Department of Economic Development commercial, professional, and industrial licenses. Standard format with Arabic/English, often requiring certified English translation for banking. DED licenses use specific activity codes that map to standardized Arabic terminology. We ensure translations match the official DED activity register to prevent bank queries about activity scope.
Trade License Translation in Dubai
Corporate Documents
Your trade license is your company's official identity for UAE banks, MOHRE visa processing, DED renewals, and government contract registration—accurate translation ensures acceptance without delays or rework.
| Requirement | Standard Provider | OnlineTranslation.ae |
|---|---|---|
| Business activities | Literal translation | DED-standardized Arabic terminology |
| Bank acceptance | May request revisions | Verified format for UAE banks |
| Free zone formats | Generic approach | DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC-specific handling |
| Turnaround | 2-3 days typical | 4-6 hours standard |
Why License Translation Rejections Happen
Banks reject license translations when business activities use non-standard Arabic terminology. Your licensed activities determine what your company can legally do, what banking facilities you qualify for, and what contracts you can execute. Creative translations that don't match DED-recognized activity descriptions cause banks to question whether the translation accurately reflects your authorized operations. MOHRE visa applications fail when license details don't match other corporate documents. Government procurement portals reject vendor registrations with inconsistent company name renderings across documents. Article 9 of the Commercial Companies Law requires that company activities align with licensed scope—translation ambiguity creates compliance risk that banks and authorities avoid by requesting rework.
Bank-Ready Format Directly accepted by UAE banks for corporate account opening and facility applications
MOJ License #701 MOJ-certified legal stamp by خالد محمد عبدالوهاب العدل — verified at 800 333333
Same-Day Available Rush service for urgent bank meetings and visa appointments
License Types and Authority Requirements
DED mainland licenses (commercial, professional, industrial) are typically bilingual Arabic-English, but banks often require certified English translation for international partners and correspondent banking relationships. DMCC, JAFZA, and other free zone licenses are English-only, requiring Arabic translation for mainland bank accounts and government submissions. DIFC licenses use specialized financial services terminology with distinct regulatory meaning. Professional licenses for consultants and freelancers require activity descriptions that align with MOHRE visa categories. Foreign company registrations (UK Companies House, US state filings) require Arabic translation when establishing UAE branches or representative offices. Preserving the attestation chain means ensuring your license translation maintains consistency with MOA and other corporate documents.
License Translation Checklist
- Company trade name (Arabic and English consistent)
- License number and issuing authority
- All business activities with standardized terminology
- Shareholder/partner details and ownership percentages
- Manager/authorized signatory names
- Validity dates and renewal status
- Registered address and any branch locations
Document Handling and Consistency
Trade licenses reference your complete corporate identity—company name, shareholders, activities, and authorization scope. Banks cross-reference license translations against MOA translations, board resolutions, and other corporate documents. Inconsistencies trigger additional verification requests that delay account opening. We maintain corporate document databases to ensure your license translation uses identical company name rendering and terminology as previous translations. For new clients, we confirm preferred transliterations before finalizing documents. Confidential business information—shareholder structures, activity scope, capital details—passes through encrypted channels with restricted access. Only assigned translators handle your documents. We delete files upon request after delivery, maintaining the discretion your business documentation requires.
4-6 Hours Standard
All Zones DED, DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC
100% Bank Acceptance
All License Types DED, free zone, professional
Bank Ready Accepted by all UAE banks
4-6 Hours Standard license turnaround
Activity Match Business activities precisely translated
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License Translation Process
1
License Review
We identify license type, issuing authority, and business activities listed. Activity translation is critical for accurate representation.
2
Detail Translation
Company name, license number, activities, validity dates, and shareholder information translated with banking precision.
3
Activity Verification
Business activities cross-referenced with standard Arabic terminology used by DED and banks.
4
Certified Delivery
MOJ-stamped translation ready for bank account opening, visa processing, or contract purposes.
License Types We Translate
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre free zone licenses. English-language format requiring Arabic translation for mainland bank accounts and government submissions. DMCC uses commodity trading terminology and activity classifications specific to the free zone. We translate member certificates, license certificates, and activity schedules with the specialized vocabulary DMCC companies require for mainland operations.
Dubai International Financial Centre commercial licenses. Specialized financial services activities with specific regulatory terminology. DIFC licenses reference DFSA-regulated activities that have precise Arabic equivalents used by UAE Central Bank and other financial regulators. We handle all DIFC license categories including Category 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4 with appropriate regulatory language.
Jebel Ali Free Zone licenses for trading, industrial, and service companies. JAFZA formats differ from other free zones with specific activity classifications. We translate JAFZA license certificates, lease agreements when required, and activity addendums. Arabic translations are needed for mainland banking and government interactions outside the free zone.
ADGM, Masdar City, twofour54, and Khalifa Industrial Zone licenses. Each Abu Dhabi free zone has distinct formatting and activity classifications. ADGM uses common law terminology requiring careful Arabic rendering. We handle the specific requirements of each zone for Dubai bank account opening and UAE-wide government submissions.
Individual professional licenses for consultants, freelancers, and service providers. Activity descriptions tailored to professional services. Professional license translations must align with MOHRE occupation classifications for visa sponsorship purposes. We ensure your professional activities translate to recognized Arabic descriptions that match labor ministry records.
Common Uses
All UAE banks require trade license translation for corporate account opening. We format translations to meet banking documentation requirements. Banks cross-reference license activities with requested banking facilities—trading companies need different services than service providers. Accurate activity translation determines what banking products you qualify for.
Employee visa applications require trade license to establish the sponsoring company. MOHRE and GDRFA need certified translation. The license proves your company is authorized to sponsor employees in specific job categories. Activity mismatches between license and visa application cause rejections that delay employee onboarding.
Government and corporate contracts often require license translation to verify company authority and permitted activities. Procurement departments check that your licensed scope covers the contract requirements. We ensure activity translations clearly demonstrate your authorization for the work you are bidding on.
Large companies and government entities require license translation as part of vendor onboarding documentation. Vendor registration systems often require PDF uploads of translated licenses. We provide both printed and digital formats suitable for online portal submissions.
Various regulatory bodies require license translation for compliance verification and activity authorization. Industry-specific regulators like DHA, DCAA, or RERA need translated licenses showing relevant activities. We understand which activities regulatory bodies look for and ensure translations use accepted terminology.
Property purchases, leasing, and development require license translation for Dubai Land Department and developer handovers. Real estate activities must be clearly translated for DLD registration. We handle license translations for property investors, developers, and real estate companies with appropriate property-related terminology.
Authority-Specific Requirements
Financial services companies need license translations for Central Bank licensing and compliance. We use CBUAE-recognized terminology for banking, exchange house, and financial services activities. Translations must clearly identify licensed financial activities to satisfy regulatory review.
Ministry of Human Resources requires translated licenses for work permit quotas and employee visa processing. License activities must match MOHRE occupation codes. We ensure your translated activities support the job titles you need to hire, preventing quota restriction issues.
Municipality approvals for certain business activities require translated licenses. Food trading, healthcare, and specific service activities need Municipality clearance. We translate licenses with terminology that Municipality inspectors recognize and accept.
General Directorate of Residency requires translated licenses for investor visas, partner visas, and visa renewals. License translations must show valid activities and shareholding information where relevant. We format translations for GDRFA portal uploads and in-person submissions.
Trade License Translation for Business Operations
The trade license is referenced constantly in UAE business—every bank account opening, every visa application, every major contract. The Arabic (or English) translation becomes part of your company's permanent documentation with these institutions.
Business activity translation requires particular attention. Activities determine what your company can legally do, what banking facilities you can access, and what contracts you can sign. We use standardized activity terminology that banks and regulators recognize, avoiding creative translations that might cause confusion.
We maintain consistency across your corporate document set. If you've previously translated your MOA or other documents with us, we ensure your trade license translation uses the same company name rendering and terminology.
Processing Timelines by License Type
Standard DED mainland licenses with fewer than 10 activities are completed within 4-6 hours. Free zone licenses from DMCC, JAFZA, or DIFC typically take 4-6 hours as well, depending on activity count. Licenses with extensive activity lists (15 or more activities) require 6-8 hours for thorough terminology verification. Rush service is available for urgent bank meetings—we can expedite most licenses to 2-3 hours with advance notice.
For bank account opening appointments, we recommend submitting documents at least 48 hours before your scheduled meeting. This allows time for translation, any revisions if needed, and physical printing of certified copies. Digital delivery is immediate upon completion; physical copies with MOJ stamps can be couriered within Dubai the same day.
Common Rejection Reasons and Prevention
Banks and government entities reject license translations for preventable reasons. Non-standard activity terminology is the most common issue—when translations use creative Arabic phrasing instead of DED-recognized activity descriptions, banks question whether the translation accurately reflects licensed scope. We maintain databases of standardized activity translations that match official DED, DMCC, and other authority terminology.
Company name inconsistencies cause delays across multiple documents. If your MOA translation renders your company name differently than your license translation, banks request clarification. We cross-reference existing translations to ensure naming consistency. Shareholder name transliteration follows the same principle—consistent rendering across all corporate documents prevents verification delays.
Missing information also triggers rejections. Some older licenses or certain free zone formats omit details that banks require. We identify these gaps during review and advise whether additional documentation is needed before proceeding with translation.
Free Zone vs Mainland License Considerations
Free zone licenses require Arabic translation for any interaction with mainland entities—UAE banks with mainland presence, government ministries, courts, and mainland corporate partners. The reverse applies to DED mainland licenses: international banks, foreign partners, and entities outside the UAE often require certified English translations.
DIFC presents a unique case. As a common law jurisdiction, DIFC licenses use English legal terminology that requires careful Arabic rendering. Financial services activities have specific regulatory meanings that must translate accurately for UAE Central Bank and other financial regulators. We handle DIFC translations with understanding of both the regulatory context and the Arabic equivalents these authorities accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is trade license translation so commonly needed?
Trade licenses are required for nearly every business interaction in the UAE—bank account opening, visa processing, contract signing, vendor registration, and government submissions. If the original is in Arabic, English translation may be needed. If from a free zone in English, Arabic translation is needed for mainland interactions.
What license types do you translate?
We translate all UAE license types: DED mainland licenses, DMCC licenses, JAFZA licenses, DIFC licenses, professional licenses, industrial licenses, and licenses from all other free zones. We also translate foreign company registration certificates for UAE use.
How important is business activity translation?
Critical. Banks and government entities use business activities to determine what your company can do. Mistranslated activities could limit your banking facilities or cause compliance issues. We use standardized activity descriptions that banks and regulators recognize.
How fast can you translate a trade license?
Standard trade licenses are completed within 4-6 hours. Simple single-page licenses can often be done faster. Licenses with extensive activity lists or multiple pages may take longer. Rush service available for urgent bank meetings.
Do you translate license amendments?
Yes. License amendments showing activity additions, shareholder changes, or manager updates need translation to update your records with banks and government entities. We ensure consistency with your original license translation.
What about foreign company registrations?
We translate foreign company registration certificates (UK Companies House, US state registrations, etc.) into Arabic for UAE use. These are often needed for branch registration, representative office setup, or contract signing.
What causes banks to reject trade license translations?
Banks reject translations for three main reasons: non-standard activity terminology that differs from DED-recognized descriptions, company name inconsistencies with other corporate documents like MOA translations, and missing details such as shareholder percentages or validity dates. We prevent these issues by using DED-standardized terminology and cross-referencing your complete corporate document set.
Do I need both Arabic and English translations?
It depends on your use case. Free zone licenses in English need Arabic translation for mainland bank accounts and government submissions. DED mainland licenses that are bilingual may need certified English versions for international banking relationships or foreign partner agreements. We advise based on your specific requirement to avoid unnecessary translation costs.
How do you handle licenses with many business activities?
Licenses with extensive activity lists (15+ activities) require careful attention to ensure each activity uses the correct standardized terminology. These take longer than simple licenses—typically 6-8 hours instead of 4-6. We quote based on complexity after reviewing your license. Each activity is individually verified against DED terminology databases.
What is the difference between commercial and professional licenses?
Commercial licenses allow trading, retail, and general commercial activities. Professional licenses are for service-based businesses like consultants, engineers, and healthcare practitioners. The translation approach differs—professional license activities must align with MOHRE visa categories for employee sponsorship, while commercial licenses focus on trading permissions that banks evaluate for facility approvals.
Can you translate an expired trade license?
Yes, though the translation will reflect the expired status. Banks and government entities typically require current licenses, so we recommend renewing before translation unless you specifically need the expired version for historical records or legal proceedings. We note validity dates clearly so recipients understand the license status.
What additional documents should accompany license translation?
For bank account opening, you typically need license translation alongside MOA translation, passport copies, and sometimes board resolutions. For visa processing, the license translation accompanies employment contract and employee documents. We can advise on the complete document package for your specific purpose and translate everything together for consistency.
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