Question 1

1. What is Dubai Unified licence (DUL)?

Accepted Answer

The Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) is a project that provides a unique identification number for all existing and newly opened businesses in Dubai with mainland and free zone licences. As per Law No. 6 of 2023, all businesses registered and licensed in Dubai will receive a DUL. This will be gradually rolled out in stages. At the moment, your DUL and QR code will serve as a unified business identity. However, these will soon be mandatory for government entities and service providers such as telecommunications, utilities and banks.

Question 2

2. What is the purpose of the Dubai Unified Licence?

Accepted Answer

The DUL streamlines and improves the process of doing business by providing a single source of trusted, digital information for the general public, suppliers and service providers, allowing them to view licence details for mainland and free zone businesses. This means that anyone can use the DUL portal to search and retrieve data from any business in Dubai. Each business will also receive a QR code that can be scanned to retrieve the latest licence information.

In a later stage, businesses can use their DUL to acquire services from government and private entities in a quicker and more streamlined manner. Access to verified DUL data in a single repository means business verification would take less time and effort in customer-business, business-business or business-government interactions.

With a DUL, businesses will be able to maintain the latest contact details of licence members through a unified portal.

Question 3

3. What is the difference between a licence number and DUL?

Accepted Answer

A licence number is specific to the Licensing Authority, whereas a DUL is a unique company identifier applicable across Dubai's mainland and free zones. A DUL will serve as a de facto identifier for licensed businesses in Dubai, allowing public and service providers to retrieve business information.

Question 4

4. What are the benefits of a Dubai Unified Licence for my business?

Accepted Answer

DUL simplifies and streamlines consent-driven data exchange and transactions between businesses and service providers, including government entities, by assigning unique identification numbers to mainland and free zone businesses.

When interacting with government and private entities, businesses can expect improved customer experience and expedited business transactions considering that with a DUL:

NOCs and permit issuances for economic activities by government regulators are unified and simplified.
Opening of business branches between free zones and mainland is made easier.
Transfer of businesses between free zones and mainland is eased by unified and verified data accessibility.
Service providers are equipped with unified means to digitally access company information and provide value-added services (e.g. utility companies).
Banks have access to company KYC data when opening bank accounts and financing companies.
Future business owners will benefit from the availability of unified and verified information about their existing businesses in the emirate.

Question 5

5. What should I expect with the launch of DUL?

Accepted Answer

Following its launch in 2023, DUL is being rolled out in multiple stages. All licensed businesses will be issued a DUL and an associated QR code.

You will know if you are among these businesses as you will receive an email and SMS with your DUL and a unique page link to access and download your QR code.

DULs will be issued to all remaining companies in subsequent phases.

Question 6

6. How do I use my Dubai Unified Licence?

Accepted Answer

Your DUL will be your primary business identity in Dubai, and the QR code should be displayed across your business premises, website and social media accounts.

Public and service providers will scan your QR code to retrieve public information about your legitimate business.

As such, the DUL and QR code will be the sole identity that you need to share with government authorities and service providers from the private sector to avail of the services of other businesses.

You will be expected to replace the licence certificate that you usually display at your business premises with the QR code, which should also be displayed on your business premises and published on all their digital platforms, including social media pages and websites. Your customers and suppliers can scan the code to view information pertaining to your registered business and its status.