UAE Commercial Register and Business Licence Verification 2026
UAE free zone company licences can be verified through official channels. Here is the guide to UAE business licence verification and the UAE Commercial Register.
UAE Business Licence Verification
When dealing with a UAE company (as a supplier, customer, or partner), you should always verify their business licence is valid. Methods:
Dubai DED (Department of Economy and Tourism) Verification
For Dubai mainland companies: Check via the Dubai DED website or the “Dubai Business” smart app. Enter the licence number to see current status.
Free Zone Verification
Most UAE free zones allow licence verification on their websites:
- DMCC: dmcc.ae company search
- JAFZA: jafza.ae licence verification
- IFZA: ifza.ae company search
- DIFC: difclegal.ae entity search
- ADGM: adgm.com entity search
UAE Ministry of Economy Business Registry
The UAE Ministry of Economy maintains a national business registry accessible via the UAE eServices portal. This covers most federal-level business registrations.
UAE Trade Licence — What the Licence Number Means
UAE free zone trade licence numbers are typically formatted as:
- [Free zone abbreviation]-[Year]-[Sequential number]
- Example: IFZA-2023-00001, DMCC-135421
How to Request a UAE Good Standing Certificate
A Good Standing Certificate (Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Good Standing) is an official document from the free zone authority confirming that a company:
- Is validly incorporated
- Has a current, valid trade licence
- Has paid all dues to the free zone authority
- Is in good regulatory standing
This document is commonly required for:
- Opening a bank account in another country
- International business partnerships
- Government and tender submissions
How to obtain: Submit a request to your free zone authority (usually through their online portal). Fee: AED 500-2,000. Timeline: 1-5 business days.