We use cookies to provide the best site experience.
Co-Founder & CEO movingo
Editor
Author
Iakov Kukushkin
Copywriter, Journalist
Feb 19, 2026
If you are a business owner in the UAE and want to hire employees, you must have an establishment card. Without this document, you cannot sponsor employee visas or issue work permits, which means you cannot legally bring staff on board.
In this article, we'll explain what an establishment card is, walk you through how to obtain one, and outline the penalties for failing to renew it on time.
In this article, we'll explain what an establishment card is, walk you through how to obtain one, and outline the penalties for failing to renew it on time.
- What is an establishment card in the UAE?
- Establishment card validity period and processing time
- Where an establishment card is essential
- Who needs an establishment Card in the UAE?
- Mainland vs Free Zone establishment card: What’s the difference?
- Requirements and documents for an establishment card
- How to apply for an establishment card in Dubai (Mainland)
- How to apply for an establishment card in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates
- How to get an establishment card in a Free Zone
- How to check an establishment card online
- Establishment card number sample
- Establishment card fees in the UAE (2026)
- How to renew establishment card in Dubai: Step-by-step
- Penalties for late renewal
- How to amend, update, or replace an establishment card
- What happens if you lose your establishment card?
- Common mistakes businesses make
- Why businesses trust movingo for establishment card services
- Establishment card FAQ
What is an establishment card in the UAE?
Establishment card is an official document that registers your business with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Essentially, establishment card proves that your company is a legally recognized entity that is authorized to interact with immigration authorities. Without it, you are essentially a "one-person company," unable to hire, sponsor, or relocate employees.
Essentially, establishment card proves that your company is a legally recognized entity that is authorized to interact with immigration authorities. Without it, you are essentially a "one-person company," unable to hire, sponsor, or relocate employees.
What's the difference between an e-signature card and an establishment card?
Establishment card registers your company with Immigration, allowing for visa sponsorship.
E-signature card, also known as a Signature card, is a security tool issued to owners or managers for digitally authorizing and signing labor-related transactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
E-signature card, also known as a Signature card, is a security tool issued to owners or managers for digitally authorizing and signing labor-related transactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Establishment card validity period and processing time
In Dubai, the card is valid for 1 year on the Mainland and needs to be renewed yearly along with the trade license. However, in some Free Zones and other Emirates, it can last up to 2 or 3 years. The processing time is usually 2 to 5 business days. However, urgent applications are often cleared within 24 hours.
Where an establishment card is essential
-
Hiring staff
You cannot apply for an employment visa or work permit without it. -
Sponsoring dependents
If you are an investor or manager looking to sponsor your family, your company card must be active. -
Government portals
You can access smart services for visa renewals, cancellations, and status changes. -
Business continuity
Many banks and utility companies require a copy of your card to verify your company's legal status for corporate accounts.
Who needs an establishment Card in the UAE?
Every business entity that has been registered, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), sole proprietorships, and civil companies, must obtain an Establishment Card if it wishes to:
- Sponsor employees.
- Issue partner or investor visas.
- Apply for quotas with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Even if you are a single-owner consultancy, you need this card to obtain your own residency visa under your company.
Mainland vs Free Zone establishment card: What’s the difference?
The main difference is who issues the card and where your employees are permitted to work.
Requirements and documents for an establishment card
To apply in 2026, ensure you have clear digital copies of the following:
-
✅ Valid trade license
Commercial, Professional, Industrial, etc. -
✅ Partner or manager list
Often an attachment to the license. -
✅ Authorized signatory passports
Including the visa page and Emirates ID. -
✅ Authorized signatory passports
Including the visa page and Emirates ID. -
✅ Tenancy contract / Ejari
Provide evidence of a physical office or flexi-desk. -
✅ Company stamp
You might need a digital copy of your stamp for some forms.
How to apply for an establishment card in Dubai (Mainland)
The process for Dubai-based mainland companies is handled via GDRFA portal:
- Login: Use the GDRFA Smart Portal.
- Submit application: Choose "Establishment Support Services" — "Issuance of Establishment Card.”
- Upload documents: Attach your license, MOA, and partner IDs.
- Payment: Pay the issuance fees through the portal.
- Issuance: The digital card is available for download once approved, which usually takes 48 hours or less.
How to apply for an establishment card in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates
In Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and the Northern Emirates, the process is handled by the Federal Authority (ICP) portal:
- Register: Log in with your email and password via UAE Pass
- Service selection: Select "Issue Establishment Card" from the Organizations tab.
- Data entry: Enter the company details exactly as they appear on your license.
- Review: Make sure that all authorized signatories are listed correctly.
- Approval: Typically, ICP processes these within 2-3 business days.
How to get an establishment card in a Free Zone
Most Free Zones, like Meydan, DMCC, and SHAMS, include the establishment card as part of the package when you set up your business. But you can also apply yourself through the specific Free Zone’s member portal, such as the DMCC's Member Portal. They will issue a card and, in many cases, automatically register you for E-Channel services.
Need some help or want us to take over? Just let us know, and we'll get it done for you.
How to check an establishment card online
You don't need to guess if your card is still active.
-
Dubai companies
Use the GDRFA Dubai portal or the "DubaiNow" app to enter your establishment number or license number. -
Other Emirates
Use the ICP Smart Services portal's "Public Inquiry" section. -
MOHRE
You can also check the status of your establishment on the MOHRE website by using your "Company Code".
Establishment card number sample
The establishment card number is a unique identifier assigned by Immigration. It is often referred to as the establishment ID or immigration file number. A typical format looks like this:
700 / 12345 / 2026 / 1
- 700: The emirate/department code.
- 12345: Your unique company ID.
- 2026: Year of first issuance.
- 1: Sequence number.
💡 Note: Depending on the digital format, it may appear as a continuous string of digits (e.g., 7011990112345).
Establishment card fees in the UAE (2026)
💡 Also, keep in mind that fees may include 5% VAT.
How to renew establishment card in Dubai: Step-by-step
- Ensure license is valid: You cannot renew the card if your Trade License has expired.
- Access portal: Log in to the GDRFA Smart Services or visit an Amer Center.
- Select renewal: Choose "Renewal of Establishment Card."
- Verify info: Ensure no changes have been made to partners or the office address.
- Pay fees: Settle the renewal fee and any accrued fines.
Renewal in other Emirates and Free Zones
The ICP portal handles renewals for Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. The process is largely automated. Once you pay the fees and provide an updated trade license, the electronic card is updated in the system.
Free Zone users simply pay the invoice issued by their authority during the annual license renewal cycle.
Free Zone users simply pay the invoice issued by their authority during the annual license renewal cycle.
Establishment card renewal fees
In Dubai, the government renewal fee is typically AED 500 (plus service fees). In Free Zones, this fee is often bundled into the annual license renewal package, ranging from AED 1,000 to AED 1,800.
Penalties for late renewal
💡In Dubai, the penalty is AED 500 per month of delay.
The most significant "penalty" is that it will automatically block all visa services. This means that you will not be able to hire new staff or renew existing visas until your card is up-to-date. So, it's important to keep track of deadlines to avoid getting penalized. That's a lot easier when you have a team of pros who know exactly what has to be done and when.
How to amend, update, or replace an establishment card
If your company changes its name, legal structure, or authorized signatories, you must update your establishment card within 30 days.
- Process: Submit an "Amendment Request" via GDRFA/ICP.
- Documents: Updated Trade License and the legal document justifying the change (e.g., an Addendum to the MOA).
What happens if you lose your establishment card?
Most cards are now digital, so "losing" one usually just means logging back into the system to download a PDF version. However, if you need a replacement for a physical card or a formal "To Whom It May Concern" certificate:
- Apply for a Replacement сard via the portal.
- Pay a replacement fee (approx. AED 200-300).
- A police report is generally not required for digital versions, but may be requested for physical cards issued in previous years.
Need help? Just write to us, we're here for you.
Common mistakes businesses make
-
Mismatching names
Ensuring that the company name on the card matches the Trade License perfectly (down to the "LLC"). -
Forgetting the expiry
Many founders think the card expires when the visa expires, but that's not the case. It expires with the license. -
Ignoring signatory changes
If a manager leaves a company but still has their name on the establishment card, they can technically still sign off on visa applications.
Why businesses trust movingo for establishment card services
Paperwork in business can be time-consuming and challenging, as we all know. Even obtaining simple licenses, UAE visas and other documents can be a hassle. That's why our team is here to help you with all your paperwork needs. Beyond document processing, we specialize in seamless business setup in Dubai and provide professional bookkeeping services to ensure your financial compliance. More than 400 businesses have already trusted us with their documents and focused on growing their business.
Why don't we schedule a short introductory call so we can discuss how we can best serve you? Perhaps you would like us to assist with establishment card collection or some other task - we are here to help in any way we can.
Establishment card FAQ
The Establishment Card registers your company with the UAE immigration authorities. This card is a mast for sponsoring employee visas, applying for work permits, and accessing government smart portals for managing residency services.
The standard government fee for mainland companies is approximately AED 500–600 (plus services). Free Zone fees typically range from AED 1,500 to AED 2,500.
It is commonly referred to as the Company Immigration Card (CIC), the Computer Card, or the Establishment ID.
Processing usually takes 2 to 5 working days. There is also a fast-track option with 28 or 48-hour processing.
No, a trade license is issued by the economy department to let you do business. An establishment card is issued by Immigration (GDRFA/ICP) to let you hire staff and manage visas.
This is often referred to as the minimum cash requirement for tourists with tourist visas. It's about about AED 3,000 just to ensure they can support themselves during their stay in the UAE.
You can renew it online via the GDRFA portal for Dubai or the ICP Smart Services website for other emirates.
In Dubai, if you don't renew your visa on time, you could get fined AED 500 for each month it's late. Also, the immigration authorities will block all your staff from getting new visas or renewing their current ones until you update your card.
You can check the validity and status on the GDRFA Dubai website or app, or on the ICP portal.
It is a unique identifier (such as 700/12345/2026) that connects your company with the immigration system.
"Establishment ID" is another term for the establishment card number.
In mainland Dubai, the license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. In Abu Dhabi and certain Free Zones, however, it may be issued for two or three years to match the license cycle.
Business owners usually receive their digital card within two to three days of applying.
