Login
Essential documents
New businesses
To start a business in Dubai, you must hold a valid tourist or visit visa before applying for a licence. All new applicants need:
-
Copy of the licence holder’s passport (if a foreigner) or Emirates ID (if resident)
-
Copy of the applicant’s residence visa or entry permit (for non-GCC nationals)
-
Company’s Articles of Association (Not required for a one-person limited liability company)
Joint stock companies
If you're setting up a public or private joint stock company, you'll also need the following in addition to the standard documents for new businesses:
-
A feasibility study of the project
Dubai branch
Companies based in other emirates opening a branch in Dubai will need:
-
Board resolution from the parent company
-
Authorisation letter from the managing director
-
Parent company’s commercial registration certificate
-
Parent company’s Memorandum of Association (MoA)
Foreign or free zone branch
If your parent company is based abroad or in a UAE free zone, you'll need:
-
Copy of the parent company’s licence
All parent company documents must be:
-
Attested in the home country by the UAE Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-
Counter-attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-
Legally translated into Arabic and attested by the UAE Ministry of Justice