What is the Establishment Card?
The establishment card (also called an immigration card or company immigration card) is the document that formally registers a UAE company or business entity with the immigration authorities. It is the company's identity in the immigration system and is the mechanism through which an employer gains the ability to sponsor residence visas and entry permits for employees. The establishment card is separate from the trade licence (issued by the relevant licensing authority) and the MOHRE labour establishment registration, but all three are typically required together before a company can legally hire and sponsor employees.
How to obtain, check, or renew the Establishment Card
- Confirm eligibility: The establishment card is required for any company that intends to sponsor employees in the UAE mainland. Free-zone companies may have their own equivalent issued by the free-zone authority; confirm with the specific free zone whether a separate ICP/GDRFA card is also needed for visa processing outside the zone.
- Prepare the required documents: Documents typically include the company's valid trade licence, the owner's or authorised signatory's Emirates ID, a tenancy contract or lease agreement for the company premises, and any other documents required by the relevant immigration authority. Confirm the current list with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
- Submit the application: Applications are submitted through the ICP (federal, for most mainland companies) or GDRFA (Dubai, for companies registered in Dubai). Applications are processed through e-Channel, the immigration system's employer platform. Approved typing centres and PRO services can assist with the submission.
- Pay the applicable fee: A fee is charged for issuance and renewal. Confirm the current fee structure with the authority before submitting, as it is subject to change.
- Renew before expiry: The establishment card must be renewed before it expires. The renewal period and process follow the same steps as initial issuance. Track the expiry date carefully and initiate renewal in advance, as processing times vary.
Rules, validity, and cost
The establishment card typically carries a validity of one to two years, though the exact term depends on the authority and the company category; confirm at the time of issuance. An expired establishment card generally prevents the company from processing new employee entry permits or residence visa transactions through e-Channel. This means new hires cannot be onboarded and existing employee renewals may be stalled until the card is renewed. The cost of issuance and renewal varies; confirm the current fee with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
What expats should know
As an employee, you may not deal with the establishment card directly, but its validity directly affects your ability to have your residence visa processed or renewed on time. If your employer's establishment card is expired or has an issue, your visa transactions can be held up regardless of your own documents being in order. If you are waiting on a visa renewal or new hire visa and facing unexpected delays, it is worth asking your company's PRO or HR team to verify that the establishment card and all other company immigration registrations are current. For employees of free-zone companies who also hold a mainland activity or who live in mainland-sponsored accommodation, clarify with your employer which immigration authority manages your visa and whether both a free-zone card and a mainland establishment card are relevant to your file.