Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital copy of my business license to open a bank account in Dubai?
Usually, though check with the bank first. A Meydan Free Zone company receives its Business License digitally, so the digital file is the source document for banking. Banks may still ask for the Certificate of Formation, Share Register and Memorandum and Articles of Association alongside it, and each bank applies its own due diligence.
What is the difference between a certified copy and an attested copy of a business license?
A certified copy carries a stamp or declaration confirming it matches the original document. An attested copy goes through the official attestation chain, usually because a foreign authority, overseas bank or court requires it. Ask the requesting party which type it needs before you order anything.
Do I need a notarised license copy to send documents overseas?
Not always. Overseas suppliers often accept a clear digital copy for routine checks, while foreign banks and authorities may require notarisation or attestation. Attestation for use abroad follows the rules of the destination country, so confirm them with the recipient first.
How do I get a copy if I have lost my company's license?
A Meydan Free Zone company holds its Business License as a digital document, so it can be retrieved from your digital records rather than reissued on paper. Mainland licenses are issued through DET, and a mainland company would obtain a replacement from that channel. Do not assume mainland portals apply to a free zone company.
Does an expired license copy still count as proof of my company's existence?
Usually not. Banks, landlords and suppliers check the expiry date and often reject a copy that shows an expired date, even if the license was renewed days later. Renew first, then share the updated copy and replace old versions held by counterparties.
Which documents should I send together with my business license copy?
Banks and authorities commonly ask for the Certificate of Formation, Share Register and Memorandum and Articles of Association with the license. Meydan Free Zone issues all four documents digitally after registration. Make sure the company name, activity and shareholder details match across every document.
Will a valid license copy guarantee my bank account is approved?
No. A valid copy supports the application, but approval remains the bank's decision after its own due diligence. mCore, part of Meydan Plus, provides business bank account support, though it does not guarantee approval.
Topic Summary
What a Trade License Copy in Dubai Means
A trade license copy is a duplicate of your company's valid business license, used as proof of legal existence and permitted activities. It can be a plain digital copy, a certified true copy or an attested copy, depending on who requests it and why. If you're still weighing structures, types of business licenses in Dubai is a useful starting point.
How Meydan Free Zone Issues Your License Digitally
After registration, Meydan Free Zone issues the Business License, Certificate of Formation, Share Register, and Memorandum and Articles of Association digitally. Your license copy therefore starts as an official digital document, with no courier or paper collection.
How to Get a Trade License Copy in Dubai in Five Steps
To get a license copy, confirm which type the requester needs and check your license is active. Then download the digital license, request certification or attestation if required, and verify the details before sending.
Where a License Copy Is Needed for Banking and Stamps
A license copy is commonly requested for bank account opening, company stamps, tax registration, visas and supplier onboarding. Banks apply their own due diligence, so a valid copy supports an application but doesn't guarantee approval.
Mainland and Free Zone Sources of a License Copy
A mainland license is issued through DET, while a free zone license is issued by the free zone authority. Your issuing authority determines where you obtain the official copy, so Meydan Free Zone companies use their digitally issued documents. Invest in Dubai outlines the wider licensing landscape.
Common License Copy Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Common mistakes are sending an expired copy, supplying the wrong type, sharing low-quality scans and presenting details that don't match other documents. Check dates, details and format before sharing, and keep a master digital file.
Conclusion
A trade license copy is simple to produce once you know the copy type, the issuing authority and the details a recipient will check. For a Meydan Free Zone company, the digitally issued Business License is the starting point, with certification or attestation added only when required. Check validity, match details and keep a clean master file.
Business License Copy in Dubai: How to Get One for Your Company
A license copy feels like a minor administrative item until a bank, landlord or supplier refuses to proceed without one. Many founders assume the original document is enough, but counterparties often ask for a current, clear and sometimes attested copy. So which copy do you need, and where does it come from? This guide explains the copy types, who issues them and what to check before you send one.
What a Trade License Copy in Dubai Means
A trade license copy is a duplicate of your company's valid business license, used as proof of legal existence and permitted activities. It can be a plain digital copy, a certified true copy or an attested copy, depending on who requests it and why. If you're still weighing structures, types of business licenses in Dubai is a useful starting point.
Plain, Certified and Attested Copies Compared
A plain copy is a scan or print of the digital license. Suppliers and landlords usually accept it for routine checks. A certified copy carries a stamp or declaration confirming it matches the original. An attested copy goes through the official attestation chain and is typically required by foreign authorities, overseas banks or courts.
Ask the requesting party which type it needs before you order anything. Say an overseas supplier asks a founder for a "notarised license copy". The plain PDF they sent first won't do, so they need to get it notarised.
What Details a License Copy Shows
- Company name, license number and legal form.
- Licensed activities and the issuing authority.
- Issue and expiry dates.
- Registered address, plus shareholder or manager details where displayed.
The expiry date decides whether a copy is accepted. A bank may reject a copy showing an expired date, so send the renewed license once you have it.
Why Counterparties Ask for One
Banks need it for account opening and due diligence. Landlords, suppliers and platforms use it to verify the entity. Tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and visa processes also rely on the license as a core document. A new trading company often supplies the same copy to its bank and again for tax registration.
How Meydan Free Zone Issues Your License Digitally
After registration, Meydan Free Zone issues the Business License, Certificate of Formation, Share Register, and Memorandum and Articles of Association digitally. Your license copy therefore starts as an official digital document, with no courier or paper collection.
Digital-First Issuance After Registration
The digital file is the source for every copy you later share. Fawri, Meydan Free Zone's fully digital licensing solution for single-shareholder companies, issues a Business License in under 60 minutes. A solo consultant setting up through Fawri can forward the license straight to a bank.
Documents That Travel With Your Business License
- Certificate of Formation.
- Share Register.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Banks often request these as one onboarding pack alongside the license.
Free Zone Authority, Not Mainland Channels
Free zone licensing sits with the free zone authority, not the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Mainland licenses come through DET, so the copy process differs. Some founders search mainland portals first, then find the document already sits in their digital records. The process of obtaining a business license in Meydan Free Zone shows what you receive and when.
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Calculate NowHow to Get a Trade License Copy in Dubai in Five Steps
To get a license copy, confirm which type the requester needs and check your license is active. Then download the digital license, request certification or attestation if required, and verify the details before sending.
- Confirm the copy type. Ask whether a plain, certified or attested copy is needed, and whether a digital file is accepted. A landlord may accept a PDF while an overseas partner demands attestation.
- Check the license is active. Review the expiry date and licensed activities. Renew first if the date is close, as some recipients reject near-expired copies.
- Download the digital license. Meydan Free Zone companies use the digitally issued Business License. Keep the original file unaltered, name it clearly and store it in a shared folder for finance and legal teams.
- Arrange certification or attestation. For use abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) says UAE-issued documents are attested by the issuing entity, then MoFA, then a UAE mission abroad. Trade licenses count as commercial documents. Check destination rules and current fees with the provider or authority.
- Check the details. Confirm name, number, activity and dates before sending.
Types of License Copy and When Each Is Used
| Feature | Plain or Certified Copy | Attested Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Local banks, landlords, suppliers and platforms | Foreign authorities, overseas banks, court matters |
| Who requests it | Counterparties running routine verification | Overseas partners and foreign institutions |
| Preparation needed | Download the digital license; add a stamp if certified | Attestation by the issuing entity and MoFA, plus any destination-country steps |
| Cost basis (estimate only) | Little or none for plain; certifier's fee if stamped | Notary and attestation fees set by each provider |
| Accepted abroad | Rarely, without further attestation | Yes, where the destination country's steps are completed |
Where a License Copy Is Needed for Banking and Stamps
A license copy is commonly requested for bank account opening, company stamps, tax registration, visas and supplier onboarding. Banks apply their own due diligence, so a valid copy supports an application but doesn't guarantee approval.
Banking and Due Diligence Requests
Banks compare your license with shareholder and activity details. A founder typically supplies the Business License, Memorandum and Articles of Association and Share Register. mCore, part of Meydan Plus, covers business bank account support, though approval remains the bank's decision. The Central Bank of the UAE regulates the banks you'll deal with.
Stamps, Tax and Visa Processes
- mCore includes Company Stamp services, which rely on license details.
- VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority requires licensing documents.
- mResidency supports residence visas, medical tests and Emirates ID.
One company can order a stamp and register for VAT using the same license file.
Mainland and Free Zone Sources of a License Copy
A mainland license is issued through DET, while a free zone license is issued by the free zone authority. Your issuing authority determines where you obtain the official copy, so Meydan Free Zone companies use their digitally issued documents. Invest in Dubai outlines the wider licensing landscape.
Why the Issuing Authority Matters
Each authority controls its own license records. A supplier may ask for the issuing authority's name on a certified copy. Procedures change, so check current requirements before you send anything.
When Copy Needs Differ by Business Activity
Trading, service and document-related activities draw different checks. The activity wording on your license copy must match what you actually do. A document preparation business, for instance, needs wording that aligns with its client contracts. See how to apply for a document preparation license in Dubai.
Common License Copy Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Common mistakes are sending an expired copy, supplying the wrong type, sharing low-quality scans and presenting details that don't match other documents. Check dates, details and format before sharing, and keep a master digital file.
Expired or Outdated Copies
Renew before the expiry date and replace old copies held by banks and suppliers. A supplier holding an outdated copy may block payment until a current one arrives.
Mismatched Details Across Documents
- Company name, activity and shareholder details must align across the license, Share Register and Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Correct errors at source before issuing copies.
- A single spelling difference can trigger a bank query.
Sharing Copies Without Control
Mark copies with purpose and date where appropriate, and share only with parties that need them. A founder submitting a tender can watermark the copy for that tender alone.
Conclusion
A trade license copy is simple to produce once you know the copy type, the issuing authority and the details a recipient will check. For a Meydan Free Zone company, the digitally issued Business License is the starting point, with certification or attestation added only when required. Check validity, match details and keep a clean master file.
Before you request or send a copy, confirm what the recipient needs, check your expiry date and prepare the supporting documents. If you're still choosing a structure, review the UAE trade license guide.
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