Short answer
Below are the required documents for UAE businesses (KYB):
Trade License / Certificate of Incorporation – Official registration issued by the DED (mainland) or Free Zone Authority.
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA & AoA) / Formation Documents – Governance and operational rules.
Corporate Structure – Share Register / MoA/AoA showing shareholders & % holdings.
Director / Control Person Structure – List of directors/control persons, roles, responsibilities.
Board Resolution / Control List – Authorizes persons to act on behalf of the entity.
Proof of Address – Bank Statement (≤90 days, showing name, address, and transaction).
Proof of Nature of Business – Invoice(s) or Service Agreement(s) confirming active operations.
Beneficial Ownership Information – UBO details (≥25% ownership/control; ≥10% for high-risk).
Representative Information (if applicable) – Identity + Address proof of authorized representatives + Board Resolution/POA.
Additional Documents (Risk-based): Good Standing Certificate, Financial Statements, Ejari/Tenancy, Sector Licenses, Import/Export Permits, Tax Registration.
Long answer
These are the requirements that apply to all Emirates KYB:
Trade License / Certificate of Incorporation
What it is: Official document issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or Free Zone Authority confirming registration, entity type, and incorporation date.
Where to obtain: DED (mainland) or relevant Free Zone Authority (e.g., DMCC, ADGM, DIFC, RAKEZ).
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA & AoA) / Formation Documents
What it is: Governing documents outlining purpose, shareholding, structure, and operational rules.
Where to obtain: Filed with DED (mainland) or Free Zone Authority.
Corporate Structure
What it is: Ownership structure showing shareholders/members and % holdings.
Where to obtain: Share Register (Free Zone) or MoA/AoA (mainland).
Director / Control Person Structure
What it is: Record of directors and control persons, with roles and responsibilities.
Where to obtain: Trade License, Company Resolution, or corporate records.
Board Resolution / Control List
What it is: Document confirming authority of signatories and control persons.
Where to obtain: Issued by the company, certified by Secretary or Board.
Proof of Address (POA)
What it is: Confirms company’s registered address.
Accepted Document: Bank Statement (≤90 days, showing company name + address + transaction).
Proof of Nature of Business
What it is: Confirms the entity is conducting legitimate operations.
Accepted Documents: Invoice(s) issued by the company, Service Agreement(s) or Contract(s) with clients/vendors.
Beneficial Ownership Information
What it is: UBO details as per Cabinet Decision No. 58 of 2020.
Requirement: ≥25% ownership/control (≥10% for high-risk).
Required Documents: Passport, Emirates ID, Proof of Address (≤90 days).
Representative Information (if applicable)
What it is: Details of individuals authorized to act for the company.
Required Documents: Passport/Emirates ID, Proof of Address, POA/Board Resolution confirming authority.
Additional Documents (Risk-based)
Examples:
Good Standing Certificate (confirming company is active).
Latest Financial Statements.
Ejari (tenancy contract) for address proof.
Sector-specific Licenses (regulated businesses).
Import/Export Permits.
Tax Registration Certificate.
COMPANY ONBOARDING & KYB DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST
Document | Purpose | Where to Get It | Tick |
Trade License / Certificate of Incorporation | Confirms registration | DED / Free Zone | ☐ |
MoA & AoA / Formation Certificate | Confirms governance | DED / Free Zone | ☐ |
Shareholder Register / MoA | Confirms ownership % | Company / FZA | ☐ |
Board Resolution / Control List | Confirms authorised persons | Company Secretary / Records | ☐ |
Proof of Address | Confirms registered address | Bank statement ≤90 days | ☐ |
Proof of Nature of Business | Confirms active operations and a legitimate business | Invoices / Service Agreements / Contracts (from company’s accounts team or clients) | ☐ |
UBO Declaration | Confirms UBOs (Cabinet Decision 58/2020) | Company / Regulator | ☐ |
Good Standing Certificate | Confirms company is active | DED / Free Zone | ☐ |
Financial Statements | Confirms financial standing | Company / FZA | ☐ |
Sector-specific licences | Confirms regulated activity | DED / Regulator | ☐ |
Emirate-Specific Licensing Authorities & Certificate Names
In the UAE, corporate registration and licensing differ by Emirate and whether the entity is Mainland or in a Free Zone.
Abu Dhabi:
Mainland: Department of Economic Development (Abu Dhabi DED) → Commercial License.
Free Zone: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) → Certificate of Incorporation + Constitutional Docs.
Dubai:
Mainland: Department of Economic Development (Dubai DED) → Trade License.
Free Zones: DMCC, DSO, DIFC, etc. → Certificate of Incorporation (sometimes with Trade License).
Sharjah:
Mainland: Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) → Trade License.
Free Zones: SAIF Zone, Shams → Certificate of Incorporation.
Ajman:
Mainland: Ajman DED → Trade License.
Free Zone: AFZA → Certificate of Incorporation.
Umm Al-Quwain:
Mainland: UAQ DED → Trade License.
Free Zone: UAQ FTZ → Certificate of Incorporation.
Fujairah:
Mainland: Fujairah DED → Trade License.
Free Zone: FFZA → Certificate of Incorporation + Constitutional Docs.
Ras Al Khaimah:
Mainland: RAK DED → Trade License.
Free Zone: RAKEZ → Certificate of Incorporation + Constitutional Docs.