The ministry’s published standard UAE trademark fee stages are AED 750 for regular examination, AED 750 for publication and AED 5,000 for registration. These stages total AED 6,500 before professional and document costs. Confirm the number of marks and classes, the current filing scope and any extra work before budgeting. Application acceptance does not equal final registration. (Official trademark fee schedule)
Table of Contents
Decide who should own the mark
Choose the applicant before filing. A founder, an operating company and a holding company are different legal owners. Confirm which entity should own the brand and how the trading business obtains any necessary permission to use it.
Use the correct legal name and supporting records. If the business may raise investment or sell, review how the brand rights will sit within that ownership structure. Avoid filing in one person’s name by default and assuming a later transfer has no consequences.
Define the protection and conduct the search
Describe the goods and services the business offers. Select the appropriate classification and wording for the intended protection. A registration does not protect every possible product merely because the business uses the same logo.
Search for existing marks and assess potential conflicts before paying for a full launch. A trade-name reservation, domain name or social-media handle does not establish trademark clearance. (UAE Trademarks Law)
Use the Dubai trade-name guide for the separate company-name process.
Prepare the documents for the applicant
The ministry distinguishes personal and company applications. Its service page states that an applicant filing in a personal name from within the country does not need a commercial licence for that reason alone. A company or institution application requires its commercial licence. (Official trademark-registration service)
An agent-filed application requires the appropriate legal power of attorney. The ministry also states that an owner from outside the country must apply through a registration agent and provide the legal and notarised power of attorney. Use an authorised trademark agent rather than assuming any business consultant can file in that capacity. (Official trademark-registration service)
Confirm the accepted representation of the mark and any additional records for the particular application. Check translation and attestation requirements before preparing foreign documents.
Budget by stage
The listed standard stages total AED 6,500. The ministry lists a separate expedited-examination option at AED 2,250 and different registration charges for quality marks. Do not apply either as an extra standard trademark charge by default. Reconfirm the service, filing scope and tariff before payment. (Official trademark fee schedule)
Follow examination, publication and opposition separately
The current ministry service page describes publication in the administration’s official bulletin. Follow the current ministry publication instructions for the accepted application. (Official trademark-registration service; UAE Trademarks Law)
Track the actual notice and payment deadlines. Examination requests, objections and document issues can change the complete timeline. Do not promise registration by one fixed date for every application.
Manage the rights after registration
Record the registered owner, mark, covered goods or services and renewal date. Monitor material conflicts and keep evidence of the business’s use of the mark. Update ownership or representative records through the applicable process where needed.
A UAE registration does not automatically provide protection in every country. Review expansion markets separately. Obtain advice before using a similar mark abroad or licensing the brand to another group company. (UAE Trademarks Law)
Questions brand owners ask
Is trademark registration the same as a trade licence?
No. A trademark concerns brand rights; a trade licence concerns permission for the business activity.
Does every applicant need the same documents?
No. Personal and company applications require different evidence; overseas owners and agent-filed applications have additional representation requirements. Check the service checklist for the actual applicant. (Official trademark-registration service)
What will the complete application cost?
The standard official stages listed above total AED 6,500. The complete cost depends on marks, classes, agent work, documents and any objections or changes. Obtain an itemised proposal before authorising the application.
Can a publication stage guarantee registration?
No. Complete the opposition and final registration requirements before describing the mark as registered. (Official trademark-registration service; UAE Trademarks Law)
Discuss your brand ownership structure
Bring the proposed owner, mark and product or service list. Discuss your UAE business structure with GCG. Use an authorised trademark agent for filing where required.
For help with the implementation, see our trademark registration support service.
Sources: Official trademark-registration service; UAE Trademarks Law
