When you want to do business with confidence in Dubai, verifying a company's trade license is essential. With over 24,600 new business licenses issued in Dubai in the first quarter of 2022, a 58% increase from the previous year, the city's business environment is dynamic and fast-moving.

A valid Dubai trade license not only confirms a business’s legal standing but also helps you avoid financial risks, scams, or partnerships with unauthorised companies.

This blog guides you step-by-step through the Dubai Trade License Check process and shows you how to verify any company’s legitimacy online through trusted government portals.

Key Takeaways

• A Dubai Trade License Check is essential to confirm a company’s legal status, protecting you from fraud and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
• The verification process requires key details like the trade license number and company name, and is done online via official portals such as the Department of Economic Development (DED).
• Knowing a license’s status (active, expired, suspended) helps you assess the legitimacy and operational authority of a business, reducing legal and financial risks.
• Free zone companies have distinct verification portals and rules compared to mainland businesses, so it’s crucial to check using the appropriate platform.
• Regularly verifying trade licenses before partnerships or transactions safeguards your business reputation and investment in Dubai’s competitive market.

What is a Dubai Trade License?

A Dubai trade license is an official legal permit issued primarily by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or relevant Free Zone Authority that authorizes you to conduct specific business activities within the emirate. 

It serves as the foundation for operating any legal business in Dubai, whether you’re selling goods, providing professional services, manufacturing products, or working in tourism. Without this license, a company or individual cannot legally trade or offer services in Dubai.

Dubai offers several types of trade licenses tailored to different activities:

• Commercial License: For businesses involved in buying, selling, importing, or exporting goods. It supports retail, wholesale, and general trading activities.
• Professional License: Designed for service providers and freelancers such as consultants, accountants, or legal firms. This license allows 100% ownership without the need for a local sponsor.
• Industrial License: For companies engaged in manufacturing and production activities, such as factories and assembly plants. A physical office or facility in Dubai is mandatory.
• Tourism License: Specific to travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality businesses, subject to unique regulatory requirements.

Getting your trade license is not only a legal requirement but also key to opening corporate bank accounts, obtaining visas, and gaining market credibility in Dubai’s competitive business environment.

Before you explore how to check a Dubai trade license, it’s crucial to understand why this verification step plays a pivotal role in your business dealings and overall risk management.

Why is a Dubai Trade License Check Important for a Business?

Performing a Dubai trade license check is more than a procedural formality; it's a vital practice that safeguards your business interests in multiple ways. Moreover, in Dubai’s business scene, making the right partnerships can shape your company’s future. 

Before you get involved with a new vendor, client, or investor, ensure their business is properly licensed.

Here’s why a Dubai trade license check matters for your business: 

• Shields you from fraud by confirming if a business is legally authorized to operate in Dubai.
• Reveals if the license is active, expired, suspended, or revoked—so you don’t risk engaging with a non-compliant company.
• Helps you avoid unexpected legal penalties, costly disputes, and contract issues arising from doing business with unlicensed firms.
• Shows due diligence, improving your professional reputation with partners, clients, and investors.
• Encourages ongoing internal compliance if you regularly verify the licenses of your own partners and suppliers.

To effectively verify a Dubai trade license, you need to know which official authorities and platforms provide reliable and updated information.

Key Government Authorities and Platforms for Dubai Trade License Verification

Dubai’s business licensing and verification processes primarily involve multiple authoritative entities and user-friendly online platforms:

• Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai:

The DED is the main authority responsible for issuing and regulating trade licenses on Dubai mainland. Their official DED e-Services Portal allows you to easily search by trade license number or company name to check license status, business activities, and expiry dates. 

Official portal: eservices.dubaided.gov.ae 

• Dubai Economy App:

Designed for convenience, this mobile app provides on-the-go access to DED’s verification services, letting you check licenses anytime from your smartphone without visiting the website. Available on Android and iOS platforms, it offers instant results ideal for business meetings or quick verifications.

• Free Zone Authorities:

Dubai hosts over 30 free zones, each governed by its own authority with separate trade license issuance and verification portals. Examples include the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA). You will need to visit the specific free zone’s website to verify the licenses of companies registered there.

Key portals:

• DMCC: dmcc.ae
• JAFZA: jafza.ae
• DAFZA: dafza.ae

• National Economic Register (NER) / UAE Ministry of Economy:

For a combined overview of companies across all emirates, including Dubai, the NER and Ministry of Economy platforms provide integrated commercial registry services. This is useful if you want to verify licenses across multiple jurisdictions or confirm broader company information.

Official portal: moet.gov.ae

• Unified Commercial Registry (UCR):

Another government platform consolidating commercial data from all emirates, helping you verify mainland companies quickly via a single interface. Ideal for cross-emirate verification or due diligence during major investments. Access via the UCR portal.

Having understood why verifying a Dubai trade license is critical for your business security and compliance, the next step is knowing how to perform this check efficiently.

How to Check a Dubai Trade License: Step-by-Step Guide

Checking a Dubai trade license online is straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps. Here’s exactly what to do:

• Gather Required Information: Obtain key details such as the company’s trade license number, official trade name, or registration number. These are essential for a smooth search.
• Identify the Correct Portal:
  
  • For mainland companies, use the Department of Economic Development (DED) e-Services Portal.
  • For free zone companies, access the specific free zone authority’s website (e.g., DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA).
  • For a broader verification, you can also check the National Economic Register (NER) or the UAE Ministry of Economy’s commercial registry.
• Navigate to the Business Verification Section: On the chosen portal, locate sections like “Trade License Search,” “Business Name Search,” or “Company Verification.”
• Input the Details: Enter the trade license number, company name, or other required info carefully. Complete any CAPTCHA or security checks as prompted.
• Review the Results: The portal will display the license status, whether active, expired, suspended, or cancelled, along with business details such as license type, issue date, expiry date, and authorized activities.
• Take Next Steps if Needed: If the information doesn’t match your expectations or you find discrepancies, contact the issuing authority directly for clarification before proceeding with any business engagement.

To fully grasp the verification process, it’s important to understand the distinct regulatory environments and implications tied to Dubai’s two main business setups: Free Zones and Mainland.

Special Cases: Free Zones & Mainland Differences

Dubai’s Free Zones and Mainland areas each operate under unique legal frameworks and authorities, which shape licensing requirements and verification processes:

• Regulatory Bodies: Mainland companies are licensed and regulated by the Department of Economic Development (DED), while Free Zone businesses fall under various independent Free Zone Authorities like DMCC, JAFZA, or DAFZA, each with its own licensing system and rules.
• Business Scope: Mainland companies enjoy unrestricted access to operate throughout the UAE and can engage in both B2B and B2C markets, including government contracts. Free Zone companies primarily operate within their designated zones and internationally, but cannot trade directly in the mainland UAE without a local agent or distributor.
• Ownership and Sponsorship: Mainland businesses traditionally required a UAE national to hold at least 51% ownership, though recent reforms now allow 100% foreign ownership in many sectors. Free Zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership without local sponsors.
• Office and Visa Requirements: Mainland businesses must secure physical office space, affecting visa eligibility and operational costs. Free Zones often offer flexible office solutions, including virtual offices, with visa quotas varying accordingly.
• Trade License Verification: Since Free Zones operate under separate authorities, their licenses must be checked through respective Free Zone portals. Mainland licenses are verified via the DED portal or linked government registries.

To build on your understanding of trade license verification, it’s important to explore how advanced platforms like AiPrise can streamline and enhance this process for your business.

How AiPrise Can Help You With a Trade License Check?

AiPrise offers a modern, AI-based platform designed to deliver comprehensive, real-time trade license verification and company due diligence specifically tailored for the UAE market. 

Here’s how AiPrise adds precise value:

• Comprehensive Data: Integrates local and international databases for up-to-date license status, ownership, and business activities.
• Real-Time Updates: Provides instant verification of license validity, active, expired, suspended, or canceled, without delays.
• Fraud Detection: Uses AI to flag suspicious licenses by analyzing ownership inconsistencies and historical anomalies.
• AML & KYC Compliance: Automates regulatory checks on companies and individuals to ensure full legal compliance.
• User-Friendly Interface: Enables quick searches and clear reports to speed up due diligence and reduce errors.
• Continuous Monitoring: Sends alerts on any changes in license status or ownership to protect long-term partnerships.

Take control of your business partnerships today, use AiPrise to perform fast, accurate Dubai trade license checks and protect your investments with real-time verification and fraud detection. Get started now!

Wrapping Up

Verifying a Dubai trade license is a non-negotiable step to ensure you engage only with legally compliant and trustworthy businesses. By using official government portals or advanced platforms like AiPrise, you can access real-time, accurate license data, minimize risks of fraud, and maintain regulatory compliance. 

Regular verification protects your investments, streamlines due diligence, and strengthens your business reputation in Dubai’s competitive market.

Don’t leave your business decisions to chance; start verifying trade licenses today using AiPrise. Book A Demo!

FAQs

1. Can I verify a trade license outside of Dubai or the UAE?

No, Dubai’s verification portals only cover businesses registered within the emirate or the UAE. For other countries, use local government registries.

2. Is there a fee to check a Dubai trade license online?

No, checking a business license via official government portals such as the DED or free zone websites is free of charge.

3. Are license details available in English?

Yes, most official Dubai verification platforms offer both English and Arabic language options for user convenience.

4. Can I check the history of changes made to a company’s trade license?

Most basic free checks show the current status only. For full change logs or historical license alterations, you may need to request an official document from the relevant authority.

5. What should I do if the trade license details are incomplete or missing?

Contact the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the respective Free Zone Authority for clarification and updated records before proceeding with any business activity.