Certificates and Permits in the UAE: A Practical Guide

Which certificate you need, and who issues it

1. 1

   National Marks for Conformity

   The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) grants the National Marks for Conformity. If your product needs to show it meets the national standard, this is the mark to apply for through MoIAT.

   Documents:Product and conformity details
2. 2

   Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies

   MoIAT grants this recognition to bodies that are technically competent to perform the specific tasks described in the accreditation scope document. If you run a lab or inspection body, this is how your competence is formally recognised.

   Documents:Accreditation scope document
3. 3

   Tax Residency Certificate

   The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) issues Tax Residency Certificates, which allow applicants to benefit from Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) signed with other countries. This is the document to request if you want to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.

   Documents:Proof of residencyPassport or trade licence
4. 4

   International Form stamping

   The FTA also provides International Form stamping, to confirm tax residency status based on equivalent forms issued by other jurisdictions. Use this when another country asks you to have their own residency form stamped by the UAE authority.

   Documents:Foreign residency form
5. 5

   Clearance certificate

   The FTA issues a Clearance certificate — an electronic certificate for a business to prove that it does not have any pending liabilities towards the FTA. It is a clean-slate confirmation from the tax authority.

   Documents:Trade licenceTax registration details
6. 6

   Certificate of Origin

   The Ministry of Economy and Tourism issues a detailed Certificate of Origin to serve as proof of origin for exporting national products. Exporters use it to confirm where their goods were made.

   Documents:Export and product documents
7. 7

   Building completion certificate

   Municipalities in the respective emirates issue the building completion certificate to construction companies after the building has been completed as per the relevant laws, regulations and procedures. It is the official sign-off that a project is finished.

   Documents:Construction and inspection records

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

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