The documents required for company registration in Dubai are, for an individual owner, a passport copy, a photo, UAE visa and Emirates ID (or an entry stamp), trade name options and the activity list. Corporate shareholders and foreign branches add company documents that must be attested at the UAE embassy abroad and translated into Arabic. Wordcraft prepares that checklist and handles the attestation, translation and notary steps with the setup.
Documents by Shareholder Type
| Document | Individual, UAE resident | Individual, non-resident | Corporate shareholder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport copy (six months' validity or more) | Yes | Yes | For the authorized signatory and the ultimate beneficial owners |
| UAE residence visa and Emirates ID | Yes | No; visit visa or entry stamp instead | For a signatory who lives in the UAE |
| No-objection letter from the current UAE employer | If the authority or free zone asks for it | No | No |
| Proof of residential address | Requested by many free zones | Requested by many free zones | Registered office address of the company |
| Certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, good standing | No | No | Yes, attested and translated into Arabic |
| Board resolution and power of attorney | No | No | Yes, attested and translated into Arabic |
| Attested degree or professional certificate | For regulated activities | For regulated activities | For the appointed manager, if regulated |
Do Foreign Company Documents Need Attestation?
Yes. A corporate document issued abroad is authenticated in its home country (notary or registry, then the foreign ministry) and then attested by the UAE embassy or consulate there, which now completes the UAE MOFA attestation digitally in the same step. It is then translated into Arabic by an MOJ-certified legal translator. Dubai authorities do not accept an apostille on its own, because the UAE is not an Apostille Convention member.
Individual Owners: The Short List
- Passport copy of each shareholder and the manager
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copies for residents, or the visit visa page for non-residents
- A photo on a white background
- Proposed trade names and the activities to be licensed
- Proof of address, if the free zone asks
- Attested degrees or professional certificates for regulated activities such as engineering, health or training
For a mainland LLC, the shareholders also sign a Memorandum of Association (MOA). The trade name reservation and initial approval come first, then the lease and Ejari.
Corporate Shareholders: Proving the Company Exists and Approves the Investment
- Certificate of incorporation or commercial registration
- MOA and Articles of Association
- A board resolution approving the UAE company, the shareholding and the appointed manager or representative
- A power of attorney for the person signing on the company's behalf
- A certificate of good standing or incumbency, with the register of shareholders and directors
- Passport copies of the authorized signatory and the ultimate beneficial owners
Every one of these goes through the attestation route above if it was issued outside the UAE. Our commercial document attestation team handles the embassy stage, and the MOA translation desk prepares the Arabic versions.
Branch of a Foreign Company
A branch is an extension of the parent, so the parent's papers carry the application: incorporation certificate, MOA/AOA, a board resolution opening the Dubai branch and naming the manager, a POA to that manager, a good standing certificate, financial statements if requested, the manager's passport and, where the authority requires one, a local service agent agreement. The full process, with a document-by-document attestation table, is on branch of a foreign company in the UAE.
Which Documents Need Notarization, Attestation or Translation
| Step | Which documents | How it is done |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation | Corporate documents, resolutions, POAs and certificates issued abroad | Home-country authentication, then the UAE embassy in that country (MOFA included digitally in most cases) |
| Legal translation | Attested foreign documents not in Arabic; MOA and resolutions for mainland files | Translation into Arabic by an MOJ-certified legal translator |
| Notarization in the UAE | Mainland MOA and amendments, local POAs, local service agent agreements | Signed before a notary public in the UAE, with the appointment arranged by us |
| UAE MOFA attestation | UAE-issued documents going abroad, or foreign documents whose route still needs it | Digital MOFA attestation |
Why Registration Files Get Sent Back
- The Arabic translation does not match the attested original word for word.
- The board resolution names a different manager or share split from the application.
- A passport was renewed and the old number is still on the resolution or POA.
- The good standing certificate is older than the authority accepts.
We check each of these before submission. More detail: embassy attestation, legal translation in Dubai and notary public in Dubai. Official lists are published by the Department of Economy and Tourism and, for its free zones, the Dubai Development Authority. Ready to start? See business setup in Dubai or trade license in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to register a company in Dubai as an individual?
Usually a passport copy, a photo, UAE visa and Emirates ID (or an entry stamp), proposed trade names and activities and, for a mainland LLC, a signed MOA and a registered lease. Some free zones also ask for proof of address or a business plan.
Do foreign company documents need attestation in the UAE?
Yes. They are authenticated in the home country and attested by the UAE embassy there, which now includes the UAE MOFA attestation digitally in most cases. They are then translated into Arabic if the authority requires it.
Does the MOA need to be in Arabic?
Mainland MOAs are in Arabic or bilingual and are signed before a notary public. Free zones usually accept English constitutional documents.
Can I register a company in Dubai from abroad?
Much of it, yes, using a power of attorney or the free zone's online system. Visa steps need you in the UAE.
Do I need a no-objection letter from my employer?
Only if the authority or free zone asks for one, which depends on your visa type and job. We tell you before you request it.
Is an apostille accepted for Dubai company registration?
No. The UAE is not a member of the Apostille Convention, so documents still need attestation by the UAE embassy in the issuing country.
How long does document attestation take for company registration?
It depends on the country that issued the documents. We confirm the route and a realistic timeline in your quote.
Which documents need translation into Arabic?
Attested foreign company documents, the mainland MOA and any resolution or POA filed with a Dubai authority, if it is not already in Arabic.
Last updated: September 2026
