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Co-Founder & CEO movingo
Editor
Author
Iakov Kukushkin
Copywriter, Journalist
Mar 12, 2026
The UAE remains one of the top locations for starting a business, thanks to the straightforward process. Although the process became more complicated in 2026, it is still quite simple; you just need to prepare your documents carefully.
In this article, we have compiled a list of all the documents you will need before and after registering your business. We will highlight important details to know when obtaining them and provide a checklist to help you assess your company's readiness.
In this article, we have compiled a list of all the documents you will need before and after registering your business. We will highlight important details to know when obtaining them and provide a checklist to help you assess your company's readiness.
- The core corporate documents list
- Operational and immigration documents
- Post-setup compliance records
- Corporate documents health check: how to verify your documents are in order
- Documents required to open a UAE corporate bank account
- Mainland vs. Free Zone: legal documents differences
- Complete accounting and bookkeeping services for businesses in Dubai from movingo
- Company documents list FAQ
The core corporate documents list
In order to start a business operations in the UAE, you must have a "Golden folder" containing these five documents, either digital or physical. Without all five, your company won't be legally recognized as fully formed. Without these documents, you will not be able to work, open corporate bank account, or apply for visas, etc.
For a lot of these documents, we have detailed guides on our blog. So, check out the links and read up on them to get prepared.😉
For a lot of these documents, we have detailed guides on our blog. So, check out the links and read up on them to get prepared.😉
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Trade license
This document is of the utmost importance, as it contains vital information regarding your legal activities and expiration date. -
Certificate of Incorporation
Provide proof that the entity is registered with the relevant authority, either the Dubai Economic Department (DED) or a Free Zone authority. -
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)
The constituent documents specify the ownership structure, share distribution, shareholder rights, and company management rules. These documents must be notarized and translated into Arabic. -
Share certificates
Documentation of ownership for each shareholder. -
Trade name reservation certificate
Confirms that the company name is unique and officially registered to you. -
Additional permits
If your business operates in a specific field, such as education or finance, you might need a special permit to operate legally (for example, KHDA approval or Central Bank approval).
Let's check your essential documents to make sure that you are working legally and avoid any potential penalties.
Operational and immigration documents
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Establishment card (Immigration card)
This card proves that your company is legally registered and has the authority to interact with immigration officials. For example, it allows the company to recruit abroad and sponsor visas. -
Register of partners or shareholders
An internal record that must be kept updated and ready for inspection and audits. -
Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) registration
Mainland companies need to issue labor contracts. -
Ejari or lease agreement
Mainland firms (Ejari) and Free Zone companies (lease agreement) must have an address for their representative office in the UAE. -
E-signature card (for Mainland companies) or UAE Pass
Almost all government interactions will require UAE Pass integration for authorized digital signatories by 2026 and an e-signature card if your company is registered on Mainland.
Post-setup compliance records
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Corporate Tax Registration (TRN)
All entities must register for Corporate Tax via the EmaraTax portal within 3 months of incorporation, even if they expect to be eligible for the 0% tax rate. -
Certified accounting software
Starting in July 2026, all B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2G (Business-to-Government) invoices must be issued through new e-invoicing systems. -
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration
All companies are required to identify and register individuals who hold 25% or more of the shares or voting rights, or who control the company. -
AML policy
If your business falls under the category of "Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions" (real estate, gold, law, etc.), you must have a documented anti-money laundering (AML) framework.
In fact, there is a vast number of documents that may be required after registration. These can include visas for new employees, employment contracts, business licenses, and more. Collecting all of these on your own can be a difficult task that requires time and effort. You can avoid this hassle by delegating the task to professionals who are familiar with local regulations and can prepare all the necessary documents accurately and in time. This will save your employees up to three hours of work time every day.
Corporate documents health check: how to verify your documents are in order
To make an initial check of business readiness and avoid getting bogged down in paperwork, we have created a prototype algorithm with four questions.
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Licenses and permits
Does my business have the necessary licenses and permits to operate in the UAE, including trade and other specific licenses? -
Registrations
Is my business registered for Corporate Tax and VAT? Have I obtained any specific registrations for my type of business, such as those from the land or tourism departments? -
Internal documents
Are there any mandatory internal documents? For example, are there any Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)? -
Lease agreement
Does my business have a registered address in the UAE, and do I have any documentation to prove it? (Ejari)
Documents required to open a UAE corporate bank account
To run a business, you will need a specialized bank account. A personal account may be suitable if you are a freelancer and have few clients, but even for a small business, this is not sufficient.
We have outlined all the steps for opening a UAE account in two articles. One article describes the general principles, and the other focuses on opening an Emirates NBD bank account. It is the largest bank in the UAE and a popular choice for businesses. Now, we will briefly review the key points.
We have outlined all the steps for opening a UAE account in two articles. One article describes the general principles, and the other focuses on opening an Emirates NBD bank account. It is the largest bank in the UAE and a popular choice for businesses. Now, we will briefly review the key points.
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Company documents
License, MOA, and share certificates. -
ID documents
Passports, visas, and Emirates IDs for all shareholders and signatories. -
Proof of address
Provide a utility bill or Ejari in the company's name. -
Business profile
A detailed CV of the shareholders and a six-month projected cash flow. -
Source of wealth
Six months of personal or corporate bank statements from the shareholders' previous ventures or home country.
Mainland vs. Free Zone: legal documents differences
Complete accounting and bookkeeping services for businesses in Dubai from movingo
In addition to document preparation, accounting is necessary for successful and legal activity in the UAE. This legal requirement applies to both businesses and freelancers. We provide outsourced accounting services that allow you to save on hiring your own specialists. We offer personalized packages for businesses of any size, so you only pay for what you need.
Also, we can help with a bunch of business matters. Why don't you talk to us about it and find a way that works for you?
Also, we can help with a bunch of business matters. Why don't you talk to us about it and find a way that works for you?
Need a hand running your business in the UAE? movingo'll take care of it:
Company documents list FAQ
You should receive a trade license, a certificate of incorporation, a memorandum of association, share certificates, and a register of members/directors. You will also receive an Establishment Card for immigration purposes and a signed lease agreement or Ejari.
You can use National Economic Register (NER), the Ministry of Economy’s Unified Commercial Registration System, or specific portals such as the Dubai DET website or a free zone's member portal.
Check out the Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) website or the "Dubai Trade" portal. Go to the "License Search" section and enter your license number. You'll see your current status, list of activities, and expiration date updated in real time.
We expect to provide the trade license, MOA, passport or Emirates ID, aroof of Address (utility bill or Ejari), and six months of bank statements (either personal or from another business). Many banks also request a business plan and a declaration of the source of wealth.
By law, you must keep the following records: a physical or digital UBO register, a register of shareholders, a register of directors, and all VAT/accounting records.
According to the UAE Corporate Tax Law and VAT regulations, all financial and corporate records must be retained for at least 7 years. This requirement extends to 15 years for real estate companies.
The Certificate of Incorporation is your company's "birth certificate", proving its legal existence as a corporate entity. The trade license is your "permission to operate", specifying the exact activities that you are allowed to carry out.
