GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR ACQUIRING LICENSES

1. Applicant may approach the Abu Dhabi Municipality Department once the required trade name is duly approved by Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry. A special application form should be completed, then attached to other documents as specified in clause (3) hereinbefore.
2. The Abu Dhabi Municipality Licensing Committee, thereafter reviews applications and supporting documents and determines whether a submitted application requires approval of competent authority. In such a case, the application is referred to the respective competent authority for approval. Applicant should approach the involved competent authority to see whether further documents or certain explanations are still required.
3. Once being approved by respective competent authority and the Municipality, the application is referred by the latter who addresses the Chamber for approval and issuance of membership certificate.
4. According to the Municipality letter addressed to the Chamber, the applicant in question should visit the Chamber office in order to sign a membership application from to which copies of all documents submitted to the Municipality should be attached.
5. Once the Chamber Membership Certificate is issued, the applicant should go back to the Municipality requesting registration in the Commercial Register an Municipality Licence which is not finally acquired unless upon field visit to the applicant premises
   and fulfillment of all terms and conditions relating to advertising, safety and health requirements in accordance with the rules and regulations applied by Abu Dhabi Municipality.
6. In case the applicant is a commercial company, the Municipality shall refer the applicant to the Ministry of Economy & Commerce after acquiring the Chamber Membership Certificate. At the Ministry, relevant procedures required for registration of the company's incorporation are to be completed.
7. In case the applicant is a foreign company branch, he shall have to submit an application attached with all documents mentioned in clause (3) hereinbefore to Ministry of Economy & Commerce. The Ministry, in cooperation with the M and the Chamber, presents the application before the esteemed Executive in Abu Dhabi seeking required approval.
8. Municipality license should be annually renewed.
9. Once the Municipality Licence is issued, applicant should approach the Ministry of Labor to open a special "Company Card" and apply for required labor force. Then he has to approach the Department of Naturalization & Residence to get permits.