You’re ready to start your business in Dubai. You have a great idea, the drive to succeed, and you can already picture your office with that stunning skyline view. It’s an exciting time, but before you get caught up in the big picture, there’s one small but mighty detail that can make or break your plan: paperwork.
Having the right documents in place is the first step to getting your business license approved quickly and without unnecessary delays. Doesn’t matter if it’s a passport copy, a trade name reservation certificate, or a tenancy contract, each document plays a key role in making sure your business complies with UAE regulations. The better prepared you are, the faster you can get approvals and start running your business without hiccups.
We’ll break down exactly what documents are required for a business setup in Dubai, so you can confidently prepare your documents and get your business off the ground with ease.
What are the Key Documents Required for Business Setup in Dubai?
Before you can get your business license in Dubai, you’ll need to prepare a set of mandatory documents. This includes:
1. Passport Copies of Shareholders/Owners
You’ll need clear passport copies of all shareholders, owners, and partners in your business. The passport should be valid for at least six months. If any partner is a UAE resident, their visa page may also be required. These copies help the authorities verify identities before issuing approvals.
2. Visa Copy / Entry Stamp / Emirates ID (if applicable)
If you’re already in the UAE, you’ll need to provide a copy of your valid residence visa, your latest entry stamp, or your Emirates ID. This is essential for linking your new business to your immigration records and ensuring your legal status is valid.
3. Passport-size Photographs
A set of recent passport-sized photographs (usually with a white background) is needed for each shareholder or manager. These are used for government records, official IDs, and in some cases, visa processing.
4. No Objection Certificate (NOC)
If you’re employed in the UAE under a work visa, you must get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer or current sponsor. This shows that your sponsor has no objection to you starting your own business alongside your existing role.
5. Business Plan (for certain Free Zones)
Not all, but some free zones (especially those related to finance, tech, or media) require a simple business plan. This should outline your business model, target market, activities, and growth goals. Authorities use this to make sure your business activity matches the zone’s rules.
6. Memorandum of Association (MOA) & Articles of Association (AOA)
For companies like LLCs and partnerships, you’ll need a notarised MOA and AOA. These legal documents define your company’s ownership structure, business activities, profit-sharing ratio, and responsibilities of each partner. In some cases, these documents must be drafted in Arabic or translated officially.
7. Initial Approval Certificate
This is one of the first official steps in the process. The Initial Approval Certificate, issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the chosen free zone authority, confirms that the government has no objection to you starting a business. It allows you to move on with the next steps, such as office rental and drafting agreements.
8. Trade Name Reservation Certificate
Every business in Dubai must have a unique trade name. To secure your company’s name, you’ll need to apply for and obtain a Trade Name Reservation Certificate. The name must follow UAE naming guidelines (for example, no offensive words, no religious references, and proper use of personal names).
9. Tenancy Contract / Ejari (for Mainland Setup)
For mainland businesses, you must provide proof of office space through a tenancy contract. This contract must be registered with Ejari (Dubai’s official tenancy registration system). The office space is linked to your trade license and may also determine the number of visas your company can apply for.
10. Local Service Agent (LSA) Agreement
For professional license activities on the mainland, a Local Service Agent (LSA) is required. This is a UAE national who acts as a sponsor and assists with administrative procedures, though they have no ownership or financial stake in the company.
11. Additional Approvals (if required)
Some business activities require special approvals from government departments:
- Healthcare businesses: Ministry of Health or Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
- Education providers: Ministry of Education or Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
- Financial services: Central Bank of UAE or Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
- Food businesses: Dubai Municipality or Food Safety Department.
Quick Checklist:
To make things easier, here’s a quick checklist of the essential documents for company formation in Dubai.
| Document | Purpose |
| Passport Copies of Shareholders/Owners | To verify the identity and nationality of all partners. |
| Visa Copy / Entry Stamp / Emirates ID | Required if the investor is already in the UAE. |
| Passport-size Photographs | For government records, IDs, and visa processing. |
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Needed for UAE residents under a sponsor or employer. |
| Business Plan (for some Free Zones) | To outline business activity and growth strategy. |
| Memorandum of Association (MOA) & Articles of Association (AOA) | Defines company structure, roles, and ownership. |
| Initial Approval Certificate | Confirms that authorities have no objection to your setup. |
| Trade Name Reservation Certificate | Secures your company’s official trade name. |
| Tenancy Contract / Ejari (Mainland only) | Proof of office space linked to your trade license. |
| Additional Approvals (if required) | For specific industries like healthcare, education, finance, or food. |
Differences in Documents: Mainland vs Free Zone Setup
While many documents are common for both Mainland and Free Zone setups (like passport copies, visa copies, and trade name reservation certificates), there are a few key differences you should be aware of.
For Mainland Setup:
- A tenancy contract registered with Ejari is mandatory as proof of office space.
- MOA (Memorandum of Association) and AOA (Articles of Association) must be notarised.
- Approvals are required from the Department of Economic Development (DED).
- Extra approvals may be needed depending on the activity (e.g., healthcare, education, finance, etc.).
For Free Zone Setup:
- A tenancy contract is usually not required; many free zones offer flexi-desk or shared office options.
- Some free zones may ask for a business plan to evaluate your project.
- MOA/AOA requirements are often simplified compared to the Mainland.
- All approvals are handled by the Free Zone Authority, making the process faster and more straightforward.
How to Submit the Documents for Business Setup in Dubai?
Getting your paperwork right is only half the journey. Once your documents are ready, here’s how the submission process usually works in Dubai:
1. Choose Your Business Activity & Structure
Decide what kind of business you want to run and whether you’ll register as a Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore company.
2. Reserve Your Trade Name
Submit your preferred company name for approval to the DED (for Mainland) or the chosen Free Zone authority.
3. Apply for Initial Approval
Provide passport copies and basic details to get an Initial Approval Certificate. This confirms the authorities have no objection to your business.
4. Prepare Legal Documents (MOA & AOA)
Draft and notarise your Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA), if required for your business type.
5. Secure Office Space (if applicable)
For Mainland companies, register a tenancy contract with Ejari.
For Free Zone companies, you can often opt for a flexi-desk or shared office.
6. Submit Final Documents
Hand in your complete set of documents, including passport copies, NOC (if needed), MOA/AOA, tenancy contract, and initial approvals.
7. Obtain Additional Approvals (if required)
Get clearance from relevant authorities if your business falls under special activities such as healthcare, education, or finance.
8. Receive Your Trade License
Once all documents are verified and approved, the DED or Free Zone authority will issue your trade license, officially allowing you to start operations.
Let AE Setup Simplify the Process for You
Starting a business in Dubai is full of opportunities, but the first step is making sure your documents are in order. If anything is missing or not done properly, it can slow down the whole process. On the other hand, when your paperwork is clear and complete, getting your license becomes much faster and stress-free.
That’s where having an expert partner like All Emirates Setup makes all the difference. We know exactly what documents you need and how to get things done quickly. Our team takes care of everything – preparing, notarising, translating, and getting approvals, so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.
Talk to our experts today and kickstart your Dubai business with ease.
