UAE Business Glossary
DET, DMCC, ESR, goAML, QFZP, UBO — the UAE business landscape runs on acronyms. Here's what each one means, and what it means for you. Updated for 2026.
The legacy name of the emirate-level authority that licenses mainland businesses. In Dubai, the DED was renamed the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in 2022. Other emirates still use DED (Abu Dhabi DED, Sharjah DED, Ajman DED).
Any mainland company set up in Dubai before 2022 will have 'DED' on old paperwork; new Dubai mainland licences now say 'DET'. Outside Dubai, the DED is still the authority you register with.
The Dubai government authority that licenses all mainland businesses in the emirate. Formerly the DED. Issues the trade licence, reserves the trade name, and approves business activities.
If you want to operate anywhere in Dubai outside a free zone — or bid for Dubai government contracts — you register with the DET. Ejari is mandatory, and the licence is renewed annually.
The federal ministry governing private-sector labour and employment in the UAE. Issues work permits, enforces Emiratisation quotas (mandatory UAE-national hiring percentages for firms with 50+ employees), and administers the Wages Protection System (WPS).
Every mainland employee needs a MOHRE work permit. Companies with 50+ staff must comply with Emiratisation targets (2% growth per year through 2026). Free zone employees are governed by the free-zone authority, not MOHRE.
The UAE federal authority responsible for residence visas, Emirates ID, entry permits, and border control. The ICP platform is used for most visa applications, renewals, and status changes.
Every investor visa, residence visa, and Emirates ID for your UAE business goes through ICP or (in Dubai specifically) GDRFA. ICP fees: entry permit AED 1,100–1,500, residence stamping AED 700–1,300.
The UAE federal authority that administers Corporate Tax, VAT, and Excise Tax. Runs the EmaraTax portal for registration, return filing, and payments.
Every UAE business must register with the FTA for Corporate Tax (mandatory since 2023) and, if applicable, VAT (5% if taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000). Late registration: AED 10,000. Late filing: AED 500/month first year, AED 1,000/month from month 13.
A Dubai-based free zone operating out of Dubai Silicon Oasis, known for 1,000+ permitted activities, no paid-up share capital requirement, and mature banking relationships. One of the most popular free zones for service businesses.
IFZA is usually the default choice for consultants, SaaS founders, marketing agencies, and trading companies wanting a Dubai-registered free zone licence at a reasonable cost (from AED 12,900).
The consolidated free zone authority for Ras Al Khaimah, formed by merging RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority. Known for the lowest-cost UAE licences, industrial-friendly infrastructure, and large land plots for manufacturing.
If budget is the primary constraint, or you are running a manufacturing, logistics, or storage-heavy business, RAKEZ typically beats Dubai free zones on total cost by 30–50%.
Established in 1985 and adjacent to Jebel Ali Port — the busiest man-made deepwater port in the world — and Al Maktoum International Airport. Home to 9,500+ companies including a quarter of the Fortune Global 500.
JAFZA is the right choice for import/export, logistics, heavy industrial, and multinational UAE HQ operations. Pay more than other free zones, but you get port access, customs-bonded warehousing, and global credibility.
Named Global #1 Free Zone by the Financial Times every year since 2015. Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT). Strong in commodities, crypto/DLT, and premium service businesses. Known for the best banking acceptance rates in Dubai.
DMCC is the premium choice when the brand on your invoice matters — investor fundraising, enterprise procurement, crypto licensing. Expect AED 50,000–80,000 year-one all-in, but banks approve DMCC applications faster than almost any other zone.
A financial free zone on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, operating under an independent English-common-law framework and regulated by the FSRA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority). Home to banks, asset managers, family offices, and crypto-native businesses.
If you are running regulated financial services (asset management, payments, brokerage, virtual assets), ADGM or DIFC are your only UAE options. ADGM is generally faster to set up and slightly cheaper than DIFC.
Dubai's financial free zone, operating under English common law with its own courts and regulator (DFSA). Home to 5,000+ financial firms, legal practices, and family offices. Premium regulated environment.
DIFC is the prestige address for regulated financial services and private-client work. Expect AED 50,000+ to set up a basic firm and significantly more for a regulated entity. Worth it if your clients demand common-law jurisdiction.
UAE regulations introduced under Cabinet Decision No. 57 of 2020 that require companies conducting 'relevant activities' (banking, insurance, investment, IP, headquarters, shipping, distribution/service centres, lease-finance, holding) to demonstrate real UAE economic substance — staff, premises, and expenditure — or face penalties.
If your licence includes any of the relevant activities, you must file an annual ESR notification and, if applicable, an economic substance report. Missed notifications trigger AED 20,000 penalties; missed substance reports can go to AED 50,000 and escalate to AED 400,000.
The UAE's AML/CFT framework (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 and Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019) requiring businesses — particularly DNFBPs — to prevent, detect, and report suspicious financial activity. Enforced by the UAE Central Bank, the Ministry of Economy, and FIUAE.
If you are a real estate agent, auditor, accountant, lawyer, dealer in precious metals, or corporate service provider, you are a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and AML compliance is legally mandatory. Non-compliance triggers fines from AED 50,000 to AED 5 million and potential licence suspension.
The UAE's online reporting system for AML/CFT obligations, operated by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIUAE). DNFBPs and financial institutions use goAML to file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
If your business falls under DNFBP rules, you must register on goAML and file reports whenever a suspicious transaction or client behaviour occurs. Registration is free; fines for failing to register or file start at AED 50,000.
Any natural person who ultimately owns 25%+ of a company, directly or indirectly, or otherwise exercises effective control. Under Cabinet Decision No. 58 of 2020, every UAE entity must maintain a UBO register and file it with the licensing authority.
You must identify and file every UBO within 60 days of incorporation, and update within 15 days of any change. Failure: penalties from AED 50,000 and potential licence suspension. Banks will refuse to open accounts without a clean UBO declaration.
A UAE Corporate Tax status under which a free-zone company pays 0% corporate tax on 'Qualifying Income' — broadly, revenue from other free zones, exports, and certain approved activities. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%.
Having a free-zone licence does NOT automatically give you 0% corporate tax. You must pass the QFZP test: audited financials, adequate substance, non-qualifying income below de-minimis thresholds, and qualifying activities. Get this wrong and your entire profit is taxed at 9%.
The Dubai Land Department's electronic rental-contract registration system. Every tenancy contract in Dubai — residential, commercial, and industrial — must be registered on Ejari, which produces a legally binding record used for visa, licence, utility, and court purposes.
Mainland companies in Dubai cannot get or renew a DET trade licence without a valid Ejari. Free zone companies with a flexi-desk generally avoid Ejari. Ejari registration costs AED 220 + 5% of annual rent (typical).
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