How to Get a Company Registration Number in UAE?

Starting a business in Dubai, UAE, is an incredible opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and budding investors across the globe. However, the process requires fulfilling specific legal requirements, such as obtaining a company registration number in UAE, a unique identifier issued by the authorities to the business. This number is further used for other legal operations, such as opening a corporate bank account, applying for licenses, and complying with government regulations.

Whether you are a startup owner or an established entrepreneur, it’s crucial to understand the process of getting a UAE company registration number to form and run a business smoothly.

What is a company registration number in UAE?

A company registration number is a unique identification number issued to businesses upon successful incorporation. This number acts as a tool for authentication and verification in all official transactions, thereby ensuring that the incorporated company is recognised as an individual entity under UAE law.

The key features of a Dubai company registration number are as follows:-

• Issued during the official registration of a company.
• Unique and remains unchanged throughout the existence of the company.
• Used in official documents, legal activities, and business transactions.
• The format and issuing authority are different for different countries.
• Needs to be renewed periodically, typically annually.

Significance of the company registration number UAE

The Dubai company registration number is vital in the corporate landscape of the UAE. Here’s how:

• Legal Identity: Provides legal identity to the business and differentiates it from other entities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps regulatory authorities monitor the company’s compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Business Operations: Prove the legitimacy of the business to conduct most operations, such as banking, securing contracts, and engaging in trade.
• Tax and Financial Reporting: For filing taxes, preparing annual reports, and corporate documentation.
• Government Communication: Helps authorities communicate with the company.

How is the UAE company registration number different from other business identifiers?

Although the Company Registration Number, the Trade License Number, and the Tax Registration Number (TRN) are unique identifiers of a business, they all serve different purposes:-

1. Trade License Number

Issued during the business licensing process, this number provides businesses with the authorization to legally operate within a specific jurisdiction in the UAE.

2. Tax Registration Number (TRN)

Specifically used for Value-Added Tax (VAT) purposes issued by FTA, including tax filing and compliance, managing and remitting VAT to the government, and more.

3. Company Registration Number (CRN)

Links to various aspects of a company’s existence and operations, including official documentation, legal transactions, and governmental correspondence.

Here’s a table highlighting the differences between distinct business identifiers in the UAE:-

Thus, each identifier is pivotal in business administration and compliance, playing an important role for companies to understand and use them appropriately.

How to get company registration number in UAE: Step-by-step procedure

Following structured steps for obtaining a company registration number UAE ensures that the business complies with local laws and regulations. The process may vary depending on the jurisdiction chosen for business setup. However, the general procedure involves the following steps:-

Step 1: Choose Your Business Location and Type

Pick a jurisdiction where you wish to establish your company. The primary options include the following: –

• Free Zone: Although these zones are governed by their own specific regulations, they offer benefits like full foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and customs duty exemptions.
• Mainland: A suitable option for businesses that want to trade directly with the local UAE market without the intervention of a local distributor. Moreover, with the recent changes in the law, the mainland now allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors. However, certain sectors may still require local partnership.
• Offshore: Ideal for businesses focused on wealth management and asset management without the need for a physical office setup in the UAE.

Step 2: Select a Business Activity

Before proceeding further, you need to determine the specific activities of your business to define the licensing authority and the type of license required. The UAE has classified business activities in different categories, and regulatory requirements for each activity may vary accordingly.

Step 3: Choose the Business Structure

Before applying for a Company Registration Number in UAE, decide on the legal structure that best suits your business operations. Some of the common structures include:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Suitable for mainland businesses with multiple shareholders.
• Sole Proprietorship: Owned by a single individual who will be solely responsible for all liabilities.
• Branch Office: An extension of a foreign/local company, also known as the parent company.
• Free Zone Company: Established in free zones, offering benefits like foreign ownership and tax exemptions.

This particular step is very crucial as it helps determine the regulations that need to be followed and the licensing authority that will register the company.

Step 4: Choose and Register a Business Name

The trading name you choose for your company must adhere to the naming conventions of the UAE government. For instance, avoid names of known institutions, offensive language, or abbreviations. Also, make sure that the name is approved by the relevant authority in the jurisdiction – Department of Economic Development (DED) or the free zone authority.

Step 5: Prepare Required Documents

The documents typically required for a Dubai company registration number include the following:

• Application form
• Business plan
• Passport copies of the shareholders
• Proof of initial capital
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current sponsor

Based on the business type of business and location, authorities may ask for additional documents.

Step 6: Obtain Preliminary Approvals

You need to obtain initial approvals from the relevant government authorities and special approvals from external entities, depending on the specific business activity. For example, the health department, the Ministry of Environment, etc.

Step 7: Lease Office Space

Address proof is vital in the company registration process. Therefore, business owners must find an office space in the free zone or on the mainland as per their requirements and draft a well-structured lease agreement to proceed with the final registration.

Step 8: Pay Fees and Obtain License

Once all documents are approved by the authorities, pay the requested fee and get the license from the relevant authority.

Step 9: Register with the Chamber of Commerce

Every new business needs to be registered with the Chamber of Commerce to become a recognised entity in the UAE. Hence, business owners must submit their license and other documents to the concerned department.

Step 10: Obtain Your Company Registration Number

After completing these steps, the business owner will receive their CRN, which is typically included in the business license and can be used in all legal, business, and government transactions.

Step 11: Post-Registration Procedures

Depending on the type of business, additional registrations may be required, such as VAT registration or customs registration for trading ventures.

Documents required for UAE company registration number

Business owners must submit the following documents to the concerned authorities for obtaining company registration number in UAE:-

• Passport, Visa, and Emirates ID copies of the company shareholders
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current employer (for resident shareholders)
• Lease agreement
• A well-structured business plan

There can be more documents required. For more assistance, you can contact our experts.

Cost of company registration number in UAE

The cost of company registration in the UAE depends on the nature of the business activity, the number of visas, office space, and specific regulations in the respective jurisdiction. Moreover, additional charges may apply for trade name reservations, external approvals, local service agent fees, and office rent.

For an accurate estimate and customized cost based on your specific needs and budget, consult with Dubiz experts.

Conclusion

Thus, a company registration number in UAE is not just a legal requirement but a key to business growth and financial security. It facilitates smooth operations and ensures compliance within the diverse market of the UAE.

Therefore, entrepreneurs and investors planning a business setup in the region must ensure that to understand and maintain the significance and purpose of CRN to make the process easy and build a legally recognized company in the UAE.

Get your business registered with Dubiz

Partnering with experts like Dubiz will not only streamline the company registration process but also ensure compliance with UAE regulations. Our business professionals are highly experienced and qualified and will help you navigate the registration process efficiently and handle all the administrative and legal tasks on your behalf, so that you can exert your complete focus on growing your business in the UAE.

Connect with our advisors today!

📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485

💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485

📧 Email: info@dubiz.co

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