An Establishment Card in the UAE is a government registration that links a UAE business to the relevant immigration or labour authority. Without it, a company cannot sponsor visas or process work permits for its staff.
For immigration purposes, the card opens the company’s establishment file for visa-related transactions, handled by GDRFA in Dubai or ICP in other emirates. A separate MOHRE establishment card exists for labour and work-permit purposes. This guide covers both, plus the separate MOFA card for diplomatic missions, checked against the official GDRFA, ICP and MOHRE service pages.
What Is an Establishment Card in the UAE?
An official registration that connects a company to an immigration or labour authority, GDRFA, ICP, or MOHRE depending on the function, enabling the business to sponsor employee visas, process work permits, and complete related government transactions.
Who Needs an Establishment Card?
Mainland companies employing staff
Free zone companies employing staff
Companies sponsoring employee, investor, or partner visas
Government entities and specific licensed activities, including foreign missions through MOFA’s separate service
The exact authority and card type depend on your business structure and location, covered in detail below.
Other Names You Might See
Depending on the authority or source, the same or a related registration may be called:
Immigration Card
Company Immigration Card (CIC)
Computer Card or Computer Establishment Card (CEC)
Establishment ID
These terms are often used loosely for the immigration-side card. They shouldn’t be confused with an employee’s own labour card or the separate MOHRE establishment file, which is a distinct registration with its own fees and process.
Is an Establishment Card the Same as a Trade Licence?
No.
A trade licence, issued by the relevant economic department, confirms your legal right to operate a business
The Establishment Card, issued by immigration or labour authorities, confirms your right to sponsor employees and manage visas or work permits
These are separate functions, holding one doesn’t replace the other
Immigration Card vs MOHRE Establishment Card: Who Handles What?
This is the most important distinction in this topic.
Immigration Establishment Card
MOHRE Establishment Card
Authority
GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates)
MOHRE
Main purpose
Company immigration file
Company labour file
Used for
Visa and immigration transactions
Work permits and labour transactions
Dubai mainland
Generally required
Generally required if employing workers
Free zones
Depends on the zone
Usually handled through the free zone’s own system
Is There a Different Establishment Card for Diplomatic Missions?
Yes. MOFA’s Establishment Card service is specifically for foreign diplomatic missions and embassies opening in the UAE, an entirely different process, applicant type, and purpose from the business establishment cards covered in this guide.
What Information Is Shown on an UAE Establishment Card?
According to ICP, the electronic card records the establishment’s registered data, such as:
Trade name
Licence number
Partners
Type of business activity
Establishment number, authorised signatory, and validity details, where applicable to the specific card
What Is an Establishment Number?
The establishment number is the unique identifier tied to your company’s government file with the issuing authority. You’ll need it for related government transactions going forward, renewals, amendments, and visa applications, so keep it on hand alongside your trade licence details.
Why Do Businesses Need an Establishment Card?
Sponsor and manage employee visas
Apply for and renew work permits
Support the immigration processes associated with sponsored employees, partners, and investors
Access government smart portals for immigration-related transactions
How Much Does an Establishment Card Cost in the UAE?
Costs differ by authority, so there is no single UAE-wide price.
Subscription to the Authority’s Electronic System for Establishments
AED 2,000
ICP’s service page also lists a AED 75,000 tourism financial guarantee, a AED 1,000 system subscription guarantee and a AED 20 guarantee deposit fee for the relevant private sector categories.
MOHRE Establishment Card
Fee Component
Amount
Ta’qeem fee
AED 406
Business centre commission (maximum)
AED 72
MOHRE’s own service is free of charge through its website and app, only the government fees above apply. Free zone establishment card fees are set by each free zone’s own authority and vary by zone, so confirm current fees directly with your free zone.
Documents Required for an Establishment Card UAE
Requirements differ by which authority is issuing the card.
For GDRFA (Dubai Immigration)
Trade licence
Memorandum of Association, where applicable
Official letter requesting file opening, signed by an authorised representative
Signature authorisation letter for authorised signatories
Emirates ID of authorised signatories
For ICP (Other Emirates)
Trade licence, with stakeholder details attached for LLCs specifically
Signature authorisation letter
Memorandum of Association, in case of a partnership
Any additional requirements set by the local government authority in that emirate
For government entities specifically: a copy of the decree establishing the entity, the board resolution, and an official request letter instead of a trade licence
For MOHRE (Labour)
Valid trade licence
Ministry-issued personal identification number for owners, partners, and authorised signatories
The authorised signatory must also be authorised to sign with ICP
Can You Apply for an Establishment Card Online?
Yes, though the exact channel depends on the authority.
ICP: through ICP’s Issuing an Establishment Card service on its Smart Services channels. ICP’s terms state that the application for initial approval and establishment card issuance must be submitted through its authorised service providers, such as approved typing centres
Free zone companies: through their specific free zone authority’s own portal, not directly through GDRFA or ICP
How to Apply for an Establishment Card in the UAE
Confirm the correct authority for your jurisdiction and purpose, GDRFA for Dubai immigration, ICP for other emirates, MOHRE for labour registration, or your specific free zone authority
Gather your trade licence and the authority-specific documents above
Submit the application through the relevant channel: an ICP authorised service provider for ICP’s establishment card service, MOHRE’s service on its website or app, GDRFA or Amer in Dubai, or your free zone portal
Pay the applicable fees
Receive approval and your electronic establishment card
ICP and MOHRE both list 2 working days for issuing the card. GDRFA lists 48 hours for renewal, and new GDRFA applications can take longer if documents are incomplete. GDRFA also offers an urgent option for an extra fee.
How to Renew an Establishment Card in the UAE
Confirm which authority originally issued the card
Confirm that your trade licence is valid and that the establishment details are up to date
For GDRFA Dubai specifically, the current service page lists an expected completion time of 48 hours, available through GDRFA’s digital channels 24/7, or through Amer service centres during their normal operating hours.
Screenshot: ICP Renewal of Establishment Card service page on the official icp.gov.ae website (captured October 2026).
How Long Is an Establishment Card Valid For?
This also differs by authority.
GDRFA (Dubai): generally one year, matching the trade licence cycle
MOHRE: two years, according to its service page
ICP and free zones: commonly one year, though some categories and zones report longer validity tied to a licence package
Always check the expiry date printed on your specific card rather than assuming a fixed period applies universally.
What Happens If an Establishment Card Expires?
An expired establishment card can interrupt related immigration or labour services, including new visa applications, renewals, and work permit processing, until it’s renewed. Check the applicable authority directly for the current penalty structure before assuming a specific figure, since this varies and is worth confirming at the time you need it.
What If Your Establishment Card Is Blocked?
This is different from simple expiry. GDRFA runs a dedicated service for lifting an establishment ban in Dubai. Commonly requested documents include:
Establishment card
Commercial licence
Recent rental certificate
Establishment bank statement covering the last 6 months
Electricity and water bill
Commercial contracts
Tax registration certificate
Employee salary transfer statement (WPS)
A blocked establishment file typically halts new visa transactions until the ban is lifted, and the authority may request further documents depending on the establishment’s specific activity.
How to Check Your Establishment Card Status Online
If a business closes or no longer needs its establishment card, GDRFA’s cancellation service covers private sector, free zone, government, and national company establishments alike.
A business card and a cancellation letter from the sponsor are generally required
No sponsored persons can remain listed on the establishment card at the time of cancellation
Fees are modest, typically a small collection commission rather than a full issuance-level charge
How to Modify or Replace a Lost Establishment Card
Modifications (trade name changes, ownership transfers, authorised signatory updates) require submitting updated company documents through the issuing authority’s portal, along with an applicable modification fee. For GDRFA Dubai specifically, this is reported at AED 100 plus VAT, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, and a AED 50 service fee
Lost card replacement requires a replacement request, along with a copy of the trade licence and the authorised signatory’s Emirates ID
Both processes are typically completed digitally, with a soft copy of the updated or replacement card emailed once approved
Conclusion
The key points about the Establishment Card in the UAE:
The immigration establishment card (GDRFA or ICP) and the MOHRE establishment card are separate registrations with different fees, purposes, and authorities, not one document with different names
Costs and validity periods differ meaningfully by authority, so a single blanket figure for the whole UAE is misleading
If you’re also working through your company’s visa sponsorship setup, our guide on UAE business visa requirements covers the process this card directly enables.
Confirm your specific jurisdiction’s exact process and current fees directly with GDRFA, ICP, MOHRE, or your free zone authority before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Establishment Card in the UAE?
A government registration, issued by GDRFA, ICP, or MOHRE depending on the function, that connects a company to an immigration or labour authority for visa and work permit purposes.
Is an Establishment Card the same as a trade licence?
No. A trade licence confirms your right to operate a business, issued by an economic department. An Establishment Card confirms your right to sponsor employees and manage visas or work permits, issued by immigration or labour authorities.
What is the difference between an Immigration Establishment Card and a MOHRE Establishment Card?
The immigration card, issued by GDRFA or ICP, handles visa and immigration transactions. The MOHRE establishment card is a separate registration for labour and work-permit purposes, with its own fees and process.
How much does an Establishment Card cost in the UAE?
The cost depends on the authority and service channel. For Dubai, GDRFA lists an AED 200 establishment card fee, plus 5% VAT, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham, and a AED 50 service fee. An additional AED 100 applies for urgent processing, and applications through Amer centres carry a further AED 100 fee. ICP’s federal fees include a AED 2,000 electronic system subscription alongside smaller application charges. MOHRE charges a AED 406 Ta’qeem fee. Free zone fees are set independently by each zone.
Do Dubai companies need two Establishment Cards?
Often yes. Mainland companies in Dubai typically need one from GDRFA for immigration purposes and a separate one from MOHRE for labour purposes.
Can I apply for an Establishment Card online?
Yes. ICP applications are submitted online through its authorised service providers, MOHRE offers its own website and app, and GDRFA and Amer provide Dubai’s channels. Free zone companies apply through their own free zone authority’s portal.
What is the Establishment Card number?
A unique identifier tied to your company’s government file with the issuing authority, used for renewals, amendments, and future government transactions.
How long does it take to get an Establishment Card?
ICP and MOHRE both list 2 working days. In Dubai, GDRFA lists 48 hours for renewal, and new applications depend on how complete your documents are.
How do I check my Establishment Card status?
Through GDRFA’s or ICP’s official smart services portal, using your company or establishment details.
What happens if my Establishment Card expires?
Related visa or work permit services get interrupted until it’s renewed. Confirm the current penalty structure directly with the issuing authority.
What if my Establishment Card is blocked?
GDRFA runs a dedicated service in Dubai to lift an establishment ban, generally requiring the establishment card, trade licence, rental certificate, recent bank statements, utility bills, and a WPS salary transfer statement.
How do I cancel an Establishment Card in the UAE?
Through GDRFA’s cancellation service in Dubai, generally requiring a business card and a cancellation letter from the sponsor, with no sponsored persons remaining on the card at the time of cancellation.
Updates Section
Last updated: October 2026. Reflects the fees and processes on the current GDRFA, ICP and MOHRE service pages.
Anees is a UAE-based content creator, writer, and SEO professional with over 12 years of experience. Since 2014, he has published research-backed guides on UAE visas, labour laws, jobs, traffic fines, and government services, all verified against official sources. He is certified in SEO by HubSpot Academy and Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage.
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Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only, based on publicly available UAE laws and regulations. It does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with official UAE government sources or a qualified legal professional.
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