The UAE boasts the Middle East’s third-largest economy, reaching a GDP of US$415 billion (AED 1.83 trillion), according to the 2021-2023 IMF report. As more businesses are established in the UAE, it is significant to check the legitimacy of a company’s trade license.
This license is an official permission to conduct business in the UAE, and it’s essential to ensure the company complies with the country’s regulations. Before engaging with a company or establishing business ties, checking the legitimacy and compliance of the trade license online is recommended.
In this article, we will discuss why trade licenses are important for businesses, focusing on how to check trade licenses online and through other means in the UAE. Along with highlighting the process, Now Consultant helps you verify the company’s legal status and check the trade license through the company or license number.
Why Trade License Is So Important For Businesses In UAE?
Getting a trade license in Dubai offers numerous advantages that contribute significantly to the success and growth of businesses in the UAE. Here are some important benefits:
Legal Approval:
A Dubai trade license permits businesses to do business in the city. It ensures they follow all the local rules and helps create a reliable business atmosphere.
Diverse Business Activities:
Dubai’s general trading licenses are flexible, allowing companies to do a range of activities like importing, exporting, and other business operations.
Access to Dubai Free Zones
Businesses in Dubai Free Zones can get a trade license, which offers unique business advantages, like tax exemption and full foreign ownership.
Global Business Opportunities
Dubai’s strategic location as a global business hub creates significant opportunities for international trade. Having a trade license makes it easy to join the global market smoothly.
How to Check a Trade License Online In UAE?
Checking a trade license is now easy and convenient through online verification. The Dubai Economic Department (DED) offers an online tool called ‘Business Verification’ on its website. This tool lets you easily search and confirm the trade license of any company registered in Dubai.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to verify a trade license online:
- Start by visiting the DED’s online portal, where you can find various services related to trade licenses and business verification.
- Look for the option ‘Search License Information’ or a similar link to access the portal to verify licenses, also a image is attached for your convenience.
- You need to enter the trade license number of the company, company details, or any other relevant information asked on the website portal.
- After entering the required details, click the “Check Status” button to check the company’s trade license status.
- The online system will handle your request and show the company’s trade license status. This also includes additional information about the license’s validity, whether it needs renewal, and any pending actions or fees.
The online verification process typically gives you accurate and current details about the trade license. It is important to be aware that certain fraudulent businesses may employ counterfeit trade license numbers. Therefore, it’s wise to explore additional verification methods as well.
Other Ways To Verify a Trade License In UAE:
The following are the alternative methods to check your company’s trade license in the UAE:
Physical Verification:
Another way to confirm a trade license’s validity is by physically checking it. This means visiting the company’s registered office to verify the company’s trade license. Here are the steps to follow for physical verification:
- Obtain the company’s trade license number or trade name.
- Go to the physical address listed on the trade license.
- Request to analyze the trade license and other important documents like the company’s registration certificate, lease agreement, and commercial agreements.
- Confirm the documents’ legitimacy by examining their design, layout, and security features commonly present in official documents.
- Double-check and compare the documents’ details with the information on the DED website to verify the company’s trade license in the UAE.
Although physical verification takes longer but it offers the highest assurance of a trade license’s legitimacy.
Checking with Government Agencies:
Besides checking online or visiting the company’s office, you can verify a trade license by reaching out to government agencies. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is Dubai’s main authority for trade licenses in Dubai and the UAE.
- Contact the DED’s customer service or relevant departments to confirm the authenticity of a license.
- You can also contact other government agencies like the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) or Dubai Customs to gather more information about the company and its trade license.
When contacting government agencies, sharing the trade license number or trade name is recommended for better and faster assistance. The officials will typically confirm the license’s status, issuance date, and expiry, ensuring all the details align with the official records.
Check Company Information Online in the UAE
If you want to check the company information in the UAE, just follow the simple steps outlined below:
- Go to the MOHRE Enquiry Services.
- In the “Choose a Service” option, select the “Company Information” option from the list of services.
- Enter the Company number and press the search button.
- A page will be open in front of you. Here you can check company information at the bottom of this page, including category, class, license number, type, and work permit quota.
You can easily get the company’s information in the UAE with these easy steps.
How We Can Help You In This Case?
One of the best ways to check a company’s trade license is to get help from business advisors like Now Consultants in Dubai and the UAE. The professionals at Now Consultant possess expertise in checking trade licenses and are well-equipped to provide comprehensive guidance through the outlined procedures.
FAQs:
Can I Verify My Trade License Offline?
You can verify your trade license offline by physically going or approaching customer support at the Dubai Department of Economic Development. You can also access the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) or Dubai Customs to check your trade license offline.
What To Do If a Trade License Expires?
If your trade license expires, you must renew it through the online services provided by the DED or the relevant free zone authority website. Keep in mind that the fine for an expired trade license in Dubai ranges from AED 5,000 to AED 50,000, depending on the type of operation.
How Long Is a Trade License Valid In The UAE?
In mainland UAE, a trade license is valid for one year and requires annual renewal. In Free Zones, the duration of a trade license validity varies depending on the specific Free Zone Authority, ranging from one to five years.
Is There Any Online Portal For Trade License Verification?
Yes, you can verify your trade license legitimacy through the DED’s eServices portal for mainland businesses or the free zone authority’s website for free zone businesses. The DCCI also offers e-services for searching and confirming trade license authenticity.
