Before registering a UAE free zone company, you must confirm that your chosen trade name is available and complies with UAE naming regulations. Each free zone and emirate has its own name availability checker and naming rules.
General UAE Naming Rules
- Names must not be identical or too similar to existing UAE companies
- Names must not include offensive, religious (without MOF approval), or government-related terms
- Names using a person’s name require that person to be a shareholder or director
- Certain words (Bank, Insurance, Investment, UAE) require special ministerial approval
- Names must use transliteration conventions acceptable to the free zone authority
How to Check Name Availability by Authority
| Authority | Name Check Method |
|---|---|
| DMCC | Online at dmcc.ae/company-search |
| DIFC | Through DIFC registrar portal |
| IFZA | Via IFZA client portal or business setup partner |
| RAKEZ | Online at rakez.com/company-search |
| Dubai DED (mainland) | Dubai DED app or service centre |
| Any free zone | Ask your registered agent/formation company to check |
Name Reservation
Once your name is approved, you can typically reserve it for 30–90 days (varies by free zone) while you complete the incorporation process. Reservation fees range from free to AED 500. Some free zones reserve the name automatically as part of the application process without a separate reservation step.
Trade Mark Protection
A UAE free zone company name registration does NOT protect your brand name as a trade mark. To prevent competitors from using your brand, file a trade mark with the UAE Ministry of Economy Trade Marks Registry. UAE trade mark registration costs AED 750–4,000 per class and protects your mark nationally for 10 years.