With increasing trade activity across the UAE and the wider GCC region, relying on assumptions or outdated information is no longer an option. Whether you're onboarding a supplier, offering credit terms, or investing in a local business, thorough company due diligence in the UAE is essential to minimize risk and ensure compliance.
In a landscape defined by Free Zones, diverse regulations, and rapid economic growth, it's vital to verify business information before moving forward. This guide explains how to find business details online, check a company's license and registration, and access company credit reports in the UAE, using official records and trusted data platforms like Dun & Bradstreet (D&B).
How Can I Find Detailed Company Information in the UAE?
To find comprehensive company details in the UAE, start by identifying the type of information you need, such as business registration, financial history, legal status, ownership structure, or trade license validity. Key resources include:
- Dun & Bradstreet’s D-U-N-S® Number Lookup
Through the D&B company lookup, users can access verified business records including ownership details, credit scores, and trade performance across both local and international companies. - Government Registries and Free Zone Authorities
Platforms like the UAE Ministry of Economy, DED (Department of Economic Development), and Free Zone portals offer company name searches, trade license details, and registration status. - Chambers of Commerce
Local chambers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah maintain updated records of active businesses.
Each platform offers varying levels of depth, but for thorough company due diligence in the UAE, combining official records with third-party tools like D&B ensures higher data accuracy and greater risk visibility.
What is the Process to Verify a Company's Registration in the UAE?
To verify business information and confirm a company’s legal registration in the UAE, follow these steps:
- Identify the Licensing Jurisdiction: Determine whether the business operates in a mainland jurisdiction (like Dubai DED) or within a Free Zone (like DMCC, JAFZA, or ADGM).
- Use the Relevant Online Portal: Access the company search feature on the applicable authority’s website.
- Enter Company Name or License Number: Most registries allow you to search by trade name, license number, or DED activity code.
- Check License Status: Confirm the license is active and cross-verify details such as ownership type, commercial activity, and company type.
- Validate Additional Documents: When needed, request a copy of the trade license, Memorandum of Association (MOA), or Certificate of Incorporation.
For more detailed background or international linkages, D&B’s business verification platform offers a broader view, including corporate hierarchy, global presence, and financial reliability.
Where Can I Access Official Business Records of UAE Companies?
You can access official business records from the following sources:
- Department of Economic Development (DED): For mainland-registered companies in each emirate.
- Free Zone Authorities: Such as DMCC, RAKEZ, or Dubai Silicon Oasis for Free Zone businesses.
- Chambers of Commerce: Offers registration validation and basic trade activity information.
- UAE Ministry of Economy: For licensing, foreign ownership data, and national-level registrations.
- Dun & Bradstreet: Offers enhanced records including financial health, payment behavior, and international risk scores.
For cross-verification and a more complete view, use the D&B company lookup to complement these official sources.
How Do I Check a Company's Trade License Status in Dubai?
To check the trade license status of a company registered in Dubai:
- Visit the Dubai DED’s Business Verification Portal.
- Use the "Trade Name Search" or “License Status Inquiry” feature.
- Enter the company's name, license number, or owner’s name.
- Review details such as trade license validity, commercial activity, and legal structure.
For added assurance, especially in high-value deals, use D&B to cross-check the company’s creditworthiness, operational history, and ownership structure alongside their DED listing.
What Are the Steps to Perform Due Diligence on a UAE-Based Company?
Performing thorough company due diligence in the UAE involves more than just checking a trade license. Here’s a standard due diligence checklist:
- Verify Business Registration
- Check License Validity
- Review Financial Standing
- Analyze Ownership and Legal Structure
- Assess Reputation and Legal History
- Evaluate Operational Capacity
- Benchmark Competitor Standing
This comprehensive approach is critical for investors, lenders, suppliers, and business partners seeking transparency and risk protection in the UAE.
How to Obtain a Company's Credit Report in the UAE?
A company credit report in the UAE provides essential data such as:
- Credit rating and risk score
- Payment behavior and trade references
- Financial statements (when available)
- Legal disputes or insolvency indicators
- Ownership and management details
To obtain a report:
- Use Dun & Bradstreet’s business information services to access UAE-specific and international company credit profiles.
- Request directly via D&B’s UAE portal or contact their support team for a custom credit report based on your due diligence requirements.
Which Platforms Provide Comprehensive Company Data in the UAE?
- Dun & Bradstreet (D&B UAE)
- Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB)
- DED and Free Zone Registries
- Dubai Chamber & Abu Dhabi Chamber
- Private Sector Databases
For holistic risk assessment, D&B combines regional data with international records, making it ideal for companies engaged in cross-border trade, M&A, or financial vetting.
How Can I Verify the Legitimacy of a Business in Abu Dhabi?
Verifying a business in Abu Dhabi is a critical step for anyone entering into a financial agreement, partnership, or long-term commercial relationship. To ensure that a company is legitimate and compliant with local laws, start by checking its trade license and registration through the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
Here’s how:
- Visit the official Abu Dhabi DED portal.
- Use the “Business Activity Search” or “Trade Name Search” function.
- Input the company’s trade name or license number to retrieve public records.
- Review the results to confirm license validity, legal structure, permitted activities, and registration status.
For a more complete picture, especially when financial exposure is involved—go beyond basic verification. Use the D&B company lookup to access additional layers of insight, such as:
- Credit scores and risk ratings
- Trade payment behavior and history of defaults
- Ownership structure and beneficial ownership (UBO)
- International affiliations and corporate hierarchy
What Tools Are Available to Find Company Financial Information in the UAE?
- Dun & Bradstreet UAE
- Audited Financial Statements
- Etihad Credit Bureau
- Industry Benchmark Reports
Financial transparency is vital for evaluating credit risk, setting payment terms, or investing in a business. D&B’s company credit reports UAE are among the most trusted sources for such data.
How to Access the UAE Company Registry for Business Information?
There is no single unified registry in the UAE, but you can access UAE company information via:
- DED portals in each emirate (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)
- Free Zone portals (e.g., DMCC, RAKEZ, ADGM)
- Ministry of Economy
- D&B UAE
Conclusion
Whether you're an investor, supplier, or corporate partner, having access to reliable business verification in the UAE is critical to making informed decisions. From checking trade licenses to conducting full financial and legal reviews, every step of the due diligence process matters.
Platforms like Dun & Bradstreet provide trusted, in-depth corporate intelligence, helping businesses confidently move forward with partnerships, credit decisions, and investment strategies. With tools to verify business information, track payment behavior, and assess financial health, D&B empowers you to operate with confidence and clarity in one of the world’s most dynamic business environments.
Verify company details, credit history, and ownership structure with D&B's trusted database, used by global leaders and local UAE firms alike. Contact us to get started.
FAQ
Q: Why is it important to verify business information before signing a contract?
A: Verifying business information helps ensure the legitimacy, financial health, and legal standing of the company you're engaging with. It reduces the risk of fraud, unpaid invoices, or regulatory issues. In the UAE, where businesses operate under various jurisdictions (mainland, Free Zones, offshore), due diligence protects your investments and builds trust in the business relationship.
Q: What is the best way to perform company due diligence in the UAE?
A: Effective company due diligence in the UAE includes checking trade license validity via local economic departments (like DED Dubai or ADDED), reviewing ownership and legal status, and accessing credit reports from platforms like Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Combining government records with third-party risk data ensures a more comprehensive assessment of the company’s reputation, financial behavior, and compliance history.
Q: How can I find out who owns a company in the UAE?
A: Ownership information can typically be found through the licensing authority where the company is registered, such as a Free Zone authority or the mainland Department of Economic Development (DED). For more detailed insights, including Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) data, services like D&B’s company lookup provide verified global corporate linkages and ownership structures.
Q: How can I identify fraudulent or shell companies in the UAE?
A: Fraudulent or shell companies often lack a verifiable physical address, have vague business activities, or refuse to share financial information. To identify such entities, check their trade license through official registries, review their payment behavior using D&B credit reports, and conduct background checks on directors and shareholders. A lack of transparency is often a key red flag.
