Dubai
UAE Licensing and Registration
Prior to starting any business in Dubai, the steps
outlined below must be followed in order
to meet the legal requirements of all concerned government authorities:
♦ Identifying the type of business activity/activities to be practiced (commercial, industrial and/or professional).
♦ Determine all the related business activities that can be included within each business license, subject to a maximum of ten activities per license.
♦ Determine the appropriate legal form for your business taking into consideration the desired
business activity/activities and the number
and nationalities of the business owners.
♦ Prepare all the requirements of the license to be issued.
♦ Determine the trade name of the business.
♦ Submit an application
to the DED for an initial approval and registration of trade name either by a personal visit to the Department
Offices or through a document clearing service or a legal
consultant's office.
♦ Lease of business premises (it is recommended that you contact
the counter of the Planning Department of Dubai Municipality on Telephone Number 2020105 or on Dubai Municipality's Telephone Number 2063788, before leasing premises in order
to verify that it is suitable for the business). Thereafter you can visit the said Department's
counter on the building's first floor for
approval of the premises.
♦ Prepare all required documents such as Memorandum of Association and other contracts
such as the appointment of local service agent, which has to be authenticated by the Notary
Public and approvals of other relevant government authorities, which are necessary in some cases. For
example, to carry on media activities, an approval issued by the National Media Council is required.
♦ Submit an application to the DED to obtain a final license.
Applications can be submitted through
a document clearing
service or a legal consultant's office.
♦ Pay the required fees to have a
license issued
♦ Submit an application to the Department for a signboard permit for a business trade name as
required by the regulations. However, office premises would be an exception to this.
♦ To obtain necessary connections for telephone, fax, and Internet services, an application must be submitted to either Emirates Telecommunications
Corporation "Etisalat" or Emirates
Integrated Telecommunications Company "du".
♦ To obtain a
Post Office Box for an establishment, an application must be submitted to the
"General Postal Authority.” You may visit the said Authority’s website at www.gpa.gov.ae.
♦ Obtain necessary work permits for business employees and management;
an application must be submitted to both the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Department of Naturalization and Residence. For more information
you may visit the Department of Naturalization and Residence website at www.dnrd.gov.ae, and the Ministry
of Labor and Social Affairs website www.mol.gov.ae
