How to Check Trade License Online in UAE

As a client, partner, new employee, or a business owner of a UAE company, you should know how to check a trade license online. It is because a trade license is essential for legal business operations in UAE that must remain active and up to date at all times.  

Checking a trade license confirms that a UAE company is legitimate and compliant with local laws. 

Quick summary: 

• You can check trade license status through the Department of Economy (DED) portal, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) portal, and the relevant free zone portals.
• To verify a license, you need company name, license number, or company registration number.
• Online license verification takes less than 5 minutes.
• Trade licenses are public documents. Anyone in the UAE has the legal right to verify a company’s license status. 

This guide explains how to check trade license online as well as offline in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, and other UAE Emirates. Dubiz Business Setup has cross-checked the steps on official UAE government portals, which apply today. In case you need help verifying, updating, or renewing your company’s license, we are always here to assist.

Types of Trade Licenses that can be Verified in UAE

You can inquire about all economic licenses issued by the UAE authorities. The main types include:

• Professional license: held by consultancies and service-oriented firms.
• Industrial license: for manufacturing and production companies.
• Commercial license: issued to retailers and e-commerce operators.

Here’s the thing:

Trade licenses in the UAE are issued in two main jurisdictions: mainland (DED) and free zone. Having clarity about the business jurisdiction will help you check the trade license correctly.

Which information is required to check a trade license in UAE?

To check trade license status in UAE, you will need at least one of these:

• The company’s trade name: The official name of the company registered with the DED or free zone authority.
• The trade license number: A unique identifier issued when the business license is granted.
• The company number (company registration number): A permanent number found on the company’s incorporation certificate.

Where to find: The information is usually found on company invoices, profiles, or the official websites.

Why does checking the trade license in UAE matter?  

A trade license is one of the main documents that confirms the legal recognition of a company under the UAE’s regulatory framework. Therefore, a trade license check helps confirm whether a business is real and trustworthy. Here are the advantages of regular checks:  

• Confirms that the trade license is active.
• Helps track the license expiry date so it can be renewed on time.
• Saves companies from fines and penalties (by confirming the license is compliant)
• Provides basic company information (name, activity, address) to stakeholders.
• Helps avoid fraud and scams by confirming a business’s legitimacy. 

How to Check a Trade License Online in UAE?

You can verify a trade license in UAE online using the trade name, company number, or license number, through these official online portals:

• Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) portal: Mainland business licenses can be searched through the respective DED portal of each emirate. Few examples:
  • DET Dubai/Invest in Dubai
  • ADDED/TAMM
  • Sharjah DED
  • Ajman DED…and so on
• MOHRE website: You can use the MOHRE website to check any registered trade license in UAE, regardless of the issuing location, by entering the company number.
• Free Zone portals: Each free zone in the UAE has its own license verification portal, where you can directly get the license details. Some examples include:
  • DMCC
  • JAFZA
  • RAKEZ
  • Ajman Free Zone

Please note: Only company owners can see the full license details. Public access is limited to license verification only.

Quick reference table for instant UAE trade license check 

Here are the official online portals where you can quickly check your UAE trade license: 

Now, in the following section, we will explore each of these methods one by one. 

How to check trade license online in Dubai?

In Dubai, you can check the status and validity of your trade license on Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) portal “Invest in Dubai”.

Step by step process of Dubai trade license check:

1. Visit the DET official website here: app.invest.dubai.ae
2. Under the Services drop-down, select “Search Business Activities.”
3. On clicking the above, you will be redirected to the service page.
4. Enter the license number, Dubai Unified License (DUL) number, or company name (English or Arabic).
5. You will get the license information and status (active, valid, expired).

This method works well for mainland business licenses.

For free zones trade license check in Dubai: If you have a Dubai free zone trade license, you can try here or check issuing that free zone authority’s portal. 

How to check trade license online in Abu Dhabi?

ADDED oversees trade licenses and information management in Abu Dhabi and provides trade license check service through its TAMM portal.

Step by step process for checking Abu Dhabi mainland trade license: 

1. Go to the digital portal tamm.abudhabi, provided by ADDED.
2. Under services for business, choose “start a business.”
3. Click on the economic license, scroll down, and select “Verify Economic License.”
4. Sign in on the portal to start the service.
5. Enter the details, such as the company name or license number.
6. View the latest license information and updates.

Checking Abu Dhabi trade license in free zone: 

If your company is registered in Abu Dhabi free zone like ADGM, Twofour54, or Masdar City, you should check through respective free zone’s official license search services. 

How to check trade license online in Ajman?

Ajman DED lets you check trade license status (active, expired, approved) after you enter your license number on its economic services portal.

Here the step-by-step online process of verifying Ajman business license: 

1. Visit the Ajman DED website here: eservices.ajmanded.ae
2. In the Services menu, locate the last option, “Self and Inquiry.”
3. Under “Self and Inquiry,” select “Trade License Inquiry.”
4. Enter the trade name or license number and click on “Search.”
5. You will get the details of the license issued by the Ajman authority including license type, company name, registered activities, and status.  

If you cannot find your trade license here, chances are that you have a free zone license maybe from Ajman free zone, Ajman Media City, NuVentures, etc. In that case, please contact the respective free zone authority or visit their portal. 

How to check trade license online in Sharjah?

For companies registered in Sharjah, their trade license information can be checked directly through Emirates’s inquiry services which is easily available on its website. 

• Access Sharjah’s DED online portal eservices.sedd.ae
• Look for the “Trade License Inquiry” service on the homepage.
• Input your trade name or license number.
• Clear the captcha and click the search button.
• The result will show the name of the company and its license details.

OR

1. Visit the respective Sharjah free zone’s portal. 
2. Look for trade license inquiry services. 
3. Enter details asked for. 
4. Retrieve the trade license information. 

How to check trade license in Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain?

For these Emirates, we recommend you visit the respective DED websites to collect license information:  

• Fujairah: Fujairah DED 
• Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah DED
• Umm Al Quwain: Umm Al Quwain DED  

What is the procedure of checking a free zone trade license in UAE?  

50+ free zones in UAE operate independently. Their licensing regulation is also different. Therefore, companies operating in UAE free zones should know how to check trade licence through the respective free zone portal.  

Simply, follow these general instructions (5 steps):  

1. Visit the concerned free zones’ official portal (DIFC, AFZ, DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, etc.). 
2. Look for the “License Verification” (or similar) service on the website.
3. To verify the business license, enter the license number or the company name.
4. Clear the captcha given.
5. Click on “search,” and the license information will be displayed on screen.  

How to inquire about a UAE trade license through MoHRE? (Nationwide verification)

MoHRE provides a single, unified portal to verify any company trade license issued in the UAE. Here’s how to check trade license online through MoHRE:

• Go to the MoHRE inquiry services
• Under Inquiry Services, choose “Company information.”
• Enter the company number and solve the captcha
• Enter search button
• A page will open containing the company information, including the license number, business category, license type, etc.

Offline methods to check trade license in UAE (if online doesn’t suit you)  

Digital platforms make trade license inquiries easier, but they may not suit everyone. Especially if you prefer human assistance. In that case, you can visit dedicated service centers, government offices, or call the helpline to check your UAE trade license.  

1. Verifying the UAE trade license via the UAE government agencies:

• Primary licensing authority in the UAE (DED or free zone): To confirm a license, you can directly visit the DED office or the relevant free zone authority.
• The Dubai Chamber of Commerce (DCCI): DCCI can provide valuable information about a company registered in the UAE.
• Dubai customs: For import/export business license inquiry, you can reach out to Dubai customs.

2. Using the DED government helpline:

You can call on the customer care of the Department of Economy to inquire about your trade license:

What details can you get through a trade license check in UAE?

When you perform a trade license check in UAE, you typically can view:

• Company name (English/Arabic)
• License number
• License type
• Business category (activity)
• License status (active/expired/cancelled)
• Expiry date
• Registered address
• Legal form

The details may vary based on the portal from which you are getting license information.

Can’t find the Company’s License? Here is What to Do

If you cannot find a trade license online, do this:

• Ensure the company name or license number you entered is correct.
• Make sure you are searching under the correct jurisdiction, mainland, or the relevant free zone (A free zone license may not appear on the DED portal and vice versa).
• Use only authorized government channels (unauthorized websites only steal data!).

If you still cannot find it, we recommend contacting the relevant licensing authority for assistance.

What to do if the trade license showing as invalid?  

If the trade license is showing as invalid, it means the business can no longer operate legally in UAE. In that case, you should take immediate action:  

• Update the information on your UAE trade license on the portal.
• Upload any missing documents.
• Renew the license if required and pay any applicable fines.  

If you are confident there is no issue from your side, contact the relevant licensing authority for clarification.  

How to Check Trade License Fines in Dubai? (most asked query)

Most of the entrepreneurs ask how to check trade license fine in Dubai. Here’s the step-by-step process to follow:

• Visit the Dubai Municipality portal here: dm.gov.ae
• Under “check and pay”, choose “check your fines.”
• Select “Company” from the drop-down menu.
• Enter the trade license number and click the “check” button.
• Any fines associated with your trade license will be displayed.

The portal also provides an option to pay due fines instantly through online banking and cards.

Dubiz Simplifies the UAE Trade License

Knowing how to check trade license online in UAE helps you stay updated and vigilant. It keeps your business operations smooth and allows you to take necessary action when required. Even as an individual (when dealing with a certain company), it is wise to verify company’s authenticity through a trade license check to save yourself from fraud.

Dubiz Business Setup can help you with all matters related to a UAE trade license, whether it is a new application, renewal, or amendments. Our company formation experts in UAE handle the entire process – from the initial application to document submission, renewals, and more. Call us to make your business setup in Dubai completely stress-free. 

📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485

💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485

📧 Email: info@dubiz.co

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