Ejari

The Dubai Land Department's tenancy registration system, and the certificate it produces. A Dubai mainland trade licence cannot be issued or renewed without a registered Ejari for the premises, which is why the property decision comes before the licence rather than after it. The equivalent in Abu Dhabi is Tawtheeq.

Where it comes up

Ejari comes up the moment you look at a Dubai mainland office. The licensing authority will not issue or renew without a registered tenancy, so the property decision drives the licence timeline rather than the other way round. It also determines your visa quota, because quota follows leased floor area.

What it costs

AED 177.75 registering online through the Dubai REST app or the DLD portal — AED 100 registration, AED 10 knowledge fee, AED 10 innovation fee, AED 55 service partner fee and AED 2.75 VAT. A trustee centre charges AED 219.75, and a property manager typically AED 400–500.

Who it applies to

Every Dubai mainland company with leased premises. Free zone tenancies register with the zone authority instead, and Abu Dhabi uses Tawtheeq.

How it actually goes

1. Sign the tenancyThe landlord or their agent issues a tenancy contract on the Dubai Land Department's standard form. Confirm the unit's permitted use is commercial before signing, not after.
2. Gather the fileTenancy contract, landlord's title deed, tenant's trade licence or passport and Emirates ID, and the DEWA premises number for the unit.
3. RegisterThrough the Dubai REST app or the DLD portal yourself, or at a real estate services trustee centre. The certificate is normally issued the same day.
4. Attach itThe Ejari certificate goes into the licence application or renewal. Until it exists, DET will not issue.

Ejari runs annually and must be renewed with the tenancy. A lapsed Ejari surfaces at licence renewal, which is the worst moment to discover the landlord has not re-registered.

In short

• Required for every Dubai mainland licence and renewal
• Registered by the landlord or agent against the tenancy contract
• Determines your visa quota, because quota follows leased area

Where this leads

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