Establishment Card in the UAE
An establishment card is what lets your company sponsor people. Without a valid one you cannot issue a residence visa, renew an existing one, or hire. Published costs for it vary wildly because there are two different cards and most sources do not say which one they are pricing.
First: there are two different cards
Most of the confusion online comes from treating these as one thing. They are issued by different authorities and do different jobs, and you may need both.
| Card | Issued by | What it lets you do |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration establishment card also called the immigration card or e-channel card |
GDRFA / ICP | Sponsor residence visas. Nothing visa-related can start without it. |
| Labour establishment card also called the company card or MOHRE card |
MOHRE | Employ staff on the mainland and issue work permits. |
Free zone companies deal with the free zone authority rather than MOHRE, and most zones bundle the immigration card into the setup package. Mainland companies that hire staff generally need both. See the full comparison.
What it costs — and why every site gives a different number
Published figures for this card disagree badly. On a single search you will find renewal quoted at AED 300 to 500, at AED 200 to 350, and at AED 1,200 to 1,600. They are not all wrong: they are quoting different cards, different emirates and different things — some quote only the government fee, some add the typing centre, and some quote the free zone's bundled price. Here is the breakdown that reconciles them.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration establishment card — new | AED 1,000 - 2,000 | Government fee plus typing and service charges; required before any visa |
| Immigration establishment card — renewal | AED 500 - 1,200 | Varies by emirate, authority and validity purchased |
| Labour establishment card (MOHRE) — new | AED 500 - 1,500 | Mainland only; needed to employ staff |
| Labour establishment card — renewal | AED 300 - 800 | Trade licence must be valid first |
| Typing centre / Tasheel | AED 50 - 200 | Per transaction, on top of the government fee |
| PRO or service agent fee | AED 150 - 500 | Optional; most free zones handle it for you |
| Free zone bundled package | often quoted AED 1,200 - 2,000 | Why some sites quote four figures for a "renewal" |
Why the spread: a government fee alone sits at the low end; add a typing centre, PRO service and urgent processing and you reach the high end. Free zone packages often quote the card bundled with the licence, which is where the four-figure numbers come from.
Renewal, and what actually happens if you are late
The card is typically valid for one to three years depending on the authority and what you paid for. Your trade licence must be valid first — renewal will not process against an expired licence, which is the most common reason a renewal stalls.
On penalties, sources contradict each other openly: some state AED 500 per month from the day after expiry, others AED 100 per month. We are not going to add a sixth number. What is consistent, and what actually matters, is the operational consequence:
- You cannot apply for any new residence visa
- You cannot renew existing employee visas, so staff begin to fall out of status
- You cannot issue new work permits
- Fines accrue monthly and are payable before anything else will process
In practice the fine is rarely the expensive part. The cost is a hiring freeze and staff going out of status while you unwind it. Confirm the current penalty with GDRFA, ICP or MOHRE for your emirate before relying on any figure published by a consultancy, including the ranges above.
How to apply or renew
- Confirm the trade licence is valid and will not expire mid-process
- Gather the licence copy, tenancy contract or Ejari, and authorised signatory details
- Apply through the relevant portal — your free zone's portal, the ICP or GDRFA channel for the immigration card, or MOHRE and Tasheel for the labour card
- Pay the fee and collect the card, usually within a few working days
- Diarise the expiry date, because nothing warns you before it lapses
Establishment Card — FAQs
How much does an establishment card cost in the UAE?
A new immigration establishment card is typically AED 1,000 to 2,000 including typing and service charges, and renewal AED 500 to 1,200. A MOHRE labour establishment card is roughly AED 500 to 1,500 new and AED 300 to 800 on renewal. Published figures differ widely because sources price different cards, different emirates, and sometimes a free zone package rather than the government fee alone.
Why do websites give such different establishment card fees?
Because there are two different cards and most pages do not say which one they mean. An immigration establishment card from GDRFA or ICP lets you sponsor visas; a labour establishment card from MOHRE lets you employ staff on the mainland. On top of that, some quotes are the bare government fee, some include typing and PRO charges, and some are a free zone package price. That is the entire source of the AED 200 to AED 1,600 spread you see online.
What is the penalty if my establishment card expires?
Published figures conflict, with some sources stating AED 500 per month and others AED 100 per month, so confirm the current amount with GDRFA, ICP or MOHRE for your emirate. The operational consequence is consistent and usually costs more than the fine: you cannot issue new residence visas, cannot renew existing employee visas, and cannot issue work permits until it is resolved.
Do free zone companies need an establishment card?
Yes, if you want to sponsor anyone. Free zone companies deal with their own free zone authority rather than MOHRE, and most zones bundle the immigration card into the setup package, which is why you may never see it priced separately. A licence-only package with no visas does not require one.
Can I renew my establishment card if my trade licence has expired?
No. A valid trade licence is a prerequisite and renewal will not process without one. This is the most common reason a renewal stalls, so renew the licence first and leave enough margin that it does not expire partway through the card renewal.
How long is an establishment card valid?
Typically one to three years depending on the issuing authority and the validity you paid for. Nothing reminds you before it lapses, so diarise the expiry date. An expired card blocks all visa activity immediately rather than after a grace period.
Related
General information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and penalties are set by GDRFA, ICP and MOHRE and differ by emirate. Confirm current amounts with the relevant authority before paying.
Last updated: October 2026 · Maintained by the My Business Setup editorial team
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