#RUWAD

1.    Are non-locals allowed to issue a license?
“Eitimad” domestic license can be granted to UAE nationals residing in the Emirate of Sharjah only.

2.    Is it permissible for “Eitimad” license owners to work in all Emirates?
Yes, they are allowed to work in all other Emirates.

3.    Can “Eitimad” license owners bring labors?
No, they are not allowed to bring labors. 

4.    Can “Eitimad” license be expired? 
The duration of the license is one year and is renewable. There are fines in case of non-renewal within one month from the expiry date (AED 200).

5.    Is “Eitimad” license permitted only for one gender or both genders?
It is permitted for both genders (Males & Females). 

6.    Is there any fees required for “Eitimad” license?
There is AED 1200 to issue the license and AED 1000 for annual renewal.
A 50% discount is provided for social assistance beneficiaries upon issuance or renewal of license. 

7. Is it necessary to be a residence in the Emirate of Sharjah to obtain a license?
Yes, it is a condition of issuing a license to be a residence in the Emirate of Sharjah. The approval of the property owner (ownership or lease) is also required.

8.    Is there a specific age to issue “Eitimad” license?
Yes, the applicant must not be less than 18 years old while the minors should bring a no objection letter from the court.  

9.    Are food activities permitted in “Eitimad” license?
- it is allowed after the completion of all the requirements of Sharjah City Municipality.
- Site Inspection.
- Issuing a health card.
- Attend the training course in Sharjah City Municipality.
- Pay the Public Health Administration fees of AED 880.

10.    What are the required documents?
- License Form.
- Passport.
- Emirates ID. 
- Title deed – Map. 
- No Objection Letter from landlord. 
- Copy of lease contract if site is rented and no objection letter from lessor. 
The customer can issue or renew an “Eitimad” license through SEDD main branch, website, or through “Tas’heel” service centers.

11.    Is the individual allowed to issue more than one license at the same site?
The individual is allowed to have more than one license in the same location (Determined according to the type of activity required).

12. Are GCC citizens allowed to issue “Eitimad” license?
It is under consideration.

13. Is there a charge to cancel “Eitimad” license?
Cancellation fees is AED 570.
 
14. Can “Eitimad” license be renewed electronically?
Yes, renewal can be done via SEDD website.
https://eitimad.sedd.gov.ae/

15. Does “Eitimad” license have a special website?
https://eitimad.sedd.gov.ae/
 
16. Will I be subjected to any legal accountabilities if I practice an unlicensed activity?
Yes, the license will be subjected to an "illegal sale" violation. Also, the owner of license will be subjected to closure by SEDD in case of repeating the violation.
- In the event that the project is not licensed, the owner is subjected to a legal breach and the electronic account will be closed by the Department as well as Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). 
 -Also, there is a high possibility of losing customers of this project.
-Since the project is not registered, another person can reserve his or her trade name and activity.
-The project also infringes upon its intellectual rights.

17. Am I allowed to open a bank account through “Eitimad” license?
Yes, it is allowed, according to the requirements of the financial institution.

18. Is it allowed to request financial loans through “Eitimad” license?
It is subject to the requirements of the financial institution, and the matter is up to the financial institution in which the bank account was offered for this license.

19. Does the Department organize workshops or events in the commercial sector? 
Yes, the Department organizes workshops and events in the commercial sector to support commercial projects and the entrepreneurship sector.
 

* What are the targeted sectors in the industrial sector?
1. Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment manufacturing.
2. Building materials industry.
 3. Manufacture of chemicals, plastics and rubber.
4. Agriculture and food.
5. Machinery and equipment.

* What is SEDD’s role in supporting the industrial sector?
1. Developing industries and identifying investment as well as industrial opportunities.
2. Raising awareness and developing industrial policies to stop violating practices.
3. studying industrial indicators to provide a successful industrial environment.
4. Participating in industrial investment forums to promote industries.
5. Conducting periodic field visits to factories.
6. Building a database for the industrial sector.

* Can investors or customers refer to SEDD in case of facing any challenges at such sector?
Yes, they may refer to SEDD at anytime whereby the Department writes down such observations and obstacles, and then raise them to take the necessary action.

* Does SEDD provide any workshops or events related to the industrial sector?
Yes, the Department organizes many workshops and events related to the industrial sector in order to spread awareness.

* What is an industrial office license?
An office license for an industrial facility can be obtained before establishing or running the factory or after it. This license aims at obtaining facilities and benefits from the relevant authorities in the emirate and includes many services, such as a meeting hall and offices for management (finance - human resources - research and development...).

* What are the services of the Industrial Affairs Department?
The Industrial Affairs Department provides a package of services, the most important of which are:
-    E-magazine: An electronic publication that aims to promote the industrial facility and its products and is issued every six months.
-    Request for support/consultation: This service aims at providing support to the industrial facility and overcoming obstacles in addition to providing consulting services (industrial/economic/legal) with the aim of developing the industrial sector.
-    Promotional tours: A field visit that aims to promote the industrial facility in the emirate by preparing a video clip for the facility and promoting it through the department’s social media sites.

* What are the procedures for issuing an industrial license?
Customer Journey (Link)
 

1. What are the procedures for amending a trade name or changing an activity?
• Licensing Form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers (Document). 
• Initial approval from Trade Names Section - Visit Tasheel service centers, or the Department (Procedure). 
• Visiting the Commercial Legal Affairs Department to take the necessary preocedures to amend the trade name (Procedure).
• Advertising in a daily local newspaper for 7 days (Procedure). 

2. What are the procedures to cancel a commercial license?
• License form - Can be obtained through SEDD website
• Cancellation of the establishment card - Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• Advertising in a daily local newspaper for 7 days - Visit SEDD branch or website. 

3. How to modify license in the event of service agent death?
• License form - Can be obtained through SEDD website.
• Death certificate
• Initial approval of Trade Names Section to add new service agent -Visit Tasheel service centers or SEDD branch 
• Approval of service agent contract between the license holder and the new service agent -Visit SEDD branch or website 

4. What are the procedures for opening a foreign company branch and branches of free zones in the country? 
Required documents to complete procedures:  
• License and register of foreign company
• Foreign company memorandum of association and attachments, if any. 
• Minutes of meeting for partners or board of directors to approve the opening of the branch.
• Approved agency contract between the foreign company and the local agent.
• Power of Attorney (authorization) for representative of the foreign company.
• Registration in foreign companies register of the Ministry of Economy.
• No objection letter from the Department of Free Zones to open the branch in the Emirate.
If the required documents are issued in another country, they must be attested by UAE Embassy or UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a certified legal translator.

5. What are the procedures for registering a local branch company? 
• Certified minutes of meeting – from SEDD.
• Approved Memorandum of Association for the main company with attachments (if any) – from SEDD.
• Copy main company license
• Register (if any)

6. What are the commercial mortgage procedures? 
• License form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers. 
• Letter from the company to register the mortgage in the register
• Approved mortgage from concerned entity.
• Mortgage registration fee is AED 1,500.

7. What are the procedures for liquefying companies (both a limited liability company and a sole proprietorship company)
• License form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD website. 
• Letter from the auditor to accept the liquidation.
• Approved Minutes of meeting from partners to liquid the company – from SEDD.
• Cancellation of establishment card - Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
• Advertising in a daily local newspaper for 45 days - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers.

8. Can non-UAE nationals or GCC nationals to own an sole proprietorship institution?
• The commercial or industrial sole proprietorship company may be owned by UAE nationals or GCC nationals only.

9. Is it possible to open an unlimited number of branches of the company to be identical to the main license? Also, can the activities of branches be less than that of the main license?
• An unlimited number of branches can be opened to the company but should be identical to the main license. Likely, the activities of branches can be less than that of the main license.

10. Can the branches of limited liability companies be sold to any party or company? Also, can their legal status be amended?  
The branches of limited liability companies may be sold and given to any party or company and their legal status may be amended according to the procedures of the Department. Therefore, the following documents are required:
• License form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers.
• Approved contract of sale and waiver by concerned party. 
• Approved Memorandum of Association – from Legal Affairs Department at SEDD.
 • Approved Minutes of meeting to separate branch from main company  
• Advertising in a daily local newspaper for 7 days

11. What are the procedures for the entry of heirs’ representative?
•Death certificate - Preventive Medical Centers
• Inventory of inheritance - Sharjah Court
• Approved agencies - Sharjah Court

12. Can the license be frozen and what are the procedures for freezing the license?
Yes, license can be frozen, and the following are required:
• License form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers.
 • Ensure that the establishment still conducts its previous activity in the licensing system. 
• The date of license issuance should be more than two consecutive years in the licensing system.
• There should be no dispute over the establishment before any judicial body or any other matter.

13. Can a commercial license be renewed if it has judicial restrictions?
• Renewal can be done without amendment until there is no objection to such thing.
14. What are the circumstances in which a license can be canceled in the absence of a partner?
If the license expires more than 5 years, it is administratively canceled. Therefore, the required documents are:
• License form - The license form can be obtained via SEDD branch or website (e-services), or by visiting Tasheel service centers.
• Cancellation of establishment card - Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

1.    What are the required procedures and documents for licensing?
Limited liability, general partnership, and limited partnership companies.

License Issuance: 
-    Trade Name certificate.
-    Copy of passport and ID (local investor).
-     Copy of passport and ID (foreign investor), if required. 
-    Approval from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. 
-    No objection letter (foreign investor) who works in any governmental or federal entity in the Emirate of Sharjah.
-    Permission for minors (under 18) to carry out business from the court, if required. 
-    Technical evaluation report (Commercial Control Section).
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 
-    Presence of concerned ones or their legal representatives.

License Renewal: 
-    Copy of passport and ID for investors, if required. 
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 

What are the required documents and procedures for licensing?
Sole Proprietorship (Service Agent)
License Issuance: 
-    Trade Name certificate.
-    Copy of passport and ID (local investor).
-     Copy of passport and ID (foreign investor), if required. 
-    Approval from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. 
-    No objection letter (foreign investor) who works in any governmental or federal entity in the Emirate of Sharjah.
-    Permission for minors (under 18) to carry out business from the court, if required. 
-    Technical evaluation report (Commercial Control Section).
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 
-    Presence of concerned ones or their legal representatives.

License Renewal: 
-    Copy of passport and ID for investors, if required. 
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 

What are the required documents and procedures for licensing?
Sole Proprietorship 
License Issuance: 
-    Trade Name certificate.
-    Copy of passport and ID (local investor).
-     Copy of passport and ID (foreign investor), if required. 
-    Approval from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. 
-    No objection letter (foreign investor) who works in any governmental or federal entity in the Emirate of Sharjah.
-    Permission for minors (under 18) to carry out business from the court, if required. 
-    Technical evaluation report (Commercial Control Section).
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 

License Renewal: 
-    Copy of passport and ID for investors, if required. 
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 

License Issuance and Renewal Fees: 
All UAE National Partners:
Issuing and renewing license: 8% of the lease / site area / depending on activity
Partners of other nationalities:
Issuing and renewing license: 13% of the lease / site area / depending on activity
License Amendment Fees:
-    Register amendment: AED 500/1000/1500/2000 (depending on legal status)
-    Printing: AED 300 
-    Adding activity: AED 300 (per activity)
-    Technical evaluation: AED 150
-    Adding partner / service agent: AED 500 (per partner)
-    Removing Partner / service agent: AED 500 (per partner)
-    Billboard: AED 200
Fees for other government entities related to the license will be charged.
Additional fees are charged for the activities (general trade, contracting, engineering consultancy, and real estate).

License Cancellation Procedures and Fees:
Required Documents: 
-    Letter of cancellation of the establishment card from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
-    Cancellation declaration fee: AED 350
-    Commercial registration clearance fee: AED 500 for expired license of less than one year
-    AED 1,000 for a license expired for one or two years
-    AED 1500 for a license expired for more than two years and more
25% of the total fees due for the license are paid in addition to the delay penalties , with a maximum of AED 3,000 per license.

Trade Name Issuance:
License form and visit “Tasheel” service centers for initial approval of trade name.

Required Documents:
-    Investor registration form. 
-    Copy of passport and ID (local investor).
-     Copy of passport and ID (foreign investor), if required. 
-    Approval from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. 
-    No objection letter (foreign investor) who works in any governmental or federal entity in the Emirate of Sharjah.
-    Permission for minors (under 18) to carry out business from the court, if required. 
-    Certified copy of lease contract and title deed, if required. 
-    Official entities approvals according to commercial activities, if any. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Permits Section
1. What is the cost of the permit and its monthly or annual fees?
Monthly and annual fees are calculated by the number of months selected for the declaration.

2. What documents are required in each permit?
•    Campaign request in Arabic.
•    Advertising materials in Arabic.
•    Copy of the establishment valid license.
•    The approvals of the concerned parties depending on permit type.

What is the duration of the permits?
The duration of the permit and the extension of the permit shall be clarified according to the type of permit.

• Questions about signboards:
3. What are the specifications and measurements for designing signboards?
First: Required Documents:
•    Signboard permit form.
•    Certificate of trademark registration issued by the Ministry of Economy.
•    Signboard design.
•    Copy of valid license

Second: Signboard Terms and Conditions:
•    The trade name in the signboard should be identical to the one in license.
•    Trade name font size should be 60% in Arabic and 40% in English of the signboard’s total area and the design should follow the one approved by the Department.
•    The height of the signboard must not exceed four feet and it can be allowed but with the conditions that the signboard should be consistent in it measurements to the nearby signboards of other stores in the same building or nearby buildings, taking into account the suitability of the structural and architectural form of the building.
•    No objection letter and copy of trademark certificate from the Ministry of Economy and copy of trademark license from the owner of the brand in cases of adding a logo of other institutions or companies.
•    Trademark should be placed in signboard with the same features that exists in the certificate issued by the Ministry of Economy (Trademark Certificate).
•     The company executing signboard should holds a license issued form Sharjah.
•     Damage or infringement of near stores signboard is forbidden.
•    The signboard should cover the entire area of the shop.
•     Putting logos, religious symbols or countries flags on signboards is not allowed and the sign must not be incompatible with the provisions of Islamic laws and values, customs and traditions of the society, public morals or regulation.
•    To obtain signboard permit, referring to the approved calligrapher by SEDD is a must and it can be submitted through e-service.  

Inquiry about using trademark: 
•    A valid trademark registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Economy
•    When adding an image that contains the logo of other institutions or companies, a no objection letter, a copy of the trademark certificate issued by the Ministry of Economy, and a copy of the commercial license that owns the trademark is a must. 

4. What is the value of the main and additional signboard fees?
•    The signboard fee is calculated based on the content in terms of logo, background color and height as well as the additional panel, screen and electronic display.

5. What is involved in issuing signboard?
(Sharjah Economic Development Department or Sharjah City Municipality - External Advertising Section).
•    When issuing billboards permit, it is found that some of the signboards are issued by Sharjah City Municipality of, and not from Sharjah Economic Development Department. Likely, the source for issuance is determined by locating the signboard. Therefore, the Municipality is concerned about issuing signboards above the level of the shop or above buildings and external columns.