If you intend to set up a company in the UAE, one of the essential documents you need is the Establishment Card. This card is crucial for hiring employees, issuing work visas, and interacting with various departments. In this article, we will introduce you to all the necessary points for obtaining the Establishment Card and the Company Labour Card. What is an Establishment Card? The Establishment Card is a document that confirms your company's official identity in the UAE and acts as your company's identification when dealing with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. There are two types of Establishment Cards in the UAE: 1. Card issued by the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security) This card includes the basic information of the company, the name of the owner or sponsor, contact number, card number, and expiration date. 2. Company Labour Card issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) This card, also known as the Company Labour Card, allows you to hire employees and issue their work visas. According to Jovelyn Legaria, Executive Assistant at Perfect Plus Business Services: "The Establishment Card is a prerequisite for issuing the Company Labour Card, and without it, you cannot start the hiring and employee visa processes." Steps to Obtain the Establishment Card in the UAE: Step 1: Register for a Trade Licence The first step in establishing a company is to obtain a trade licence from the relevant emirate's economic department. For example, in Dubai, this licence is issued by the DED. Step 2: Apply for the Establishment Card from the ICP After receiving the trade licence, you must apply for the Establishment Card from the ICP. Mohammad Zahed, a company registration expert, states: "You can apply through GDRFA or official centers, but usually, this process is handled by typing centers or public relations staff." Required Documents for Registration: - Company trade licence - Emirates ID of the company owner and shareholders - Copy of the passport and residency visa of the company owners (if foreign) - Company Articles of Association Legaria explains: "The Establishment Card creates the company's immigration profile, and only after its issuance can you proceed to apply for the Company Labour Card." Step 3: Register for the Company Labour Card After receiving the Establishment Card from the ICP, you can apply for the Company Labour Card. This can be done by the company owner or a public relations officer. Required Documents: - Copy of the trade licence - Copy of Ejari - ICP Establishment Card - Copy of the passport and residency visa of all partners - Copy of the Emirates ID of partners - Passport-sized photo with a white background - Electronic signature card (eSignature) - Contact details and company address Online Registration: Visit the website mohre.gov.ae and log in with UAE Pass. Enter the company information, including licence number, name, legal type, area of activity, address, and contact information. The information of the owner or partners must match the ICP Establishment Card. Upload the required documents. Pay the registration fee and finalize the registration. The Ministry of Human Resources will approve the registration. If all conditions are met, the Company Labour Card will be issued within 3 to 5 working days. Cost of Obtaining the Cards The cost of issuing the Establishment Card and the Company Labour Card ranges from 800 to 1000 AED. Conclusion The Establishment Card in the UAE is a fundamental document for the legal identification of a company, and without it, you cannot proceed with hiring employees and issuing work visas. This card is issued by the ICP and is a prerequisite for obtaining the Company Labour Card, which is provided by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). To obtain these cards, you must first receive your Trade Licence and prepare the identity documents and Articles of Association of the company. Registration can be done online or through official centers, and card issuance usually takes 3 to 5 working days. The approximate cost for issuing both cards is between 800 to 1000 AED. Having these cards allows company owners to legally and officially hire employees and issue work visas, making interactions with various departments easier.