Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 7490.86 and what does it cover
Activity code 7490.86 is the official Dubai classification for Legal Translation. It authorises the certified translation of legal documents, including contracts, court orders, memoranda of association, powers of attorney, marriage and birth certificates, corporate resolutions, and official government correspondence.
While the licence permits multiple language pairs, Arabic-English remains the dominant commercial requirement across Dubai's legal, real estate, and corporate sectors. The scope does not extend to interpretation services or general commercial translation, which fall under separate activity codes.
Which regulatory bodies oversee legal translation in Dubai
Two separate authorities govern legal translation in Dubai. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) issues the professional licence that authorises you to operate a legal translation business. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) grants certified translator accreditation, which makes translated documents admissible in UAE courts.
Additionally, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority oversees cultural and linguistic standards in the emirate. For federal document requirements, the Official UAE Government Portal serves as a useful reference point.
What is the difference between a DED licence and MOJ accreditation
A DED professional licence authorises you to operate a legal translation business in Dubai — it is the commercial trading licence. MOJ accreditation is a separate status that makes your translated documents legally admissible in UAE courts.
For most legal translation businesses, both are required. Operating without MOJ certification for court-admissible work means courts will routinely reject submitted documents, and operating without a DED licence exposes you to fines from DED enforcement.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a legal translation licence
Applicants must hold a relevant degree in translation, linguistics, or law, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience supported by documentation. Educational certificates must be submitted to the DED as part of the initial approval process.
All educational certificates must pass through the standard UAE attestation chain before they are accepted. Foreign nationals also require a valid UAE residence visa to proceed with the licence application.
How long does it take to set up a legal translation business in Dubai
The typical setup timeline for a DED mainland licence is 2–4 weeks. However, this covers only the commercial licence stage. MOJ accreditation, which is necessary for court-admissible translation work, requires additional weeks beyond that.
Applicants should plan for the full process — including document attestation and MOJ approval — when estimating their operational start date, as the two regulatory tracks run separately and each has its own processing timeline.
Should a legal translation business be set up on the mainland or in a free zone
A mainland licence issued by the DED is the default choice for legal translation businesses. It provides unrestricted access to UAE courts, government entities, law firms, and notary offices — the core client base for this activity.
A free zone licence can suit translation agencies targeting corporate clients, multinational companies, or international law firms. However, free zone entities face added complexity when seeking direct government or court work and may require additional approvals or a mainland branch to operate in those channels.
What business structures are available for a legal translation licence
The legal translation licence can be structured as a sole establishment or a civil company, depending on how you intend to operate. A sole establishment is suited to individual practitioners, while a civil company structure is appropriate when operating with one or more partners.
The chosen structure affects ownership, liability, and how the business is registered with the DED, so it is worth clarifying your operating model before beginning the application process.
What is the VAT threshold for a legal translation business in Dubai
The VAT registration threshold for a legal translation business in Dubai is AED 375,000 in annual turnover. Businesses that reach or expect to reach this threshold are required to register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority.
Businesses operating below this threshold may still opt for voluntary VAT registration, which can be advantageous when working with VAT-registered corporate or government clients. Tracking turnover carefully from the outset is important to ensure timely compliance.
Apply for a Legal Translation License in Dubai
Dubai's position as a global trade and legal hub generates constant demand for certified legal translation — Arabic to English and back — across courts, government bodies, and commercial contracts. Every corporate registration, court filing, property transaction, and immigration application that passes through a UAE authority requires documentation in Arabic, and most international parties need certified English versions in parallel.
This guide covers what the legal translation licence (activity code 7490.86) covers, who regulates it, and the precise steps to get licensed and operational in Dubai.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Activity Code | 7490.86 |
| Activity Name | Legal Translation |
| Regulatory Body | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) / Ministry of Justice (MOJ) |
| Licence Type | Professional Licence |
| VAT Threshold | AED 375,000 annual turnover |
| Typical Setup Timeline | 2–4 weeks (DED); additional weeks for MOJ accreditation |
| Market Context | UAE translation services market growing steadily, driven by legal, commercial, and government documentation demand |
Source: Invest in Dubai
What a Legal Translation Licence Covers
Activity code 7490.86 authorises the certified translation of legal documents. This includes contracts, court orders, memoranda of association, powers of attorney, marriage and birth certificates, corporate resolutions, and official government correspondence.
Arabic remains the mandatory language for all UAE court submissions and government filings. While the licence permits multiple language pairs, Arabic-English remains the dominant commercial requirement across Dubai's legal, real estate, and corporate sectors.
Operating without a valid licence — or without MOJ certification for court-admissible work — carries real consequences. Courts routinely reject documents translated by uncertified parties, and DED enforcement can result in fines. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority oversees cultural and linguistic standards in the emirate, while the MOJ governs all court-certified translation specifically.
The scope of this activity does not extend to interpretation services or general commercial translation — those fall under separate activity codes. If your business model spans both, you will need to list multiple activities on your licence application.
The Official UAE Government Portal provides a reference point for document requirements across federal entities.
Business Activities List
Explore Over 2,500+Regulatory Requirements and Eligibility
Applicants must hold a relevant degree in translation, linguistics, or law — or demonstrate equivalent professional experience with supporting documentation. DED will request educational certificates as part of the initial approval process, and these must be attested through the standard UAE attestation chain.
The DED professional licence and MOJ certified translator status are two separate things. A DED licence authorises you to operate a legal translation business in Dubai. MOJ accreditation is what makes your translated documents admissible in UAE courts. If court-certified work is part of your service offering — and for most legal translation businesses it will be — you need both.
Foreign nationals require a valid UAE residence visa. The licence itself can be structured as a sole establishment or a civil company, depending on whether you are operating as an individual practitioner or with partners.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Structure Fits
A mainland licence issued by DED gives unrestricted access to UAE courts, government entities, law firms, and notary offices — the core client base for legal translation. This is the default choice for anyone whose work involves official document submission.
A free zone licence suits translation agencies targeting corporate clients, multinational companies, or international law firms. However, free zone entities face added complexity when seeking direct government or court work and may require additional approvals or a mainland branch.
Meydan Free Zone offers a cost-efficient entry point for translation businesses focused on commercial clients, with flexible office solutions and a straightforward setup process. It is worth evaluating if your client base sits primarily in the private sector.
Confirm activity approval and structure options via DED eServices before submitting your application.
Free Business Setup Cost Calculator
Calculate NowStep-by-Step Licence Setup Guide
The process is sequential. Skipping steps or running them out of order causes delays. Follow this order:
- Step 1 — Trade name reservation: Apply through DED or your chosen free zone authority. Confirm that the 'Legal Translation' activity (7490.86) is listed and approved on your application form before paying any fees.
- Step 2 — Initial approval submission: Submit educational certificates (attested), passport copy, UAE residence visa, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer if you are already employed in the UAE.
- Step 3 — Office address: DED mainland requires a physical office with an ejari-registered tenancy contract. Some free zones accept flexi-desk or virtual office arrangements. Confirm the requirement with your chosen authority before signing any lease.
- Step 4 — MOJ accreditation (parallel process): If court-certified translation is part of your scope, apply to the UAE Ministry of Justice for certified translator accreditation simultaneously. This involves a language proficiency assessment and document verification. Do not wait for your DED licence before starting this process.
- Step 5 — Licence issuance and staff registration: Pay licence fees, collect your trade licence, then register with MOHRE if you intend to hire staff. Labour cards and work permits follow the licence issuance.
Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks for the DED licence from initial approval to collection. MOJ accreditation runs on a separate timeline and may take additional weeks depending on document verification queues and examination scheduling.
Primary cost lines include the DED professional licence fee, ejari office costs, attestation fees for educational documents, and MOJ registration fees. For a structured cost breakdown, Invest in Dubai provides guidance on professional licence categories.
Start Your UAE Company Remotely
Get in Touch NowOperating Costs, VAT, and Compliance
Your DED licence requires annual renewal, typically due on the licence anniversary date. Allow time for this — operating on an expired licence creates compliance issues and can affect your ability to renew visas or open bank accounts.
VAT at 5% applies to translation services supplied within the UAE. Registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory once your annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Voluntary registration is available below that threshold and can be commercially useful if your clients are VAT-registered businesses reclaiming input tax.
Freelance translators operating under an individual professional licence must maintain separate VAT records if the threshold is met. The FTA treats the individual as the taxable person, not the licence type.
Professional indemnity insurance is not a regulatory requirement under the DED framework, but it is advisable. Legal translation errors carry real liability — a mistranslated clause in a contract or a court submission can generate claims that are disproportionate to the original fee.
Conclusion
A legal translation licence in Dubai requires the right business structure, verified credentials, and — for court work — separate MOJ accreditation. None of these steps are complicated in isolation, but they need to be sequenced correctly. A DED professional licence gets you operational. MOJ accreditation gets you into courts and government offices. Both are necessary for a full-service legal translation practice in Dubai.
The market is real and recurring. Every business setup, property transaction, litigation matter, and immigration application generates translation work. Getting licensed properly is the entry point.
Speak to a business setup adviser to confirm the right licence structure for your language services operation and get your application moving without delays.
References
- Invest in Dubai (investindubai.gov.ae)
- Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (dubaiculture.gov.ae)
- The Official UAE Government Portal (u.ae)
- DED eServices (eservices.dubaided.gov.ae)
- MOHRE (mohre.gov.ae)
- Federal Tax Authority (FTA) (tax.gov.ae)
