Initial Approval
Also known as: Preliminary Approval, Initial Approval Certificate, DET Initial Approval
Quick Answer
Initial approval is the licensing authority's preliminary consent to a proposed company — confirming the activity and shareholders are acceptable in principle, so the founder can proceed to MOA notarisation, leasing, and final licence issuance.
Initial approval is an early checkpoint in UAE company formation. After the trade name is reserved, the founder submits the proposed activities, shareholder details, and managers to the licensing authority (DET on the mainland, or the free-zone authority). The authority reviews them and, if there is no objection in principle, issues an initial approval certificate.
Critically, initial approval does not yet permit the company to start operating. It signals that the government has no preliminary objection and lets the founder move on to the steps that cost time and money — notarising the MOA, signing an office lease and registering Ejari, and obtaining any external approvals — with confidence the structure will be accepted.
Some activities require additional approvals from other government bodies before or alongside initial approval (for example, security approval for certain trading activities). Initial approval is usually valid for a limited window, within which the founder must complete the remaining steps. ZETUP PRO sequences the whole formation so initial approval does not lapse.
Frequently asked questions
What is initial approval in UAE company formation?
Initial approval is the licensing authority's preliminary consent — confirming the activity and shareholders are acceptable in principle, so you can proceed to MOA notarisation, leasing, and final licence issuance.
Does initial approval let me start trading?
No — it signals the government has no preliminary objection, but you cannot operate until the licence is issued. It lets you move on to the steps that cost time and money.
How much does initial approval cost?
The DET base fee is AED 100 (Executive Council Resolution 13/2011); the current all-in total is around AED 120 with the knowledge and innovation dirham fees. Confirm the current amount with DET.
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