How to register a company in the UAE: step-by-step 2026

Every UAE licence is issued for specific approved activities — these appear on your trade licence and must match what you actually invoice for. The Department of Economic Development (DED) publishes a list of approved activities for mainland licences; each free zone maintains its own list. The activity determines your licence type (commercial, professional, industrial, tourism, or freelance), which jurisdictions are open to you, and which sector approvals you need.

• Search the DED activity database or ask your chosen free zone for their approved activity list
• Regulated activities (healthcare, financial services, education, food) require approval from the relevant regulatory authority before licence issuance
• You can hold multiple activities under one licence, but some combinations require a higher fee or are not permitted together
• Activities that span two licence types (e.g., consulting + trading) may require two licences

Jurisdiction selection shapes your costs, trading rights, visa quota, and banking experience. The three structures are: free zone (lower cost, international focus), mainland (UAE market access, government contracts), and offshore (holding/IP, no visa). Within free zones, over 45 options exist. The right choice depends on where your customers are, your visa needs, and your first-year budget.

• If your customers are international or UAE-based online buyers — free zone is typically correct
• If your customers are UAE businesses, retail, or government — mainland is the right call
• Check which free zones have a strong track record with UAE banks for your specific activity
• See the full breakdown in the free zone vs mainland guide before deciding

Full detail in the free zone vs mainland UAE guide.

Submit 2–3 ranked name options to your chosen authority. Names must not duplicate existing registrations, contain restricted terms (royal titles, religious references, country names without approval), or misrepresent your activities. The free zone or DED checks availability and approves or rejects each option.

• Mainland DED name reservation: approximately AED 750, valid for 1 month
• Most free zones include name reservation in their setup package
• Your trade name can differ from your brand name — the licence can show a generic name while you operate under a brand
• Arabic characters may be required for mainland businesses

Once the name is reserved, gather and submit the required documents. Free zones require less documentation than mainland DED applications. Documents must typically be less than 3 months old.

• All shareholders and managers: coloured passport copy (minimum 6 months validity)
• Proof of residential address: utility bill or bank statement (last 3 months)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current UAE sponsor — required if you are already on a residence visa
• Mainland LLC applications require a Memorandum of Association (drafted and notarised by a UAE notary)
• Regulated activities require a pre-approval letter from the relevant UAE authority (DHA, KHDA, DFSA, CBUAE, etc.)

Once the application is complete and fees are paid, the free zone or DED issues the trade licence. The licence shows your company name, activity codes, expiry date, and registered address. Keep the original — banks, government authorities, and regulators will request certified copies throughout the life of your business.

• Free zone: digital licence issued first, physical copy follows within a few days
• Mainland: the licence is printed and collected from the DED or issued digitally via the government portal
• Licence is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually — renewal typically costs 80–90% of the initial fee
• Your registered address on the licence must match your physical or virtual office address

The establishment card (also called the Labour Card or company card) is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). It is mandatory before you can apply for investor visas or employee work permits. The card is tied to your establishment number and renewed annually alongside the trade licence.

• Required before any visa applications — do not start the visa process without it
• Apply through MOHRE's online portal or via a registered PRO service
• Renewal is annual and should be done at the same time as licence renewal
• Free zones manage this differently — some issue a free zone ID that functions similarly

With the licence and establishment card in hand, you can apply for the investor visa. The process includes an entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and visa stamping. Bank account opening follows — this is the most variable step. A well-prepared application at the right bank completes in 2 to 3 weeks. Underprepared applications can stall for months or be declined.

• Visa process: entry permit → medical test → Emirates ID registration → visa stamping
• Bring your company documents to the medical and Emirates ID appointments
• For banking: a consistent and professional digital presence (website, social) materially improves approval rates
• Match your licence activities to your expected invoice types — inconsistency is the most common cause of bank account rejection

Full detail in the UAE corporate bank account guide.