Dubai issues 1,882 ‘instant’ business licences in 18 months

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) issued 1,882 ‘instant’ licences – which are handed out in five minutes – from the launch of the service in July 2017 until the end of 2018.

Among the licences issued, 1,641 were Commercial (accounting for 87 per cent) while 241 in the professional category, DED’s Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector said in a statement.

The instant licence enables businessmen to obtain their commercial licences in one step without having a company lease or location for the first year. They only have to present these documents for renewal.

It includes four legal forms – Limited Liability Company, One Person LLC, Sole Proprietorship and Civil Company.

All business activities except public and private shareholding companies can use the service through the various outsourced service centres in Dubai. Holders of general trade licences can only use electronic services.

At least one business partner must be present while applying through the outsourced service centres and must provide a valid passport copy, residence visa copy and no-objection letter from the sponsor of all the parties (partner and manager).

The instant licence also offers the option of an electronic contract and the licencee is given membership in the Dubai Chamber and establishment cards of the ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

The initiative reduces the time required for business registration procedures and licence issuance by 90 per cent, the statement added.

Among those who have made use of the service so far, 88 per cent were men (6,100), while women comprised 12 per cent.

Indian businessmen hold the largest number of instant licences issued so far followed by the nationals of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Britain, Sudan, Jordan, Bangladesh and Canada.

“The instant licence service is in line with BRL’s role in promoting the sustainable economic development and competitiveness of Dubai through targeted initiatives and the application of best practices in areas such as ease of starting business, company registration, smart services, and providing value-added services to licence owners,” said Abdulaziz Bin Hathboor, director of Customer Relation Division, BRL sector.