UAE Unified Licence (DUL) Guide
What is UAE Unified Licence (DUL)?
The UAE Unified Licence (DUL) is a single unique ID number given to all businesses in UAE, covering both mainland and free zone companies. It comes with a QR code for instant verification of business details like status, address, and activities.
Launched under Law No. 6 of 2023 by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), it replaces multiple licences with one trusted digital identity to speed up processes.
Who Qualifies for the Unified Licence UAE?
All licensed businesses in UAE qualify for the Unified Licence (DUL), with no special exclusions under Law No. 6 of 2023.
- Mainland Businesses: Mainland companies under DET/DED. It includes shops in city areas, which automatically receive DUL upon trade licence issuance.
- Free Zone Businesses: Free zone entities in DMCC, JAFZA, or others qualify equally, with their authority pushing data into the unified system.
- Freelancers: Freelancers who hold a DUL QR permit for client verification qualify. Banks and utilities mandate it, making compliance universal.
Key Benefits Of Unified Business Licence UAE
- One trusted data source: The DUL creates a single, clean record for each business. Banks, suppliers, and government offices can securely view instead of asking you for repeated documents.
- Faster deals and approvals: With a unique DUL ID and QR code, banks and partners verify your company in seconds.
- Lower administrative costs: Businesses avoid charges related to duplicate renewal of licenses.
- Ease of scaling: The DUL makes opening new branches and transit between free zones and the mainland seamless.
90% Reduction in Time to Open a Bank Account
Time is reduced by 90%: With the UAE Unified License, banks can open a business account for a company in 5 days compared to 65 days. Banks do not have to do any paperwork, as all the business information can be seen through a simple QR code.
- Saves Money for Small Shops: Small businesses save AED 15,000 a year.
- Grows UAE Economy: DUL helps UAE’s plan to double its money by 2033.
How to Get UAE Unified Licence: Step-by-Step Process
The DUL comes free when you start your Unified Business Licence UAE. No extra work needed. Follow these easy steps to get it fast.
Step 1: Pick Your Spot
Choose the mainland or a free zone like DMCC. Both spots give you one DUL number right away.
Step 2: Pick Company Type
Decide if you work alone or make an LLC. Freelancers pick a special permit.
Step 3: Book Your Name
Go to the DET website or the free zone page. Type your company name.
Step 4: Get First Okay and NOC Letter
Send papers to the DED office or the free zone.
Step 5: Get All Papers Ready
Copy passports, write MOA/AOA rules, show Ejari rent paper.
Step 6: Send and Pay Money
Put it all online. Pay fees. Wait 3 to 7 days.
Step 7: Get Visas and Bank
Ask for owner visas with the new DUL. Take QR to the bank.
UAE Unified Licence Cost
DUL issues free with trade licence from DET/free zones—no extra charge.
One-Time Setup Breakdown
- Trade licence issuance: AED 10,000–15,000 mainland; AED 5,500–15,000 free zone.
- Trade name reservation: AED 620–2,000.
- Initial approval/NOC: AED 120–300.
- Legal docs (MOA/AOA notarization): AED 500–2,000.
- Ejari/tenancy registration: 2.5% of annual rent.
- Investor/employee visas: AED 3,500–6,000 per person.
Compliance & Renewal Rules
The Unified Licence UAE renews automatically with your trade licence—no separate process or fees.
Renewal Process
- Renew trade licence 30 days before expiry via the Invest in UAE portal or the DET app using UAE Pass.
- Submit a current licence copy, a valid Ejari/lease, passports, and a BR/1 form if needed.
- Pay fees online; get updated DUL QR instantly in PDF.
Our experts from PRO Services in UAE will help you with the licensing process. They are licensed business setup consultants with over 12+ years of experience in UAE.