Company registration in Dubai (UAE) must be completed with the Department of Economic Development (DED), the equivalent of trade registers in other countries. Also, free zone authorities have this function in Dubai’s special economic areas. No matter where you decide to register your business, our Dubai lawyers can offer representation.
Below, you can find out the main roles of the DED, as well as how we can represent you when performing various actions related to your company.
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How to register a business in Dubai
To legally operate in Dubai, a local or foreign investor must register a company with the Department of Economic Development. The steps to complete are as follows:
- reserve a company name;
- prepare the necessary documents for company registration (please note that foreign-issued papers must first be translated into Arabic and notarized before submission);
- file the paperwork, which will be verified by DED agents.
Company registration with the Trade Register in Dubai has two components:
- the issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation;
- the release of the trading license.
Feel free to ask our law firm in Dubai any questions about the procedure. Also, if you cannot be present for one or more stages of the registration process, we offer representation services.
Documents to prepare for company registration in Dubai
Considering we mentioned as a main step to register a company in Dubai, the gathering of various documents, here is what you need to prepare:
- ID/valid passport and Dubai residence permit if you are a shareholder in the company;
- Articles of Association if you plan to register a private or public company;
- details of the director;
- proof of having a legal address in Dubai.
Similar documents must be prepared if you want to register a business in a Dubai free zone. However, our lawyers can guide you on a case-to-case basis, depending on the free zone you decide on.
Other functions of the DED in Dubai
The Dubai Trade Register is an important authority, as it keeps track of all businesses incorporated in this Emirate and is also in charge of other operations. Here are some of them:
- trading name verification and reservation;
- issuing initial approval for company registration (this step may be necessary in the case of local and foreign companies that must obtain other special licenses);
- recording company modifications;
- amending trade licenses;
- renewing trade authorizations;
- cancelling trade permits;
- enabling searches by third parties;
- issuing various documents that are necessary for a company to prove it is legally registered.
Please note that the Dubai DED is linked to the UAE Trade Registry. This means that when performing searches or seeking to obtain various official documents, you can also address the UAE Registrar. You can rely on our Dubai lawyers for guidance in both types of procedures.
Changes to be reported to the Trade Register in Dubai
Any modification that occurs at the company level must be notified to the DED. Alterations in the Articles of Association, in the shareholding or management structure, business address, trading name, or share capital of the enterprise must be reported. Following this, the Registrar will update its records and will amend the trade license.
How easy is it to register a business in Dubai?
During the first 6 months of 2025, 35,532 new companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, a 4% increase compared to the same period of last year. One of the reasons is the reduced bureaucracy and quick registration process, according to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, which shows that:
- business registration in the UAE takes 4 days to complete;
- the average time for company registration procedures in high-income states is 10 days.
As such, if you decide to register a business here, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers in Dubai for support.