Animated illustration of a businessman checking a DED license using a magnifying glass with a laptop search screen and Dubai skyline in the background.

The procedure of verifying the DED license emerges as an absolute requirement for all residents, employees, and business startup entrepreneurs of the United Arab Emirates. The validation of DED license information is one of the crucial procedures, which refers to the business founders and independent contractors, as well as to the individuals who have to verify the business’s legitimacy.

The following guide presents each possible way to verify DED license information in the UAE while providing step-by-step instructions and useful advice.

What is a DED License

The commercial DED License is distributed by the Department of Economic Development, which operates separately within each Emirate of the UAE. Individuals or companies authorized by the Department of Economic Development receive this license to establish reputable businesses in their designated Emirate.

There exist multiple types of DED licenses:

Commercial License – for trading businesses
Professional License – for service-based companies
Industrial License – for manufacturing activities

How to Check DED License Details in Dubai

Step 1: Visit the DED eServices Website

Open your web browser, then access the official DED eServices portal through its website: https://eservices.dubaided.gov.ae

Step 2: Navigate to the “Search License Information” Section

The first step should be to find the “Enquiries” section on the homepage.
Click on Search License Information.

Step 3: Enter Search Criteria

You can search using two options:
- Trade Name
- License Number
Business owners should enter their official trade name or their license number in the provided text field.
Check that all entered data is accurate.

Step 4: Review the Results

Your submission triggers the system to retrieve the requested license data from its database.
You will see:
- License Number
- Trade Name (in English and Arabic)
Official business verification is provided through registration.

How to Check DED License in Abu Dhabi

TAMM functions as the government platform in Abu Dhabi since this region does not implement Dubai’s DED system.

Step 1: Visit the TAMM Portal

Go to: https://www.tamm.abudhabi

Step 2: Go to the Business Section

Choose Business from the homepage.
Trade License Verification appears on the screen through search or scrolling functionality.

Step 3: Enter Search Information

Input the following details:
- License Number
- Name of Business
These fields enable you to retrieve a specific license for verification purposes.

Step 4: Check the License Details

The results will include:
- License Status (Active/Expired)
- Issue Date and Expiry Date
- Business Activities
- Registered Address
This information provides you with a full understanding of the business operations.

How to Check DED License in Sharjah

The entity you need to work with in Sharjah is SEDD – Sharjah Economic Development Department.

Step 1: Visit the SEDD Website

Open: https://sedd.ae
This official website provides economic services for the entire Sharjah area.

Step 2: Access E-Services

Choose E-Services when viewing the homepage.
Then look for License Inquiry.

Step 3: Input License Information

You can enter either:
- Trade Name
- License Number
Fill in the required details out the provided form.

Step 4: View License Details

Pressing the search button lets you view the following information:
- License Type
- Status (Valid/Expired)
- Activities Listed
- Legal Entity Type
The subsequent section presents a complete company overview.

How to Check DED License in Ajman

The DED portal operated by Ajman functions as a simple and friendly platform.

Step 1: Visit the Ajman DED Website

Go to: https://ajmanded.ae
This is Ajman’s official platform for business and economic services.

Step 2: Navigate to Services

Navigate to Services by selecting the option from the homepage.
Find the option License Verification.

Step 3: Enter the Required Information

Use one of the following:
- License Number
- Business Name

Step 4: Get the License Status

After clicking the search button, the system presents the following information:
- License Status (Active/Expired)
- Company Name
- Registered Activities
- Type of License
The process is easy, and your requirements appear within seconds of your request.

What Details Can You Access?

A DED license check allows users to view each of the following details:

License Number
Company Trade Name
License Status (Active, Cancelled, Expired)
Business Activity Type
Legal Form (LLC, Partnership, etc.)
Owner or Partner Name
Issue and Expiry Dates
Registered Address

Common Scenarios for Using DED License Check

For Customers

Customers tend to verify the legitimacy of businesses. Consumers need this information most urgently during their dealings with internet stores, as well as freelancers and businesses with minimal operational history.

For Investors and Partners

Investors must verify license information to confirm both the credibility and business scope of companies before joint venture or investment activities.

For Government Documentation

The verification of licensing information is mandatory through government departments when immigrants or workers are under evaluation for visas, labor authorization, or immigration requirements.

Tips for Effective Use of DED License Checker

Check the exact spelling of business names while using search functions.
When available, ensure to use the license number for the most precise search result.
Save and download the information page from the website if you require proof of license details.
Online notification systems on the DED portal and application enable users to set automatic license renewal alerts and prevent emergency renewals.

Dubai Licence Checks Now Go Through DET

One thing to know when checking a Dubai licence is that the authority is now called Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET). According to a Khaleej Times explainer on Dubai trade licences (published March 2025), DET is the issuing authority for trade licences that let owners legally conduct business in the emirate. If you search for “DED” you may still find older pages, but the checking steps are similar.

How the verification works

Go to the DET website and select e-services, then licence information.
Search by the company’s English or Arabic name, or by its licence number.
The company profile shows licence status, expiry date, legal type, contact details, business activities and, where available, a physical address.

If the expiry date has passed, or the activities do not match what the business is selling to you, ask the business to explain before paying.

Licence types you may see

Normal licence: requires a Memorandum of Association and a site lease contract, and other government approvals may be needed.
Instant licence: for activities that need no external approvals, reportedly issued within five minutes.
eTrader licence: a sole establishment licence for home-based businesses that already have a trade name. The article says commercial activities such as trading are limited to UAE and GCC nationals, while some service-sector professional activities may be open to expats.

Fees quoted in that article

Item	Fee quoted
Initial approval	Dh120
Trade name booking	Dh620 (an English trade name adds Dh2,000)
eTrader licence	Dh1,370, varying by activity

Other licence fees depend on the activity and type, and the article gives no figures for them. Because it was published in March 2025, confirm current fees and steps with DET or the official Invest in Dubai portal. The article also does not state a validity period, so rely on the expiry date shown in the verification profile.

Read the full explainer at Khaleej Times: Dubai trade licence. For other emirates, use the economic department of that emirate, as the checking tools are separate. Official sites could not be fetched automatically, so this section relies on that report.

Practical tips when checking a business

Search by licence number when you have it, because trade names can be similar and the English and Arabic names may be spelled differently.
Compare the activities on the licence with what the business actually offers you. A valid licence for one activity does not cover another.
Take a screenshot or save the profile page with the date, in case you need to show what you checked later.
If a business refuses to share its licence number, treat that as a warning sign. You can also report consumer problems through the relevant consumer protection authority, and the official UAE government portal can point you to the right channel.

Related guides

Final Thoughts

Dubai DED serves under the UAE government to provide an online platform where business license information becomes both easy to access and entirely transparent. The DED eServices platform serves as the essential tool for business owners to manage their company standing and for customers to verify vendors.

You can safely and efficiently retrieve necessary information using the method presented above. Utilize every resource available to you, including the web portal, together with mobile applications and support helplines for both knowledge and adherence purposes.

How to Check a DED License Online in UAE (Fast & Free)

What is a DED License