Who is eligible to register a commercial agency in the UAE?

Only UAE nationals or companies that are 100% owned by UAE nationals are eligible to register a commercial agency. The national agent must also hold a valid trade licence that authorises the relevant commercial activities.

Is commercial agency registration mandatory for exclusive distribution in the UAE?

Yes. Registration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is required for exclusive distribution, representation, or agency rights to be legally recognised and enforceable under UAE commercial agency law.

How long does commercial agency registration take?

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism typically processes commercial agency registrations within five working days, provided all documents are complete and compliant.

Can a foreign company register as a commercial agent in the UAE?

No. Only UAE nationals or companies wholly owned by UAE nationals may be registered as commercial agents. Foreign companies may act as principals but cannot register as agents.

Does the agency contract need to be attested before submission?

Yes. The agency, distribution, or representation contract must be certified by the competent authorities and legally translated into Arabic if drafted in another language. The Ministry will not accept unverified contracts.

What rights does the Commercial Agency Registration Certificate provide?

The certificate confirms that the national agent is officially recognised as the exclusive representative of the foreign principal. It enables enforcement of exclusivity, import rights, and statutory protections under UAE commercial agency regulations.

Can the Ministry reject a commercial agency registration application?

Yes. Applications may be rejected if the agency contract lacks required clauses, the national ownership requirement is not met, the contract is not attested correctly, or documents do not comply with Ministry standards. Corrections or re-submission may be required.

Commercial Agency Registration in the UAE – Register Exclusive Agency with the Ministry of Economy

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Commercial Agency Registration Services in the UAE

EGSH assists national companies and institutions with the complete commercial agency registration process in the UAE, ensuring full compliance with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET) requirements.

Through EGSH, clients can prepare and verify their commercial agency or distribution agreements, submit the required documentation, and complete the official registration to obtain the Commercial Agency Registration Certificate.

Why EGSH:

Authorised centre fully integrated with the MOET
One-visit submission with complete procedural guidance
VIP, queue-free service
Transparent, government-regulated fees

Commercial agency registrations are typically processed within five working days, and the certificate is issued after the Ministry approves the application and completes its verification procedures.

Register Your Exclusive Commercial Agency Through EGSH

Visit EGSH

Visit our centre during working hours or book your appointment online. Our consultant reviews your documents and confirms your eligibility for commercial agency registration.

Provide the Documents

Provide the attested commercial agency or distribution contract, valid trade licence, application form, and identification documents of the national agent or authorised signatory.

Submit the Application

We submit your application through the MOET’s official system. Once the request is approved, the prescribed government fees are settled through authorised payment channels.

Receive the Certificate

Upon completion, the Ministry issues the official Commercial Agency Registration Certificate, confirming that the agency is recorded in the UAE’s commercial agencies register.

Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues

You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm; 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

Application & Trade Licence

A MOET commercial agency registration application form and a valid trade licence for the UAE national company (100% UAE-owned).

Agency/ Distribution Contract

An attested agency, distribution, or exclusive representation contract and a certified Arabic translation if the contract is in a foreign language.

Identification Documents

An Emirates ID of the national agent, owner, or authorised signatory and an approved signature specimen.

Supporting Legal Documents

Any required contract attestations or certifications, and other additional documents requested by MOET for verification.

Take a 3D Tour of EGSH

VIP Service

Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.

Affordable Fees

Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.

All Services in One Place

Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.

One-Visit Completion

Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.

What Is a Commercial Agency Registration in the UAE

A commercial agency registration is an official procedure carried out through the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to record an Emirati-owned company or establishment as the exclusive commercial agent of a foreign principal in the UAE.

Once registered, the agency is entered into the UAE’s Commercial Agencies Register, granting the national agent the legal right to import, distribute, market, or represent the specified products or services within the agreed territory.

Only UAE nationals or companies that are 100% owned by UAE nationals may act as registered commercial agents. The underlying agency or distribution contract must be duly attested, translated into Arabic where required, and comply with the statutory conditions governing exclusivity, geographic scope, product listing, and contract duration.

A successfully registered agency receives an official Commercial Agency Registration Certificate, which confirms the agent’s legal status and enables enforcement of contractual rights under UAE commercial agency law.

When Commercial Agency Registration Is Required

Commercial agency registration is required when a foreign manufacturer or service provider appoints a UAE national or a UAE-owned company as its exclusive agent to import, distribute, market, or represent its products or services within the UAE. Registration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is mandatory for the agent to obtain official recognition and the statutory protections granted under UAE commercial agency law.

Registration is typically required in the following situations:

Exclusive Distribution Arrangements

When a foreign principal grants a UAE national agent exclusive rights to distribute or sell products within a defined territory of the UAE.

Representation and Service Agreements

When a UAE national company is authorised to act on behalf of a foreign principal for marketing, sales, technical services, or after-sales support.

Importation and Commercial Product Registration

When the agent is responsible for importing goods into the UAE, and requires official registration to complete regulatory, customs, or product-related procedures.

Enforcement of Contractual Rights

Registration is necessary for the agent to benefit from statutory protections, including the right to prevent parallel imports, enforce exclusivity, and seek remedies in case of termination or breach.

Without registration, the agency relationship does not receive legal protection under UAE commercial agency regulations, and the agent cannot enforce exclusive rights before the competent authorities.

Conditions for Registering a Commercial Agency

Commercial agency registration is subject to specific legal conditions set by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. These conditions ensure that only eligible national entities act as exclusive agents and that agency contracts meet the formal requirements of UAE commercial agency regulations.

UAE National Ownership Requirement

Only UAE nationals, or companies that are 100% owned by UAE nationals, are permitted to register as commercial agents. The national agent must hold a valid trade licence reflecting authorised commercial activities.

Exclusive Agency Requirement

The agency or distribution agreement must grant exclusivity within the UAE or a clearly defined territory. Non-exclusive arrangements cannot be registered under the UAE Commercial Agencies Register.

Mandatory Contract Requirements
The competent authorities must attest the agency contract and, if drafted in a foreign language, be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation. It must include:

Full details of both parties
Domicile and legal status
Scope and geographic limits of exclusivity
Products, services, and commercial names
Contract term and renewal conditions
Clear approval for registration
Required attestations and certifications

Approved Signatory and Identity Verification
The owner or authorised signatory of the national company must have an approved signature specimen, and a valid Emirates ID must be provided for verification.

Meeting these conditions is essential for the Ministry to accept the application and issue the Commercial Agency Registration Certificate.

H2 – How the Ministry Processes Commercial Agency Registration

Commercial agency registration is completed through the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s regulated workflow, which ensures that agency contracts and applicant details meet all statutory requirements under UAE commercial agency law.

Digital Submission Through the MOET System
All applications are submitted electronically via the Ministry’s online portal or smart app. EGSH prepares and enters the required information to ensure accurate and compliant submission.
Eligibility Verification of the National Agent
The Ministry confirms that the applicant is a UAE national or a company wholly owned by UAE nationals, and that the trade licence authorises the relevant commercial activities.
Review of the Agency or Distribution Contract
The Ministry examines the attested contract to verify exclusivity, correct structure, certified Arabic translation (if applicable), and full compliance with documentation rules. Any missing or incorrect details must be corrected before approval.

Fee Payment and Final Audit

Once the request is accepted, government fees are paid through authorised channels. The Ministry then performs a final audit to ensure all requirements have been fully met.

Issuance of the Commercial Agency Registration Certificate

Upon approval, the Ministry issues the official certificate confirming that the agency has been entered into the UAE Commercial Agencies Register. This certificate grants the national agent the legal rights and protections available under UAE commercial agency regulations.

Official Fees for Commercial Agency Registration in the UAE

Commercial agency registration fees are applied directly by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and must be settled through the Ministry’s approved electronic payment channels.

Registration Fee: AED 7,500

This fee is charged for processing and issuing the Commercial Agency Registration Certificate and for entering the agency into the official Commercial Agencies Register.

Additional Costs (If Applicable)

Attestation fees for agency or distribution contracts
Certified Arabic translation fees for foreign-language documents
Notary and legal authentication fees are required before submission

All fees are government-regulated. EGSH provides a full breakdown of the applicable charges and ensures that payments are completed in accordance with Ministry procedures.

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

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Shaimaa Sayed Qasem

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

Shaimaa Sayed Qasem is a dedicated service provider at the Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH, with seven years of experience delivering business services, supporting clients and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Agency Registration in the UAE

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