Once your business is officially licensed in the UAE, the next important step is getting your establishment card. This card, also known as a company card or immigration card, is what officially connects your business with the UAE immigration department.
This card is essential for businesses that plan to hire employees, sponsor staff visas, or carry out any immigration-related activities. Without it, companies cannot apply for or renew visas, making it a crucial step after obtaining a trade license. In simple terms, the establishment card in the UAE acts as your company’s ID in the country’s immigration system - confirming your business is registered and authorised to operate legally within the country.
What is an Establishment Card?
An establishment card, also known as a company card or immigration card, is an important document every UAE business needs after obtaining its trade license. It serves as your company’s official record with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the government body that oversees immigration and residency matters in the UAE.
Who Issues the Establishment Card?
The GDRFA is responsible for issuing establishment cards for mainland companies, while free zone authorities handle the process for businesses registered within their respective zones. This card confirms that your company is recognised by the UAE’s immigration system and is authorised to sponsor employees, business partners, and dependents under its name.
Details Included in the Establishment Card
An establishment card contains all the essential details that link your business to the immigration system, including:
- Company name
- Trade license number
- Unique Establishment ID number
- Date of issue and expiry
- Authorised signatory information
These details help immigration authorities verify your company’s identity whenever you carry out visa or residency-related activities.
What is the Importance of the Establishment Card in the UAE?
The establishment card plays a crucial role in the smooth functioning of any business in the UAE. It’s a key document that allows your company to operate legally and manage all immigration-related activities with ease.
1. Essential for Visa Applications
The establishment card is required every time your company applies for a new visa - whether it’s for business owners, employees, or dependents. It acts as proof that your company is registered with the UAE immigration system and has the right to sponsor individuals under its name.
2. Needed for Employee Hiring and Sponsorship
If you plan to hire foreign staff, your establishment card is a must. It authorises your company to sponsor employment visas and ensures that your employees are legally registered under your business. This step helps maintain transparency and compliance with UAE labour laws.
3. Required for Immigration Transactions
From visa renewals and cancellations to other immigration-related processes, the establishment card is used at every step. It serves as your company’s official identification for dealings with the GDRFA or free zone immigration departments.
4. Ensures Legal Compliance
Holding a valid establishment card helps your company stay compliant with UAE regulations. It confirms that your business is properly registered and recognised by immigration authorities. Not maintaining or renewing it on time can lead to fines or delays in processing important business activities.
5. Required for E-Channel Registration
For mainland companies, an establishment card is mandatory for e-channel registration, a digital system used by UAE immigration to process visa applications online. It simplifies submissions and reduces processing time for all immigration-related requests.
6. Simplifies Administrative Processes
Having an establishment card allows your company to access online immigration portals and government systems easily. This makes administrative work faster, saving you time on paperwork and approvals.
Documents Required to Apply for an Establishment Card
To apply for an establishment card in the UAE, you’ll need to prepare and submit a few important documents. Below is a list of the key documents typically required:
- Copy of valid Trade License
- Passport copy of the company owner or partners
- Emirates ID of the owner or authorised signatory
- Copy of the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate (for mainland businesses) or lease agreement (for free zone companies)
- Company stamp
- Copy of Immigration E-Channel registration (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photo of the owner or authorised signatory
- Payment receipt or proof of government fee submission
How to Apply for an Establishment Card in the UAE
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a new Establishment Card:
Step 1: Ensure You Have a Valid Trade License
Before you begin, make sure your trade license is active and all company details are up to date. The establishment card can only be issued to businesses with a valid license.
Step 2: Register with the GDRFA or Free Zone Authority
For mainland companies, you’ll need to register with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in your respective emirate. If your business is located in a free zone, the application will go through that free zone’s immigration department or authority.
Step 3: Gather and Submit the Required Documents
Prepare all the necessary documents - including your trade license, MOA, Emirates ID, tenancy contract, and e-channel registration (if applicable). Submit them through the GDRFA portal, the free zone’s online system, or via an authorised PRO service provider like Shuraa India.
Step 4: Pay the Applicable Fees
Pay the government fees for the establishment card. The cost may vary depending on your business type and the emirate you are registered in.
Step 5: Wait for Approval and Card Issuance
Once your application is reviewed and approved, your UAE establishment card will be issued. In most cases, it is delivered digitally within a few working days and can be downloaded or accessed online through the respective authority’s portal.
Step 6: Keep the Card Safe and Up to Date
Your establishment card is valid for one year (in most cases). Make sure to renew it before it expires to avoid penalties or suspension of visa services.
Establishment Card in the UAE Fees
The standard fee for issuing a new Establishment Card in the UAE is between AED 100 to AED 200. This fee is applicable whether you're applying through the GDRFA in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) in other emirates.
In addition to the issuance fee, there are several mandatory charges:
- Value Added Tax (VAT): A 5% VAT is applied to the issuance fee, amounting to AED 10.
- Knowledge Dirham: A fee of AED 10 is levied.
- Innovation Dirham: Another fee of AED 10 is charged.
Validity and Renewal of the Establishment Card
An Establishment Card in the UAE is generally valid for one year from the date of issue. It is essential for sponsoring visas, completing immigration transactions, and ensuring your business stays compliant with UAE regulations.
Renewing the card is a straightforward process but should be done before it expires. Late renewal can lead to penalties, delays in visa processing, or restrictions on immigration-related activities.
The renewal process requires submitting the same documents as the initial application, including your trade license, MOA, Emirates ID, and tenancy contract. Government and service fees must also be paid during renewal. Typically, the renewal fee for the Establishment Card is around AED 200, with additional charges. If you need expedited processing, an urgent fee of AED 100 may apply.
Many businesses choose to use PRO services or typing centres to handle renewals efficiently, saving time and avoiding errors.
How Shuraa India Can Help
The Establishment Card is an important document for any business in the UAE. It helps your company run smoothly, sponsor employees, manage visas, and stay fully compliant with immigration rules.
Getting your establishment card or renewing it on time can sometimes feel complicated, especially with changing regulations and multiple documents to prepare. That’s where professional assistance makes a difference. Shuraa India can help you obtain or renew your establishment card quickly and efficiently, taking care of all the paperwork and government procedures.
We take care of everything - from preparing documents, registering with the GDRFA, handling renewals, to providing PRO services, so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork anymore. With our support, you can save time, avoid mistakes, and stay compliant with UAE rules.
If you want to get your Establishment Card without any hassle, connect with Shuraa India and let us handle everything for you.