Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues a trade license copy for a Meydan Free Zone company?
The authority that issued the license supplies the copy. For a Meydan Free Zone company, that is Meydan Free Zone, not Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). DET handles mainland licenses only. Meydan Free Zone issues the Business License digitally after registration.
Will a bank accept a digital license copy for onboarding?
Banks usually accept a digital copy for initial checks, as long as the license is current and the activities match your business. Some banks ask for a certified version or a fuller company profile later in the process. Ask the bank for its document checklist before you send anything.
How does a certified copy differ from a plain copy?
A plain copy reproduces the license as issued and suits routine checks, such as a landlord or supplier review. A certified copy carries an authority stamp or verification feature and suits formal, regulatory or overseas use. The recipient decides which one they need.
Which documents does a company profile usually include?
A company profile typically combines the Business License, Certificate of Formation, Memorandum and Articles of Association and Share Register. It also adds shareholder passport details and proof of registered address. Meydan Free Zone issues the four corporate documents digitally after registration.
Can I submit an expired license copy for a tender?
No. Tender evaluators and banks reject expired licenses, even if the lapse is only days old. Renew the license before it expires, then download the current copy. The activities listed should also match the work covered by the tender.
When do I need a notarised license copy?
Notarisation is usually required when the copy goes to an overseas bank, a foreign authority or a counterparty with formal legal requirements. Most local checks do not need it. Ask the recipient in writing, because notarisation adds time and third-party fees.
Why do banks reject license copies even when they are current?
The usual causes are mismatched details and the wrong document type. A registered address that differs from the lease, or a company name that differs across documents, triggers compliance queries. Keep every document consistent and send the version the bank asked for.
Topic Summary
What a Trade License Copy and Company Profile Are
A trade license copy is a duplicate of the license issued by the authority that registered your company. It shows the name, activities, number and validity dates. A company profile is a wider pack that adds formation documents, shareholder details and the registered address. Banks and landlords often ask for both.
Which Authority Issues Your Trade License Copy
Which Authority Issues Your Trade License Copy
How to Get a Trade License Copy in Dubai
Confirm the issuing authority, log in to its digital portal, locate the license record and download the current copy. Request a certified version if the recipient needs one. Check validity and activities before sending anything. This is how to download a trade license in Dubai without repeat requests.
Company Profile Documents Banks Ask For
A company profile typically combines the trade license, Certificate of Formation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Share Register, shareholder passport details and proof of registered address. Banks decide which items they need, so request their list before assembling the pack.
Costs, Delays and Compliance Risks
Plain digital copies are usually quick to obtain. Certified, translated or notarised versions add time and fees set by the relevant provider. The main risks are expired licenses, mismatched details and the wrong document type.
Plain Copy, Certified Copy or Company Profile
A plain copy suits routine checks. A certified copy suits formal or overseas use. A company profile suits banks, tenders and credit reviews. Ask the recipient what they'll do with the document.
Requesting Trade License Copies and Company Profiles
Knowing how to get a trade license copy in Dubai is rarely the hard part. The delay comes from not knowing which document the requester wants. A copy, a certified copy and a company profile are different things, and the difference decides how fast you're cleared.
This guide explains what each document is, who issues it, and how to prepare it, before applying for your business license with Meydan Free Zone or managing an existing one.
What a Trade License Copy and Company Profile Are
A trade license copy is a duplicate of the license issued by the authority that registered your company. It shows the name, activities, number and validity dates. A company profile is a wider pack that adds formation documents, shareholder details and the registered address. Banks and landlords often ask for both.
Trade License Copy Explained
A copy reproduces the issued license, including the license number, activities, and issue and expiry dates. Digital copies are normally accepted for routine checks. Certified copies carry an authority stamp or a verification feature.
Say a landlord needs a copy to process a lease for your registered address. A plain digital file usually settles it.
Company Profile Explained
A profile bundles the license with formation and ownership documents. Banks use it for onboarding, and buyers use it for tenders and supplier checks. A supplier might request one before extending credit terms. Contents vary by who's asking.
Why the Two Are Often Confused
Requesters use the terms loosely. A founder who sends a plain copy to a bank that needed a certified version can lose several days. Ask what the document will be used for, and clarify plain versus certified up front.
Which Authority Issues Your Trade License Copy
The authority that issued the license also supplies copies. Mainland companies deal with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Free zone companies deal with their own free zone authority. Meydan Free Zone companies receive documents through Meydan Free Zone, not through DET.
Mainland Licenses and DET
DET issues mainland licenses in Dubai, and copies are requested through DET channels. A trader who moved from mainland to a free zone should remember that DET still holds the historic record.
Free Zone Licenses and Their Authority
Free zone companies are licensed by their free zone authority, not DET. Federal bodies don't issue free zone license copies. If a bank asks for a DET-issued document from a free zone company, redirect the request to the right issuer.
How Meydan Free Zone Issues Documents Digitally
After registration, Meydan Free Zone issues the Business License, Certificate of Formation, Share Register, and Memorandum and Articles of Association digitally. Fawri, its fully digital licensing solution for solo entrepreneurs, issues a business license in under 60 minutes. A solo founder can send that license to a bank the same day, with no branch visit.
How to Get a Trade License Copy in Dubai
Confirm the issuing authority, log in to its digital portal, locate the license record and download the current copy. Request a certified version if the recipient needs one. Check validity and activities before sending anything. This is how to download a trade license in Dubai without repeat requests.
Step 1: Confirm the Issuing Authority
- Read the license header for the issuer.
- Free zone licenses stay with the free zone.
- Don't log in elsewhere first.
Step 2: Access the Digital Portal and Download
- Sign in with the registered account.
- Download the current license PDF.
- Keep the validity dates visible.
Step 3: Request a Certified Copy if Needed
- Ask whether plain, certified or notarised is required.
- A foreign bank may want notarisation for an overseas account.
- Allow time for notarisation before deciding on deadlines.
Step 4: Check Validity Before Sharing
- Expired licenses are rejected, as one tender showed when a license lapsed a week earlier.
- Activities should match the transaction.
- Renewal is a recurring cost to plan for.
Company Profile Documents Banks Ask For
A company profile typically combines the trade license, Certificate of Formation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Share Register, shareholder passport details and proof of registered address. Banks decide which items they need, so request their list before assembling the pack.
Core Corporate Documents
- Business License
- Certificate of Formation
- Share Register
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
Meydan Free Zone issues all four digitally, so a founder can merge them into one PDF for the bank's onboarding team.
Ownership and Address Details
Include shareholder identification and evidence of the registered address. Keep details consistent across every document. A mismatch between the license address and the lease triggers compliance queries.
Bank Account Support Through mCore
mCore, part of Meydan Plus, provides business bank account support. It doesn't guarantee approval. A founder can use the profile pack when starting the process.
Costs, Delays and Compliance Risks
Plain digital copies are usually quick to obtain. Certified, translated or notarised versions add time and fees set by the relevant provider. The main risks are expired licenses, mismatched details and the wrong document type.
Official Fees Versus Estimates
Separate authority fees from third-party charges, all in AED. Indicative prices aren't guaranteed costs. Translation is available through Meydan Plus, and a founder should budget translation and notarisation separately.
Which Document Fits the Request
| Feature | Plain or Certified Copy | Company Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Typical contents | The license only, with a stamp if certified | License, formation documents, shareholder and address details |
| Common requester | Landlords and routine counterparties | Banks, tender teams and suppliers |
| Authority involvement | Issuing authority supplies or stamps it | Issuer documents compiled by you |
| Extra time needed | Minimal for plain, longer for certified | Time to assemble and match details |
| Best use case | Lease processing or formal overseas use | Bank onboarding or credit reviews |
Common Reasons Requests Fail
- Expired license.
- Address or name mismatch, such as a landlord rejecting an outdated address.
- Wrong copy type.
Plain Copy, Certified Copy or Company Profile
A plain copy suits routine checks. A certified copy suits formal or overseas use. A company profile suits banks, tenders and credit reviews. Ask the recipient what they'll do with the document.
Matching Document to Purpose
Landlords, banks, suppliers and tender teams each need different items. A supplier credit review wants the profile, while a visa-related request may need only the license. Ask for the checklist in writing.
What This Means for Your Decision
Keep a current digital pack in a standing folder. Renew the license before expiry, and plan lead time for notarisation. That means you can answer most requests the same day.
Knowing how to get a trade license copy in Dubai comes down to identifying the issuer, downloading the current version and matching the document to the request. Before the next bank, landlord or tender request, confirm the document type and assemble your pack.
