UAE Government Services Directory
Your Quick Reference to Key Government Authorities
Navigating the various government departments in the UAE can be challenging, especially for newcomers. This directory provides a quick reference to the key federal and emirate-level authorities that businesses and residents commonly interact with. T4ME’s PRO services can handle your interactions with all of these departments on your behalf.
Federal Government Authorities
| Authority | Abbreviation | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation | MOHRE | Labour regulations, work permits, employment contracts, WPS. |
| Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security | ICP | Emirates ID, citizenship, passports, border control. |
| General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs | GDRFA | Residence visas, entry permits, visa renewals and cancellations. |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | MOFA | Document attestation, diplomatic relations. |
| Federal Tax Authority | FTA | VAT, Corporate Tax, Excise Tax registration and compliance. |
| Ministry of Economy | MOE | Trademarks, patents, commercial agencies, anti-dumping. |
| Ministry of Justice | MOJ | Legal translation certification, notary public services. |
| Federal Customs Authority | FCA | Customs regulations, import/export codes. |
Dubai Government Authorities
| Authority | Abbreviation | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Economy and Tourism | DET | Mainland trade licenses, business registration in Dubai. |
| Dubai Customs | - | Import/export, customs clearance in Dubai. |
| Dubai Municipality | DM | Building permits, health permits, signage, environmental compliance. |
| Dubai Land Department | DLD | Property registration, real estate transactions. |
| Dubai Courts | - | Legal disputes, notarization, insolvency certificates. |
| Dubai Police | - | Police clearance certificates, traffic fines. |
| Roads and Transport Authority | RTA | Vehicle registration, driving licenses, public transport. |
Abu Dhabi Government Authorities
| Authority | Abbreviation | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development | ADDED | Mainland trade licenses in Abu Dhabi. |
| Abu Dhabi Customs | - | Import/export, customs clearance in Abu Dhabi. |
| Department of Municipalities and Transport | DMT | Building permits, municipal services in Abu Dhabi. |
| Abu Dhabi Judicial Department | ADJD | Legal disputes, notarization in Abu Dhabi. |
Other Emirates
Each of the other emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain) has its own Department of Economic Development for Mainland licensing and local municipal authorities.
Free Zone Authorities
Each Free Zone has its own authority responsible for licensing, visas, and compliance within that zone. Examples include: – DMCC Authority – JAFZA Authority – DIFC Authority – ADGM Registration Authority – RAKEZ Authority – Sharjah Media City (Shams) Authority
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