UAE businesses often confuse the roles of a PRO (Public Relations Officer) and a Company Secretary. Both handle administrative tasks, but they serve different functions. Here is a clear breakdown.
What Is a UAE PRO?
A PRO (Public Relations Officer) is a person who handles government-related transactions on behalf of a company. PRO tasks in the UAE: processing visa applications at immigration (GDRFA/ICP), typing applications at government service centres (Tasheel, Amer), collecting and delivering documents from/to government offices, renewing trade licences at DED or free zone authority, processing establishment card renewals, and handling MOHRE-related paperwork. PRO services can be hired as a full-time employee, part-time employee, or outsourced to a PRO service company (typically AED 5,000–15,000/year for a standard package covering visa renewals and licence renewal).
What Is a UAE Company Secretary?
A Company Secretary handles statutory corporate compliance: maintaining the shareholder register and director register, drafting board resolutions and minutes, advising the board on corporate governance obligations, filing annual returns with the free zone or companies authority, managing changes to the MOA (amendments to activities, share capital, shareholders), and coordinating the annual audit. Company Secretary services are typically provided by corporate services firms or chartered secretaries: AED 3,000–10,000/year for outsourced services.
Do You Need Both?
Most UAE SMEs outsource both functions: PRO handles all government office transactions (visas, licence renewal), company secretary handles statutory records and resolutions. Many corporate services firms bundle both services into a package of AED 8,000–20,000/year — covering visa processing, licence renewal, UBO register maintenance, and board resolution drafting.