In short
An establishment card (the immigration card) registers your company with GDRFA Dubai or ICP so it can sponsor visas for its staff. In Dubai, GDRFA charges AED 200 plus 5% VAT, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and an AED 50 service fee to issue or renew it, and lists 48 hours; an amendment is AED 100 plus the same extras. The PRO card (representative's card) needs a company letter and a police clearance, and we confirm its current fee before applying.
What the establishment card and PRO card are
The establishment card is your company's immigration file. It carries the trade name, licence number, partners and activity, and every entry permit or residence visa the company sponsors is issued under it. Dubai mainland companies hold it with GDRFA, ICP issues it in the other emirates, and free zone companies apply through their free zone authority. The PRO card is for a person: one named employee who submits the company's transactions. GDRFA issues it for immigration; MOHRE issues its own for labour matters.
Establishment card and PRO card requirements
| Service | What you need and the official fee |
|---|---|
| New card, Dubai (GDRFA) | Partners' names appendix, signatories' passports, notarised authorisation for a manager. AED 200 + 5% VAT + AED 10 + AED 10 + AED 50; urgent AED 100; Amer adds AED 100 |
| Renewal, Dubai (GDRFA) | Same documents and fee (GDRFA notes AED 100 per year) |
| Amendment, Dubai (GDRFA) | Valid trade licence. AED 100 + 5% VAT + AED 10 + AED 10 + AED 50 |
| New card, other emirates (ICP) | Trade licence, signature authorisation, MoA for partnerships, a signatory's Emirates ID. AED 100 + AED 100 per year + AED 100 smart services + AED 2,000 system subscription |
| Renewal (ICP) | Valid licence, fines paid. AED 100 + AED 100 per year + AED 1,000 subscription + AED 100 smart services |
| Amendment (ICP) | Trade licence; preliminary approval for a new partner or activity. AED 200 + AED 100 smart services |
| PRO card (GDRFA) | Company letter and police clearance certificate; the PRO's residence must be on the same company. We confirm current fees |
| PRO card (MOHRE) | Work permit with the company, police clearance, photo. Free online; service centres charge up to AED 72 + AED 40 |
How we handle it, step by step
- Free check. Send the trade licence and signatories' passports on WhatsApp; we confirm whether GDRFA, ICP or your free zone holds the file.
- Documents. We prepare the partners' appendix and the signature authorisations.
- Application. We submit the new card, renewal or amendment online or at an Amer centre and pay the government fees.
- PRO card. Once the establishment card is active, we apply for the representative's card for the employee you nominate.
- Reminders. We note the expiry date, because a late establishment card is fined every month.
Establishment card timeline
| Stage | When it happens |
|---|---|
| GDRFA new card, renewal or amendment | 48 hours once the file is complete |
| ICP new card, renewal or amendment | 2 days |
| GDRFA PRO card | 48 hours |
| MOHRE PRO card | 2 working days |
| Late renewal | GDRFA warns of an AED 100 fine each month; ICP charges AED 100 a month after 30 days, up to AED 1,000 |
New company? The order is business setup, the establishment card, then quota approval for staff visas; keep the licence current with license renewal. Absconding staff and fines are covered on overstay fines, and ongoing paperwork under PRO services.
Official sources: GDRFA Dubai: establishment card · GDRFA: renewal · GDRFA: amendment · GDRFA: representative's card · ICP: issuing an establishment card · ICP: renewal · ICP: amendment · MOHRE: PRO card
Ready to start? Send your documents on WhatsApp to +971 52 505 3494. We check them before anything is submitted, and the first consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
What is an establishment card in the UAE?
It is the company's immigration file. It holds the trade name, licence number, partners and activity, and the company needs it to sponsor entry permits and residence visas for its staff.
How much does an establishment card cost in Dubai?
GDRFA lists AED 200 plus 5% VAT, AED 10 Knowledge Dirham, AED 10 Innovation Dirham and an AED 50 service fee for a new card or a renewal; urgent service and Amer centres each add AED 100.
How long does it take?
48 hours at GDRFA Dubai and 2 days at ICP once the file is complete.
What happens if the establishment card expires?
GDRFA warns of an AED 100 fine for every month it is not renewed. ICP charges AED 100 a month once it is more than 30 days late, up to AED 1,000, and the company's fines must be paid before renewal.
When do I need an amendment?
When the trade name, ownership or partners change. ICP fines AED 1,000 for changing details without notifying it.
What is a PRO card and who can hold one?
The representative's card for the employee who submits the company's transactions. The PRO's residence must be on the same company, and under MOHRE rules an expatriate PRO can hold one card, for an owner with fewer than 100 workers.
How much is the PRO card?
MOHRE's PRO card is free on its website and app. GDRFA's service card lists only collection and Amer charges, so we confirm the current fee before applying.