Trade License Renewal: Arabic Documents DED Needs

The trade license expires in two weeks. The PRO says renewal is straightforward — pay the fee, submit the documents, collect the new license. Then DED sends back a request for additional documents. Three items need Arabic translation. The renewal window is closing.

DED trade license renewal in Dubai is a document-driven process. The Department of Economy and Tourism processes everything in Arabic. Documents that originate from DED are already in Arabic. Documents from external sources — foreign passports, English contracts, free zone NOCs — need MOJ-certified Arabic translation before DED will process them.

The confusion is which documents are already in the system and which ones you need to translate fresh.

Documents DED Already Has

When you first registered your trade license, DED collected and stored:

• The trade license application (Arabic)
• The memorandum of association if notarised through Dubai Notary (Arabic)
• The initial establishment card
• The partner/shareholder details from the original application

These documents are in DED’s system from the initial registration. For a standard annual renewal with no changes to ownership, activities, or premises, DED pulls these from their records. No translation needed.

The renewal itself is processed through the DED portal or through a Tasheel service centre. The system generates the renewed license in Arabic automatically.

Documents That Need Translation

Translation becomes necessary when something has changed since the last renewal, or when DED requires supporting evidence that was not part of the original application.

New or Changed Shareholders

If a foreign shareholder has been added or replaced, their passport and any corporate resolution authorising the change must be submitted in Arabic. The power of attorney appointing a new shareholder representative also needs Arabic translation if it was executed abroad.

A corporate resolution from a parent company in London, Singapore, or New York arrives in English. DED needs the Arabic version with the MOJ stamp before they process the shareholder change alongside the renewal.

English Lease Contracts

The office lease must be registered on Ejari. If the tenancy contract was drafted in English — common in DIFC, DMCC, and international business centres — DED may accept the Ejari printout for renewal purposes. But if the lease terms are being questioned, if there is a trade name mismatch between the license and the Ejari registration, or if the premises address has changed, DED will ask for the Arabic translation of the full contract.

Landlords in international towers often provide only English contracts. Translate the contract once and keep the certified copy for future renewals. The cost of translating a standard tenancy contract is a fraction of the delay cost if DED holds up your renewal.

Free Zone to Mainland Conversion

If you are converting a free zone license to a mainland DED license, the free zone documentation package — the original license, the MOA, the share certificates, the NOC — arrives in English. The free zone Arabic translation requirements apply in full. Every document in the package needs MOJ-certified Arabic translation.

This is the most document-intensive scenario. A typical free zone conversion package runs eight to twelve pages. Plan the translation before starting the conversion process, not after DED requests it.

Court Orders or Notarised Foreign Documents

If a shareholder died and the heirs are taking over the license, the probate documents or inheritance decree must be in Arabic. If a partner was removed through a court order in another country, that order needs certified translation. Any notarised document from a foreign jurisdiction needs both attestation and Arabic translation.

The MOA Question

The memorandum of association is the document most people ask about. The answer depends on how the MOA was created:

Arabic MOA (notarised at Dubai Notary Public): Already in the system. No translation needed for renewal. DED pulls it from their records.

English MOA (from a free zone or foreign jurisdiction): Needs MOJ-certified Arabic translation. This applies when converting from a free zone, when a foreign parent company’s corporate documents reference the MOA, or when DED specifically requests it during an activity amendment.

Bilingual MOA: Some notaries produce both Arabic and English versions. DED uses the Arabic version. No additional translation needed.

If you are unsure whether your MOA is on file in Arabic, request a copy from DED through the portal. The trade name, activities, and partner details will appear in Arabic. If any section is missing or shows blanks where partner information should be, DED may need supporting documents translated.

Timing and the Renewal Window

DED allows renewal 30 days before and 30 days after the license expiry date. Late renewal incurs fines. The translation step adds time if you discover the requirement late.

The practical timeline:

1. 30 days before expiry: Check which documents DED has on file. Log into the DED portal and review the renewal requirements screen
2. 21 days before expiry: Identify any documents that need translation. Send them to the translator
3. 14 days before expiry: Submit the renewal with all translated documents
4. Expiry date: License renewed, new license issued

The translation step — same-day for standard documents — fits easily into this timeline if you plan ahead. The problem is discovering the requirement two days before expiry with a public holiday in between.

Activity Amendment During Renewal

Many businesses add or remove activities during the annual renewal. DED activity amendments may require:

• A revised MOA reflecting the new activities (Arabic or translated into Arabic)
• Partner consent letters (Arabic)
• NOC from regulatory authorities for restricted activities (DHA for medical, KHDA for education, SCA for securities)

The NOCs from regulatory authorities are typically issued in Arabic. Partner consent letters from foreign partners arrive in English and need translation. If the MOA needs revision, the notary will produce the updated version in Arabic directly.

What About the Establishment Card?

The establishment card (بطاقة المنشأة) is issued in Arabic by DED. It does not need translation for renewal purposes. If you need the establishment card translated into English — for a foreign bank, an international contract, or a visa application in another country — that is an Arabic-to-English translation, the reverse of what DED typically needs.

Contact Channels

For MOJ-certified Arabic translation of trade license renewal documents:

• WhatsApp: +971 50 862 0217
• iMessage: +971 50 862 0217
• Email: info@onlinetranslation.ae
• Phone: +971 50 862 0217
• Walk-in: Palm Jumeirah Mall, Dubai

Send the documents that need translation. We confirm which ones DED actually requires in Arabic, translate the same day, and deliver both digital and stamped copies for your PRO.