In Dubai’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, the ability to verify a business entity is more than just a convenience it is a cornerstone of corporate due diligence. Whether you are an investor conducting KYC (Know Your Customer) on a potential partner, a vendor verifying a client’s legal standing, or an entrepreneur checking your own renewal status, knowing how to check a trade license online is essential.

As of 2025, the UAE has further integrated its digital government services, making transparency a priority under the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This guide provides an expert-level breakdown of the tools, portals, and technical steps required to verify mainland and free zone licenses.

Why Verify a Dubai Trade License?

Beyond simple curiosity, verifying a license through official channels ensures:

• Regulatory Compliance: Confirming the entity is not on a “blackist” and is compliant with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) regulations.

• Validity Check: Ensuring the license has not expired (licenses must be renewed annually in Dubai).

• Activity Scope: Confirming that the company is legally permitted to perform the specific business activities they claim to offer.

• Legal Structure: Identifying if the company is a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Sole Establishment, or a Branch of a Foreign Company.

How to Check a Mainland Trade License (Dubai DET)

For companies registered in Dubai Mainland, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)—formerly known as DED is the primary authority.

Step-by-Step via the DET Portal:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the Dubai DET Business Dashboard.

2. Access ‘Search Business License’: Use the “Search” or “e-Services” section.

3. Input Data: You can search by Trade Name (in English or Arabic) or the License Number.

4. Security Captcha: Complete the verification to view the public record.

Expert Insight: The DET search results will display the license status (Active/Expired), legal form, and registered address. However, it will not show private financial data or the full list of shareholders for privacy reasons, unless you have authorised access.

The National Economic Register (NER): UAE-Wide Verification

For a comprehensive search across all seven Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.), the Ministry of Economy (MoE) provides the National Economic Register (NER). This is the most authoritative federal database.

• Source: NER.ae (UAE Ministry of Economy)

• Data Provided: Unified Economic ID (CBL), License Number, Registering Authority (e.g., Fujairah Creative City, Shams, or Dubai DET), and expiry dates.

Why use the NER? If you are unsure whether a company is registered in a Free Zone or Mainland, the NER acts as a “single pane of glass” for the entire UAE business ecosystem.

Verifying Dubai Free Zone Licenses

Dubai hosts over 40 free zones, each with its own independent registry. If a company is registered in a free zone (like DMCC, JAFZA, or DAFZA), they may not always appear in the mainland DET database.

 

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

As the world’s leading free zone, DMCC maintains a robust Public Register. You can verify a company’s status, its registered office in JLT, and its licensed activities.

JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)

For industrial and logistics firms, the JAFZA Directory allows you to search for companies operating within the zone.

DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)

DAFZA provides a Client Directory that is frequently updated to reflect the 2,500+ companies operating under its jurisdiction.

Summary of Key Verification Portals (2025)

Understanding the Costs: Verification vs. Attestation

While searching for a trade license online is free, obtaining an official, stamped document for legal proceedings or bank account opening involves government fees.

Estimated Costs for 2025:

• Online Search: AED 0 (Free).

• Official Search Certificate (DET): Approx. AED 220 – AED 520 (depending on the level of detail).

• Attestation by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA): AED 150 – AED 2,000 (depending on the document type and commercial value).

• Vouchering/Digital Copy: Most authorities now provide a QR-coded digital license, which serves as an original.

   

Expert Tips: Avoiding “Ghost” Companies

As a consultant in the Dubai market, I often see investors misled by sophisticated “ghost” companies. To ensure absolute certainty:

1. Check the QR Code: Most 2025 Dubai trade licenses feature a QR code at the bottom. Scan it; it should link directly to a .gov.ae domain.

2. Verify the Office Address: Use the Ejari (for mainland) or the Free Zone’s lease record. A physical presence (even a flexi-desk) is a regulatory requirement for most activities under the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR).

3. Check the TRN: Use the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) portal to verify the Tax Registration Number. If a company claims a high turnover but has no valid TRN, this is a major red flag.

Common Pitfalls and Hidden Realities

• Name Discrepancies: Ensure you have the exact legal name. A company might trade as “Global Tech,” but its license name might be “Global Tech Software Trading LLC.”

• License Status “In Liquidation”: If a license status appears as “In Liquidation,” the company is legally winding down and cannot enter into new contracts.

• Expired Licenses: An expired license doesn’t always mean a company is fraudulent; it may be in a “grace period.” However, they cannot legally process visas or clear shipments until renewed.

Conclusion

Checking a trade license online in Dubai is a straightforward digital process, provided you know which authority governs the entity.

For mainland entities, the Dubai DET is your primary source; for free zones, individual registries or the Federal NER portal are best.

For C-suite executives and international investors, this verification is the first step in a robust risk management strategy.

In a market as dynamic as Dubai, staying informed through official government channels is the only way to ensure your business interests are protected.