Trade License
A trade licence is the licence that allows a company to operate. DLD asks for it when a company is a party to a property transaction.
Definition
DLD’s Company shares sale and Company registration application list the “Trade license” among the required documents for companies. For free-zone companies, the Company shares sale page asks instead for a “License/Certificate of Incorporation” and, when buying, a no-objection certificate from the licensing entity to own a property.
What it shows — and what it does not
The licence shows the company exists and is licensed; it does not by itself show who may sign — that comes from the memorandum, a power of attorney or a resolution.
Example
Illustrative example: a mainland company provides its current trade licence when registering with DLD; a free-zone company provides its certificate of incorporation and the free zone’s no-objection certificate.
Next step for a company-owned property
Tell us the company’s legal name and jurisdiction, the property’s registered owner, the intended recipient and who will sign. A trade licence is one part of the file; it does not establish the whole transaction or signing authority. The company-registration glossary entry explains the separate registration terminology.
Source: Company shares sale — Dubai Land Department · supports: trade licence and free-zone documents · checked 11 October 2026
Source: Company registration application — Dubai Land Department · supports: trade licence for company registration · checked 11 October 2026
Governance
- November 2, 2026
Maintenance: Updated for material UAE authority/trustee process changes and recurring user confusion. Method: Editorial Policy