Names
There is no single UAE-wide register. Availability is checked by the authority that will license you, so start by deciding between the mainland and a free zone.
Where to run a UAE trade name search
| Where you register | Where to check the name |
|---|---|
| Dubai mainland | Invest in Dubai (DET), trade name search and booking, with UAE Pass |
| Abu Dhabi mainland | TAMM, Abu Dhabi's government services portal |
| Sharjah, Ajman, RAK and the other emirates | Each emirate's economic development department portal |
| DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, Meydan and other free zones | The free zone's own portal or setup team checks the name as part of the application |
| DIFC and ADGM | The DIFC public register and ADGM public registers |
A practical order
- Shortlist three to five names in the generator above. A green tick means no restricted words were found.
- Check that the .com is free: the generator does this for every name, and "Get domain" takes you to registration.
- Search the register for your emirate or free zone. The check is by pronunciation, so also search spellings that sound the same.
- Search the UAE trademark register and a quick web search, so you don't build on someone else's brand.
- Book the name (AED 620 for a standard name in Dubai, valid 180 days) or hand the shortlist to your free zone.
- Register the .com and the .ae on the same day.
About .ae domains
A .ae domain is sold by accredited registrars under rules set by aeDA (part of the TDRA). For most .ae names the registrant needs a UAE presence, such as a trade licence or residency, so many founders register the .com first and add the .ae once the licence is issued.
Read the UAE trade name rules before you book, so the name is not rejected for a restricted word.
Questions
How do I check if a company name is available in Dubai?
Search the trade name on the Invest in Dubai portal run by the Department of Economy and Tourism. The search compares names by pronunciation, in English and Arabic.
Is a name free everywhere in the UAE if it is free in Dubai?
No. Each emirate and each free zone keeps its own register, so check with the authority that will issue your licence.
Do I need a trade licence to buy a .ae domain?
For most .ae domains the registrant needs a UAE presence such as a trade licence or residency. A .com has no such requirement.
Jurisdictions at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Legal suffix | Domain | Headline corporate tax | Typical setup cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Mainland | LLC, Sole Establishment | .ae | 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 | About AED 11,500–14,000 |
| UAE Free Zone (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ…) | FZ-LLC, FZCO, FZE, DMCC | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | From about AED 6,000 |
| DIFC (Dubai) | Limited, Ltd | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About AED 100,000 year one |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Ltd, Limited | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About US$6,300 |
| Saudi Arabia | LLC | .sa | 20% on foreign-owned profit, 2.5% zakat on Saudi and GCC shares | About SAR 15,000 in fees |
| Qatar (QFC) | LLC | .qa | 10% on locally sourced profit | US$500 application |
| Bahrain | W.L.L., S.P.C. | .bh | No general corporate tax (oil and gas and large multinationals aside) | About BHD 250–450 in fees |
| United Kingdom | Ltd, Limited | .co.uk | 19% to 25% corporation tax | £100 |
| Ireland | Limited, DAC | .ie | 12.5% on trading income | €50 |
| Estonia (e-Residency) | OÜ | .ee | 0% on retained profit, 22% on distributed profit | €265 + e-Residency |
| Netherlands | B.V. | .nl | 19% up to €200,000, then 25.8% | €500–1,500 notary |
| Germany | GmbH, UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | .de | About 30% combined corporate and trade tax | About €600 + capital |
| Cyprus | Ltd, Limited | .com.cy | 15% corporate tax (from 2026) | Low registrar fees |
| USA: Delaware | Inc., LLC, Corp. | .us | 21% federal, no Delaware income tax if you don't operate there | $109–110 |
| USA: Wyoming | LLC | .us | 21% federal, no state income tax | $100 |
| Singapore | Pte. Ltd. | .com.sg | 17% headline, with partial exemptions for new companies | S$315 |
| Hong Kong | Limited | .com.hk | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, then 16.5% | About HK$3,900 |
| British Virgin Islands | Ltd, Limited, Inc. | .vg | 0% | $550 + agent |
| Cayman Islands | Ltd | .ky | 0% | About $5,000 with a provider |
How to choose a company name that gets approved
- Check the register first: names identical or very close to an existing company are refused.
- Avoid regulated words such as Bank, Insurance, Capital or Trust unless you hold the licence.
- In the Gulf, avoid religious, royal or government terms and place names such as Dubai or Emirates.
- In the UK, sensitive words such as British, Royal, Charity or Institute need prior approval.
- Secure the .com and the country domain on the same day you reserve the name.
The rule checks are a quick screen based on published guidance, not legal advice. The registry has the final say.
Information only. CorpNameCheck does not give tax, legal or company-registration advice. Costs, rules and tax rates are simplified estimates that change over time. Many activities need a licence or regulatory approval, and only the relevant registry or regulator can confirm what applies to you. Check name availability and trademarks with the official bodies before you register or buy a domain. Full disclaimer