The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a global hub for trade, services, and investment. Every company registered in the UAE is classified under a specific category based on its business activities. Understanding and verifying a company’s category is essential for entrepreneurs, investors, and customers to ensure compliance and transparency.
In this article, we’ll explain what a company category means in the UAE, why it is important, and how you can check a company’s category online.
What is a Company Category in the UAE?
A company category in the UAE refers to the classification of a business based on its licensed activities. The Department of Economic Development (DED) in each emirate and free zone authorities define these categories to regulate and monitor businesses effectively.
The main company categories in the UAE are:
- Commercial – Trading, import/export, general trading, retail, wholesale
- Industrial – Manufacturing, production, factories
- Professional – Consultancy, legal services, IT, healthcare, education
- Tourism – Travel agencies, hospitality, tour operators
Each business is issued a trade license under one of these categories.
Why Check Company Category in the UAE?
Checking a company’s category helps you:
- ✅ Verify that the business is legally registered
- ✅ Ensure the company is authorized to conduct specific activities
- ✅ Confirm compliance with UAE laws and regulations
- ✅ Avoid dealing with unlicensed or fraudulent businesses
- ✅ Choose the correct license category when setting up your own company
How to Check Company Category in UAE
Depending on where a business is registered, you can check its category through official government portals.
1. Dubai – Department of Economy & Tourism (DET)
- Visit the Dubai Economy website
- Use the license verification tool
- Enter the trade license number or company name
- The portal will display the company’s category, activities, and license details
2. Abu Dhabi – Department of Economic Development (ADDED)
- Visit the ADDED website
- Use the business inquiry option
- Enter company details to check category and activity
3. Sharjah – Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
- Visit the SEDD portal
- Search using trade name or license number
4. Other Emirates (Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Fujairah)
Each emirate’s DED provides an online search tool to verify company category and activity.
5. Free Zones in UAE
If the company is registered in a free zone (e.g., DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC), you can check its category through the free zone authority’s official portal.
Information You Can Find When Checking a Company Category
When you check a company’s category in the UAE, you will usually see:
- ✅ Trade license type (commercial, industrial, professional, or tourism)
- ✅ Authorized activities under the license
- ✅ Company name and registration details
- ✅ License validity and expiry date
- ✅ Office or branch location
Step-by-Step Process to Check Company Category
- Identify whether the company is in mainland or free zone.
- Visit the relevant DED or free zone portal.
- Enter the license number or company name.
- Review the displayed details such as category, activities, and validity.
- Verify that the company’s license is active and aligned with its operations.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to check company category in UAE is essential for investors, entrepreneurs, and customers. It ensures that you’re dealing with a legally registered and compliant business.
Whether you’re verifying a potential partner, checking competitors, or applying for your own license, the UAE government provides easy online tools to check company categories.
By doing this, you can avoid legal risks, ensure transparency, and make informed business decisions in the UAE.
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