The cancelation decision issued by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority.
A NOC from the Ministry of Labour.

Definition:
Cancellation of a companys license that has been expired for more than two year.

First Phase:

Documents required for the cancellation of a branch of a foreign company:

Submit the business registration application form.

The license must have been expired for more than two years.
An undertaking by the local partner that he will be held accountable for the company liabilities.
Submit documents supporting the reason for license cancellation (such as: a proof stating that the partner
stayed outside the country for more than 6 months or that the partner whereabouts are unknown).
Payment of AED 2010 to receive the companys certificate of dissolution.
Published notice of liquidation in two Arabic local newspapers for one day only; the notice should give the
debtors a grace period of 15 days from the date of the notice to submit their claims.
A duly completed undertaking stating that the company has no liabilities recorded and assuming full
responsibility for the validity of such statement (the form is available at all DEDs branches).

A completed registration and licensing form.

The Ministry of Economys decision to cancel the foreign company branch.
An attested decision issued by the board of directors to cancel the foreign company branch.
A NOC from the Ministry of Labour.

Documents required for the cancellation of a branch of a local company:

A completed registration and licensing form.
The Ministry of Economys decision to cancel the local company branch.
An attested decision issued by the board of directors to cancel the local company branch.
A NOC from the Ministry of Labour.

Second Phase:
Submit the original newspaper.
A letter by the Ministry of Labour stating that there are no employees sponsored under the license.

Documents required for the cancellation of a branch of a free zone company:

A completed registration and licensing form.
The Ministry of Economys decision to cancel the free zone company branch.
An attested decision issued by the parent company to cancel the free zone company branch (for companies
not registered with the Ministry of Economy).
A NOC from the Ministry of Labour.

Fees
The second phase fee is AED 3010.

How to apply for the second phase?

You can apply by visiting any of DEDs branches.
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23

Suspension of a Business Activity under an Expired License

Amalgamation
Definition:

Definition:
Suspension of a business activity under an expired license and stop the accumulation of fines during the suspension
period ranging from one to three years.

Procedures and Required Documents

It is when two or more companies are amalgamated requiring the liquidation of one company and the amendment
of the other company details whether by increasing the capital, adding partners or changing the trade name or
the manager. Both of the reconstructed and amalgamated companies must submit transactions simultaneously.

Procedures and Required Documents

A letter from the company to request for a temporary suspension of license.

A copy of the license.
A letter from the Ministry of Labour proving that there are no labour restrictions imposed on the license.

Submit the registration application form.

Submit a duly notarized amalgamation agreement by the parties.
Submit a duly notarized minutes of the general assembly meeting from the amalgamated company to confirm
liquidation and appointment of liquidator and mention his name.
Submit the liquidator documents (a copy of the liquidator license, a registered auditor certificate, a notarized
signature specimen).
Published notice of liquidation in two Arabic local newspapers for one day only; taking into consideration to add
the phrase (Liquidation for the Purpose of Amalgamation); the notice should give the debtors a grace period of
60 days from the date of the notice to submit their claims..
A copy of the general assemblys minutes.
Transaction will be forwarded to DEDs Legal Affairs for approval.

Fees:
AED 2010 per each year of suspension, to be added to the outstanding fines on the license.

Is it possible to block the license for less than three years?

No, it is not possible. However, the license freeze can be cancelled at any time

Can you stop the deactivation of the license before the expiry date of the
suspension period?
It is possible to stop the deactivation of the license at any time after the date of suspension and before the end of
the suspension period, bearing in mind that no refunded fees shall be applicable.

Can a company with a suspended license practice the activity during the
suspension period?
It is illegal for a company with a suspended license to practice any of its activities during the suspension
period and fines will be imposed as per the regulations applicable on infringing licenses.

Upon payment of fees and obtaining the amalgamation certificate, you must:
Submit a duly notarized Addendum to Memorandum of Association to confirm the increase of the capital and
addition of partners or other amendments.
Submit the original newspapers containing the respective announcement as well as the companys final report.
Submit the liquidator declaration that there has been no objection filed by any party within 60 days from the
date of the announcement.

How to apply for this service?

You can apply by visiting DEDs headquarters and branches.
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25

Commercial Mortgage
What is a commercial mortgage?
It is the process of mortgaging the license or the registered business premises or the partners shares to apply
for a loan from one of the banks operating in the UAE or for any other purpose that requires mortgage certificate.
There are two types of mortgages:
Mortgage of a business premises that requires a published announcement and a mortgage certificate.
Mortgage of shares that does not require a published announcement, however a mortgage certificate must be
issued.

Description

Fee

Registration of a Professional License

600

Announce a License Transfer on

Death

500

Registration of a Commercial License

600

Announce a License Assignment

500

600

Announce a Foreign Company

Nationality Change

500

Registration of an Industrial License

Extract /Copy Files

50

Add a Partner

500

Announce an Owners/a Partners

Name Change

500

Add a Business Activity

500

Announce a License Cancellation

500

Change/Add a Director

500

Announce Other Amendments

500

Relocation of a Business Premises

500

Amend/Renew a License

500

Add and Change the Registration

Certificate Details

500

Change a Business Activity

500

500

Late Registration Penalty

200

Add/Change a Public Relations

Officer (PRO)

Announce a Trade Name Change

500

Announce an Owner/a Partner

Nationality Change

500

Announce a Partner Withdrawal

500

Announce a Legal Form Change

500

Third: A List of Fees for the Business Registration & Licensing Procedures:

Announce Withdrawal and Addition

of a Partner

500

Announce Appointment of Heirs

Representative

500

Note: The following fees shall, in no way, constitute the total costs for licensing procedures; each procedure or
service is subject to a fixed fee. Moreover, other government authorities applicable fees are not included.

Announce a Partner Death and

Substitution of Heirs for Succession.

500

Commercial Services

Procedures and Required Documents

First Phase:
A duly notarized mortgage contract by the mortgager and mortgagee duly authenticated by the notary public.
A duly completed mortgage application form.
An undertaking that the license is not previously mortgaged.
Then, the transaction shall be referred to the legal advisor at the Department of Economic Department in Dubai
(DED) for advice and approval.
Second Phase:
Publish the announcement about business premises mortgage for 30 days.
Print out the mortgage certificate.

26

500/1000

27

Local Services Agent

700

Initial Approvals

100

Translation of a License

250

Delete a Director
Delete a Partner

a Company Dissolution

2,000

Announce a Company Dissolution

500

500

Change a Company Name

500

500

Add a Technician/a Manager

500

Cancel a License

500

Delete a Public Relations Officer

(PRO)

500

Reserve a Trade Name

200

Trade Name indicates the business

territory (such as National or Gulf or
International)

1,000

Trademark Franchising

1,000

Foreign Trade Name

2,000

Announce Business Premises

Mortgage

500

Business Premises Mortgage

Registration Certificate

3,000

Freeze a Business License

2,000

Commercial Services
Remove a Business Activity from the
Register
Foreign Trade Name with Numbers
Arabized Trade Name

Devolution of a License

50
500
2,000
1,000

Reduce the Company Capital

500

Change a Trade Name

500

Withdraw a Partner

500

Sell a Business Premises

500

Substitute and Appoint Heirs

500

Change a Manager

500

Issue a Building Contractor License

500

Change a Legal Form

500

Delete a Business Activity

500

Change the Company Capital

500

Knowledge Dirham

Delete an Owner/Partner Name

500

Issue an Investment License

Change the Company Capital Shares

500

Renew an Investment License

Delete a Procedure

500

Add/Change in the Register

Renew a Building Contractor License

Issue a General Trading License
Renew a General Trading License

10,000
3,000
15,000
3,000
10
15,000
3,000
500

Trade Name (Dubai, Emirates, Gulf)

2,000

Merger/Amalgamation of License

Abbreviated Trade Name (A.B ..etc)

2,000

Liquidation for Merger/Amalgamation

2,000

Deregistration for Liquidation

2,000

Change a Company Name

500

Dissolve a Company and Appoint a

Liquidator

2,000

Remove a Company from the

Register -Deregistration

2,000

Announce a Company Legal Form

Change

28

500

Change an Owner/a Partner/a

Company Nationality

Certificates
PRO. card

500

100
1000

500

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Contact Us
DED website:

Approved Document Clearance

Service Centers:
Al Tawasol for Businessmen Services + 97150- 5705058
Muamala Businessmen Services + 9714-2505566
Tasheel Business Center +9714-2635588
Al Reaya Printing Services +97150-3636309
On Time +9714-3977776
Elite for Business Services: +9714-2599990
Al Etqan Business Services +9714-2327333

DED branches:

Main Premises at Business Village,

Deira, next to Clock Tower
Al Tawar Branch, Al Tawar Center at Al Qusais
Dubai Mall Branch
Al Barsha Branch, Al Barsha Mall
Ahlan Dubai (Call Centre) +971 600 545555

Payment of Fees can be made through

the following approved authorities:
Emirates Islamic Bank 9714-6093804
Noor Islamic Bank 9714-4268876
AAFAQ Islamic Finance +97150-8081066
EMPOST +97150-4904004

Prepared by
Awareness Unit
Customer Relations Department
Business Registration & Licensing Sector

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