Names
Reserving a trade name is the first official step of a mainland licence. It holds the name for you while you get initial approval, an office and the licence. Free zones and the financial centres handle the name inside their own application instead.
Reserving a trade name in Dubai, step by step
- Pick three to five names. Use the generator above: a green tick means no restricted words. Check the trade name rules for anything orange or red.
- Log in to Invest in Dubai (investindubai.gov.ae), the Department of Economy and Tourism portal, with UAE Pass. Non-residents can apply with a passport, or through an authorised business setup centre.
- Choose the legal form and the activity. The name has to fit both, for example "Masar Logistics" for a logistics LLC.
- Enter the name in English and Arabic. The Arabic is how the name sounds, not its translation. The system checks availability by pronunciation.
- Pay the fee. AED 620 for a standard name. Abbreviations, foreign words and trademark-style names can cost more.
- Download the certificate. Standard names are usually issued within minutes, others within a day. It shows the name, the reservation number and the expiry date.
- Move on to initial approval and the licence before the reservation expires (180 days in Dubai). An expired name goes back to the register and you pay again.
What you need
- Passport copies of every owner or partner, and the Emirates ID for UAE residents.
- The planned activity and legal form (LLC, sole establishment and so on).
- The name in English and Arabic, with one or two back-up names.
The other emirates and the free zones
| Where | How the name is reserved |
|---|---|
| Dubai mainland | Invest in Dubai (DET), AED 620, valid 180 days |
| Abu Dhabi mainland | TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government portal; fees usually around AED 500–1,000 |
| Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain | Each emirate's economic department; fees usually around AED 500–800 |
| DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, Meydan and other free zones | Part of the company application and package fee |
| DIFC and ADGM | Part of the registration on the DIFC and ADGM portals, for a small fee |
A name reserved in one emirate is not reserved in another, and fees outside Dubai change, so confirm the current amount on the portal before you pay.
Mistakes that cost a second fee
- Letting the reservation lapse before the licence is issued.
- Reserving a name that doesn't fit the licensed activity, so it has to change later.
- An Arabic spelling that reads badly. Ask an Arabic speaker before you pay.
- Forgetting the domain: register the .com the same day. See how to check a name and domain.
Questions
How much does it cost to reserve a trade name in Dubai?
AED 620 for a standard name through the Invest in Dubai portal. Names with abbreviations, foreign words or trademark-style elements can fall into premium categories that cost more.
How long is a trade name reservation valid in Dubai?
180 days. If no licence is issued in that time, the name returns to the register and you need a new reservation.
Can I reserve a trade name without UAE residency?
Yes. Non-residents can apply with a passport, either online or through an authorised business setup centre.
Does a name reserved in Dubai cover the other emirates?
No. Each emirate and each free zone keeps its own register, so reserve the name where you will be licensed.
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 |
| Indonesia | PT, PT Perorangan, CV | .co.id | 22% corporate tax, with a 0.5% final tax on turnover for small businesses | From about IDR 5 million for a local PT |
| Hong Kong | Limited | .com.hk | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, then 16.5% | About HK$3,900 |
| Nigeria | Ltd, Limited | .com.ng | 0% for small companies, 25% company income tax plus a 4% development levy for the rest (from 2026) | From ₦10,000 in CAC fees |
| Egypt | LLC, S.A.E., OPC | .com.eg | 22.5% corporate tax | Depends on capital |
| 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