Economic Dept. Works

Activity and Name Change in LLC License

Commercial Name Reservation from  (Department of Economic Development) branch or  Documents required: Any one of the partners' passport copy and list of proposed names. Name Reservation can be completed same time ( government fee+ service charge)

Initial approval from  branch or  . Type (BR1) form, get signature of the Managing Director and submit at DED or Tas'heel Centre. No need signature of all partners for amendment. But all names should be typed. Form can be filled from Typing Centre.
Attachments: Name Reservation Certificate, LLC Agreement (MoA), Copy of Trade License, Partners List and Passport copies of Partners.
DED officer will write No Objection for Activity and Name change at bottom of the BR1 Form.
External Department Approval: If your business activity is controlled by other department like TRA, you should get approval from the concerned department also.

Type Addendum to LLC Agreement (Activity and name change Agreement) from a legal translator and get attested from  Al Tawar Centre or Al Barsha or DED at Business Village near Clock Tower. Legal translator's seal is not required if the agreement is only in Arabic.
NOTE: First LLC (MoA) Agreement is the master agreement. Whenever you make a change (partner/name/activity/capital) there will be a supplement (addendum) agreement and that shall be considered as an integral part of the master agreement.

Attestation fee at the court (Notary Public)

All Partners or Attorney have to attend at Notary to sign the Court Agreement.
If any existing partner is outside, he/she can send Power of Attorney authorizing other Partner to represent him/her at the Court. This Power of Attorney should be attested by UAE Embassy in home country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE. It should be translated into Arabic (legal) if it is made in other language.

Submit the attested Addendum (one original copy), BR1 form, Name Reservation Certificate, External Department approval (if any) and Passport copies of partners, at any branch of DED or . Payment voucher will be issued same time or you can take print from. Make payment at the counter and get the license. You can also pay using Credit Card/Direct Debit through DED website after issued the payment voucher. You will get new License with new partner's name.
If this is the time for License Renewal, you should attach Registration Certificate also. Renewal fees will show in the Payment Voucher.

Walk-in Submission facility is available at Tas'heel Centers.
Appointment: You have to take online appointment to submit applications at Economic Department (DED) Head Office, Business Village, Near Clock Tower, Deira, and Dubai Mall branch.
How to make online appointment?: Create a new user account through MYID Website. You should have Emirates ID and Card Reader to complete the registration. After submitting required information, you will get a username and password. If you have difficulty in creating User Account, you can go to Tas'heel Center. Fees: Dh50. Self service kiosks are available at DED Branches, Municipality Service Centers and all other government departments. This user ID is common for all government services under Smart Dubai.
• After creating the account, enter DED site and make appointment. Submit the documents at the selected DED branch.
• Appointment system can be used to avoid waiting at DED.

Adding Activity in LLC License

Initial approval from Department of Economic Development (DED) orTas'heel Centre. Type (BR1) form, get signature of the Managing Director and submit at DED. No need signature of all partners for amendment. But all names should be typed. Form can be filled from Typing Centre.

You can add only activities which match with the existing activity group. If not, you will have to remove all existing activities and select new one.
Some business activities need external departments' approval likeMunicipality approval for Building Contracting, RTA approval for Transport...read more
Attachments: LLC Agreement (MoA), Copy of Trade License, Partners List, Passport copies of Partners.
DED officer will write No Objection for adding activity bottom of the BR1 Form.

Type Addendum to LLC Agreement (Activity addition Agreement) from a legal translator and get attested from  at Al Tawar Centre or Al Barsha or DED at Business Village near Clock Tower. Legal translator's seal is not required if the the agreement is only in Arabic.
First LLC Agreement (MoA) is the master agreement. Whenever you make a change (partner/name/activity/capital) there will be a supplement (addendum) agreement and that shall be considered as an integral part of the master agreement.

Attestation fee at the court (Notary Public)

Immigration Establishment Card

You should change/add Company activity in Immigration Establishment Card after the new License issued. Application can be prepared from Typing Centre. Put Company Seal and Signature of Authorized Signatories and  Submit at Immigration Office. Card will be issued same time.

Attachments: Typed Application, New Trade License Copy, Partners List, LLC new Addendum, Passport copies of authorized signatories. If this is the time for Immigration Card Renewal, you should add

All Partners or Attorney have to attend at Notary to sign the Court Agreement.
If any existing partner is outside, he/she can send Power of Attorney authorizing other Partner to represent him/her at the Court. This Power of Attorney should be attested by UAE Embassy in home country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE. It should be translated into Arabic (legal) if it is made in other language.

Submit the attested Addendum (one original copy), BR1 form, Name Reservation Certificate, External Department approval (if any) and Passport copies of partners, at any branch of DED or Payment voucher will be issued same time or you can take print from  Make payment at the counter and get the license. You can also pay using Credit Card/Direct Debit through DED website after issued the payment voucher. You will get new License with new activity.
If this is the time for License Renewal, you should attach Registration Certificate also. Renewal fees will show in the Payment Voucher.

Activity addition Fees
License Modification Fees
Activity Cancellation Fees (only if you have cancelled any existing activity)
Government Cultural Fees
Administrative Service Fees
Dubai Chamber Modification Fees
Ministry of Economy and Commerce Fees

Walk-in Submission facility is available at Tas'heel Centers.
Appointment: You have to take online appointment to submit applications at Economic Department (DED) Head Office, Business Village, Near Clock Tower, Deira, and Dubai Mall branch.
How to make online appointment?: Create a new user account through MYID Website. You should have Emirates ID and Card Reader to complete the registration. After submitting required information, you will get a username and password. If you have difficulty in creating User Account, you can go to Tas'heel Center. Fees: Dh50. Self service kiosks are available at DED Branches, Municipality Service Centers and all other government departments. This user ID is common for all government services under Smart Dubai.
• After creating the account, enter DED site and make appointment. Submit the documents at the selected DED branch.
• Appointment system can be used to avoid waiting at DED.

Adding Partner & Capital Increment in LLC

Initial approval from Department of Economic Development (DED) orTas'heel Centre. Type (BR1) form, get signature of the existing and new partners and submit at DED. Form can be filled from Typing Centre.

Attachments: Existing LLC Agreement (MoA), Copy of Trade License, Partners List, Passport copies of partners, NOC from sponsor for new partner who holds Employment Visa/Residence Visa. Visit/Tourist Visa holder can attach his/her visa copy. No need NOC for Partner/Investor visa holders.
DED officer will write No Objection for adding/removing partner at the bottom of the BR1 Form.

Type Addendum to LLC Agreement (Share Sale & Capital Increment Agreement) from a legal translator and get attested from at Al Tawar Centre or Al Barsha or DED at Business Village near Clock Tower. Legal translator's seal is not required if the the agreement is only in Arabic.
CAPITAL: You can write the capital amount in LLC Agreement as much as you want. No need to show Capital deposit certificate from the bank. Notary will charge a small percentage at the time of attestation according to the Capital amount and number of partners. 51% should be allocated to National Partner and remaining 49% can be divided among expatriate partners. If the expatriate partners are three, you can put capital  and divide 49% as you like. You can increase capital according to the number of partners. A partner's share value should be  or more to apply for  Visa.
• It is difficult to get partner visa for more than two partners.

Attestation fee at the court (Notary Public)

All Partners or Attorney have to attend at Notary to sign the Court Agreement.
If any existing partner wants to withdraw from the company and he/she  is outside, he/she can send Power of Attorney authorizing other Partner to represent him/her at the Court. This Power of Attorney should be attested by UAE Embassy in home country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE. It should be translated into Arabic (legal) if it is made in other language.

Submit the attested Addendum (one original copy), BR1 form,  Passport copies of partners and NOC for partner (if any), at any branch of DED or  Payment voucher will be issued same time or you can take print from Make payment at the counter and get the license. You can also pay using Credit Card/Direct Debit through DED website after issued the payment voucher. You will get new License with new partners name.
If this is the time for License Renewal, you should attach Ejari Registration Certificate also. Renewal fees will show in the Payment Voucher.

Partner Addition Fees
License Modification Fees
Capital Change Fees
Government Cultural Fees
Administrative Services Fees
Partner Accommodation Fees
Dubai Chamber Modification Fees
Ministry of Economy & Commerce Fees

Walk-in Submission facility is available at Tas'heel Centers.
Appointment: You have to take online appointment to submit applications at Economic Department (DED) Head Office, Business Village, Near Clock Tower, Deira, and Dubai Mall branch.
How to make online appointment?: Create a new user account through MYID Website. You should have Emirates ID and Card Reader to complete the registration. After submitting required information, you will get a username and password. If you have difficulty in creating User Account, you can go to Tas'heel Center. Fees: Dh50. Self service kiosks are available at DED Branches, Municipality Service Centers and all other government departments. This user ID is common for all government services under Smart Dubai.
• After creating the account, enter DED site and make appointment. Submit the documents at the selected DED branch.
• Appointment system can be used to avoid waiting at DED.

Immigration Establishment Card

If you want to change Authorized Signatory in Immigration Establishment Card, you can do it after the new License issued.Application can be prepared from Typing Centre. Put Company Seal and Signature of Authorized Signatories and Submit at ImmigrationOffice. Card will be issued same time. Power of Attorney is required if the power is not mentioned in the LLC agreement for the authorized signatory.
Attachments: Typed Application, New Trade License Copy, Partners List, LLC Agreement and new Addendum, Power of Attorney (if any), Passport copies of authorized signatories. If this is the time for Immigration Card Renewal, you should add Read more
300 (Approx)

Labour Establishment Card

If you want to change Authorized Signatory in Labour Establishment Card, you can do it after preparing special labour power attorney and get it attested from Notary. Power Attorney can be typed from Typing Centre and Labour Establishment amendment form should be typed from Tas'heel Centre. Submission at Labour Office. Amended Card will be issued same time. Read more

Adding Partner and Removing Partner in LLC 

Initial approval from Economic Department (DED) or Tas'heel Centre. Type (BR1) form, get signature of the existing and new partners and submit at DED. Form can be filled from Typing Centre
Attachments: LLC Agreement (MoA), Copy of Trade License, Partners List, Commercial Register, Passport copies of partners, NOC from sponsor for new partner who holds Employment Visa/Residence Visa. Visit/Tourist Visa holder can attach his/her visa copy.
DED officer will write No Objection for adding partner / Removing Partner bottom of the BR1 Form.150 at Tas'heel Centre

Type Addendum to LLC Agreement (Share Sale Agreement) from a legal translator and get attested from Notary Public at Al Tawar Centre or Al Barsha or DED at Business Village near Clock Tower. Legal translator's seal is not required if the the agreement is only in Arabic.

400 (Approx)

Attestation fee at the court (Notary Public)  (Approx)

All Partners or Attorney have to attend at Notary to sign the Court Agreement. If any existing Partner is outside, he/she can send Power of Attorney authorizing other Partner to represent him/her at the Court. This Power of Attorney should be attested by UAE Embassy in home country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE. It should be translated into Arabic (legal) if it is made in other language.

Submit the attested Addendum (one original copy), BR1 form, Passport copies of partners and NOC for new partner (if any), at any branch of DED. Payment voucher will be issued same time or you can take print from DED website. Make payment at the counter and get the license. You can also pay using Credit Card/Direct Debit through DED website after issued the payment voucher. You will get new License with new partner's name.
If this is the time for License Renewal, you should attach Tenancy Contract and EJARI Registration Certificate. Renewal fees will show in the Payment Voucher.

Approximate fees for Adding Partner & Removing Partner in LLC License at 

Break-up cost of Adding Partner & Removing Partner in LLC License at DED
Description Fees in 
Partner Addition Fees 
License Modification Fees 
Partner Withdrawal Fees 
Government Cultural Fees 
Administrative Services Fees 
Dubai Chamber Modification Fees 
Ministry of Economy & Commerce Fees 
Total Fees (approximately) 

Walk-in Submission facility is available at Tas'heel Centers.
Appointment: You have to take online appointment to submit applications at Economic Department (DED) Head Office, Business Village, Near Clock Tower, Deira, and Dubai Mall branch. 
• Create a new user account through MYID Website. You should have Emirates ID and Card Reader to complete the registration. After submitting required information, you will get a username and password. If you have difficulty in creating User Account, you can go to Tas'heel Centre (for DED Services) at Al Tawar Centre, Qusais. Fees: Dh50. Self service counters are available at DED Business Village Branch, near Clock Tower, Deira.
• After creating the account, enter DED site and make appointment. Submit the documents at the selected DED branch.
• If the available date is too long, you can go to DED branch and pay urgent fees to get your document cleared same day. Urgent fees will show in your final payment voucher.

NOTE: Removed Partner can cancel his/her visa now. Click here for details
• If you want to change Authorized Signatory in Dubai Chamber, you can do it after the new License issued. Dubai Chamber branch is there at the same DED building. Collect Registration Form from there, Fill the information, Put authorized signature and company stamp and submit at Dubai Chamber counter. Payment already made at DED along with the License Amendment fees. 
Documents required: Filled form,  Copy of Trade License, Partners List, Commercial Register (3 pages of trade license), LLC Agreement, Passport copy of Authorized Signatory and DED Payment Receipt of Trade License. 
NOTE: Chamber Certificate is required for Export & Import purpose, for Registration with various Government Departments and to expand business  

Immigration Establishment Card

If you want to change Authorized Signatory in Immigration Establishment Card, you can do it after the new License issued.Application can be prepared from Typing Centre. Put Company Seal and Signature of Authorized Signatories and Submit at ImmigrationOffice. Card will be issued within five minutes.
Attachments: Typed Application, New Trade License Copy, Partners List, LLC Agreement and new Addendum, Passport copies of authorized signatories. If this is the time for Immigration Card Renewal, you should attach office Location Map in Arabic, Tenancy Contract and EJARI Registration Certificate. Read more
300 (Approx)
Labour Establishment Card

If you want to change Authorized Signatory in Labour Establishment Card you can do it after adding his/her signature in Immigration Establishment Card. (Application should be typed from Tas'heel Centre). Submission at Labour Office. Amended Card will be issued within five minutes. Read more

Business Set-up in Dubai

In Dubai, the authorities have deliberately sought to create an environment which is well ordered without being unduly restrictive. As a result, Dubai offers businessmen operating conditions that are among the most liberal and attractive in the region. 

There are many options open to international companies seeking to establish a business relationship with Dubai.
 
Having a presence can provide considerable business advantages in the Middle East. Businessmen in the region prefer to deal with someone they know and trust and personal relationships are much more important in doing business in the Arab world than they are in western Europe or America. 

 Licensing 
The basic requirement for all business activity in Dubai is one of the following three categories of licences: 

 Commercial licences covering all kinds of trading activity; 
 Professional licences covering professions, services, craftsmen and artisans; 
 Industrial licences for establishing industrial or manufacturing activity. 

These licences are all issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Development. However, licences for some categories of business require approval from certain ministries and other authorities: for example; 

• Banks and financial institutions from the Central Bank of the UAE; 

• Insurance companies and related agencies from Insurance Authority; 

• Manufacturing license; from the Ministry of Finance and Industry; 

• Pharmaceutical and medical products from the Ministry of Health; 

• Contracting and Building Maintenance and some other activities from Municipality (click herefor the list of activities required Municipality Approval);

• Transportation and vehicle rental activities from Road and Transport Authority (click herefor the list of activities required RTA approval); 

• Printing, publishing and advertising activities from National Media Council; 

• Cargo Clearing, Cargo packaging, Canal dredging contracting and Fishing cages manufacturing activities from Dubai Maritime City; 

• Travel and tourism activities (now direct approval from DED. No need approval from Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing DTCM). 

• Gymnasium Club activity from Dubai Sports Council.

• Social Club registration and licensing to be completed from Community Development Authority.

• Tents, awnings and Tarpaulin manufacturing from Environment Protection Section of Dubai Municipality.

• Car Wash License is issued only in locations where there is a petrol filling station. This will need an agreement with the said oil company to lease the space at their filling station. Other norms on environment protection and safety have to be followed as per the standards prescribed.
 
More detailed procedures apply to businesses engaged in oil or gas production and related industries. 

Practicing some trade activities (e.g. jewellery and insurance) requires the submission of a financial guarantee issued by a bank operating in Dubai. 

In general, all commercial and industrial businesses in Dubai should be registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

Tourism Companies
For Inbound Tourism  to be deposited in Bank
For Outbound Tourism  to be deposited in Bank 
These deposits are irrevocable till the license cancelled.

Travels
For Travel Agency  to be deposited at Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. This deposit is irrevocable till the license is cancelled.

Building Contracting Companies
For Building Contracting Company License,  to be extra at the Department of Economic Development when the license issued first time.

General Trading
For General Trading License,  to be extra at the Department of Economic Development when the license issued first time.

Customs Broker
to be deposited at Dubai Customs. This deposit is irrevocable till the license is cancelled.

RTA Activities (following fees to be paid for RTA initial approval)
Rent a Car:
Bus Rental
Passenger Transport by rented Buses

Telephones & Telecommunications Equipment Trading
 to be paid at Telecommunications Regulator Authority (TRA). This is one time fee.

Security Service: Property guard & Surveillance Services, Party security & private guarding services
Initial approval from Department of Protective Systems, Dubai. Tel. 04-2048312

Oilfield & Natural Gas related activities
Initial approval from Ruler's Court

Money Exchange 
Initial approval from Central Bank of UAE and Department of Protective Systems

Jewelry, Mobile SIM Card Trading, Stamp & Seal Making
Initial approval from Department of Protective Systems

Supermarket
For supermarket, 2000 square feet area is required.

 To prepare your court agreements and amendments, call:

Branch of a Foreign Company

Branches and Representative Offices of Foreign Commercial Companies 

The Commercial Companies Law also covers the formation and regulation of branches and representative offices of foreign companies in the UAE and stipulates that they may be 100% foreign owned, provided a local agent is appointed. 

Only UAE nationals or companies 100% owned by UAE nationals may be appointed as local agents (which should not be confused with the term "commercial agent"). Local agents - also sometimes referred to as sponsors -- are not involved in the operations of the company but assist in obtaining visas, labour cards, etc and are paid a lump sum and/or a percentage of profits or turnover. In general, branches and offices of foreign commercial companies are not licensed to engage in importing activity except for re-export or in the case of products of a highly technical nature. 

To establish a branch or representative office in Dubai, a foreign commercial company should proceed as follows: 

 Apply for a license from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, submitting an  
agency agreement with a UAE national or 100% UAE owned company. Before 
issuing the licence, the Ministry will: 

 forward the application to the Department of Economic Development to obtain the approval of the Dubai government; 

 forward the application specifying the activity that the office or branch will be 
authorised to undertake in the UAE, to the Federal Foreign Companies 
Committee for approval; 

 Once this has been done, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce will issue the required Ministerial licence specifying the activity to be practiced by the foreign company; 

 The branch or office should be entered in the Economic Department's Commercial Register, and the required licence will be issued; 

 The branch or office should also be entered in the Foreign Companies Register of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce; 

 Finally the branch or office should be registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. read more

 Branches and Representative Offices of Foreign Professional Companies 

Branches and representative offices of foreign professional firms may be 100% foreign owned provided UAE nationals or 100% UAE owned companies are appointed as local agents. Such agents are not involved in the operations of the firm but assist in obtaining visas, labour cards etc and are paid a lump sum as remuneration. The Department of Economic Developmentt is the authority in charge of licensing such branches or representational offices

Change of Location-Office/Shop

What are the procedures required in Economic Department to change our trade license address in Dubai?

STEPS TO FOLLOW

1. Make ready your new Tenancy Contract and register it through EJARI online system.

2.Take the following Documents to Economic Department (DED):

• Type and sign DED form (BR/1) for location change (can be typed from Typing Centre)
• Tenancy Contract and EJARI Registration Certificate
• Existing Trade License copy
• Owner's/Partners' Passport copy

3. First, take the token from reception for Planning Department. After verification they will write their approval on backside of the DED form

• Go to the Reception again and take token for DED submission.
 
• DED Officer will change the license information in their system and issue the payment voucher of Dh610.

PAY at the Cashier and get the license. If you have Online Account, you can pay through Credit Card / Direct Debit.
 
At the time of Renewal: If you are doing location change at the time of license renewal, then payment voucher will include renewal fees also.

Changing Establishment License to LLC