Rules as of 29 October 2026. Checked against the service pages of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), GDRFA Dubai and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
The short answer: the establishment card (also called the immigration card) registers your company with the immigration authority. Without it, your company cannot sponsor any residence visa, including your own. It is issued after your trade licence, renewed together with the licence, and needs a valid trade licence to be renewed. Renewing more than 30 days late costs AED 100 a month, up to AED 1,000 (ICP).
Two different "establishment cards"
People use the same name for two different registrations. Know which one you are asked for:
| Immigration establishment card | MoHRE establishment card (labour file) | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai. Free Zones arrange it for their companies | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation |
| Who needs it | Every company that sponsors visas: mainland and Free Zone | Mainland companies that hire staff under MoHRE |
| What it allows | Entry permits and residence visas for owners and staff | Work permits and labour contracts |
Most Free Zone owners only deal with the immigration card, and the Free Zone handles it. Mainland companies usually need both.
How to get an establishment card
- Get your trade licence. Nothing starts without it.
- Apply for the establishment card: through your Free Zone, or through ICP or GDRFA Dubai for mainland companies.
- Use it for visas. Once it is issued, you can apply for your own investor or partner visa and your staff visas. See residence visas.
For the MoHRE card, MoHRE asks that the company details be registered first: owners, authorised signatories with signature samples, activity and location. Owners, partners, service agents and signatories each need a personal identification number from MoHRE. MoHRE lists 2 working days to complete it.
Documents usually needed
- Valid trade licence (for an LLC, a licence showing the shareholders)
- Memorandum of association for companies with partners
- Authorised signatory letter and passport copies of the signatories
- Emirates ID or residence visa copy with the unified number (MoHRE card)
- Valid tenancy contract for the MoHRE card, except for instant licences
Renewing the card
ICP renews the card only if the trade licence is valid and the company has no unpaid fines. Processing takes about 2 days. In practice, renew the licence first, then the establishment card, so visa work is never blocked. See our PRO services for renewals.
Fines on the establishment card
ICP lists these fines on its renewal service page:
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Renewing more than 30 days after expiry | AED 100 per month, up to AED 1,000 |
| Changing company details without informing ICP | AED 1,000 |
| Breaking ICP instructions or decisions | AED 2,000 |
| Misusing smart services | AED 2,000 |
| Issuing entry permits for a company with no real activity | AED 20,000 |
Fines in Dubai (GDRFA) and in each Free Zone are set by those authorities, so check with yours.
Updating the card after a change
When you change shareholders, the trade name or other details, the change is made first on the trade licence, then on the establishment card. ICP fines changes that are not reported, so update the card each time the licence changes.
Questions
What is an establishment card in the UAE?
It is the company's registration with the immigration authority (ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai). A company needs it to sponsor entry permits and residence visas for its owners and staff.
What is the difference between the immigration card and the MoHRE establishment card?
The immigration card lets the company sponsor visas. The MoHRE establishment card (labour file) lets a mainland company get work permits and register labour contracts. Free Zone companies usually only need the immigration card, through their Free Zone.
How long does an establishment card take?
ICP lists 2 days for renewal, and MoHRE lists 2 working days for its card, once the documents are complete.
What is the fine for a late establishment card renewal?
ICP charges AED 100 for each month of delay after the first 30 days, up to AED 1,000.
Can I renew the establishment card with an expired trade licence?
No. ICP renews the establishment card only when the trade licence is valid and the company's fines are paid.
Sources
- ICP: Renewal of Establishment Card
- GDRFA Dubai: Renewal of Establishment Card, all categories
- MoHRE: Issuance of Establishment Card
Next step: Corporate services in Dubai
