About the service
In line with our vision to provide a "dignified life for all members of the Community", the Department of Community Development is responsible for granting initial approvals and licensing public interest associations and civil society foundations in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulating decisions. The licensing process enables associations and institutions to carry out their operations and provide their services in an integrated manner and within an organized legal framework.
Service Beneficiaries
Associations
All associations are organized with the capacity of continuity for a limited or unlimited period, consisting of natural or legal persons with the intention of achieving social, religious, cultural, scientific, educational, professional, feminist, artistic activity, or providing humanitarian services. Or achieve a purpose of charity, or solidarity, whether through assistance, moral or technical expertise, and it seeks in all its activities for the public interest alone without obtaining monetary profit.
Civil society foundations
Any civil society foundations comprising of a single founder or group of founders established for a limited or unlimited period of time by allocating funds for achieving any of the objectives set forth under article (2) of this law without aiming to generate financial profits.
Social Security Fund
Requirements for obtaining a license
To obtain the license, the following documents must be submitted to the Department of Community Development:
- Founders’ minutes of meeting.
- Minutes of the temporary committee meeting.
- Data form (founding members).
- Data form (Board of Trustees members)- If the applicant is a foundation.
- A list of names of the founding members.
- The approved constitution of not-for-profit foundation and association.
- Obtaining Initial approval from DCD.
- Ministerial decree of publicity not for profit foundation and association by MOCD.
- Copy of passport and Emirates ID of the members.
- Any other documents required by DCD or MOCD.
Note: In case that the not-for-profit foundation and association licensed by the department want to obtain other services; please send a letter to the department explaining the details of the service to be obtained along with any other documents requested by the department or ministry if needed.
To apply for the service, please send all the requirements to the following e-mail: ngo.licensing@addcd.gov.ae
Needed Documents for Licensing Non-Governmental Organization
Frequently asked questions
What are the public interest associations and civil society foundations (NGOs)?
Associations:
All regulated associations have the capacity to continue for a limited or unlimited period, and they consist of natural or legal persons with the intention of achieving social, religious, cultural, scientific, educational, professional, feminist, creative, or artistic activity, providing humanitarian services, achieving a charity purpose, or achieving solidarity whether by providing assistance and moral or technical expertise. These associations seek in all their activities to achieve only the public interest without obtaining any profits. Membership in these associations is open to everyone according to the provisions of this law. The goal is to define the association’s target and the main purpose for which it was established.
Civil society foundations:
Each institution consists of one founder or a group of founders and is established for a limited or unlimited period by allocating money to achieve one of the purposes mentioned in Article 2 of the Federal Law No.2 of 2008 without obtaining any profits.
What are the requirements for licensing a Associations?
- The number of founders shall not be less than 20 members.
- The Minister may make an exception so that the number of founders shall not be less than five members.
- A member’s age shall not be less than 18 years old.
- Members shall have good conduct and reputation and should have never been sentenced to a freedom-restricting punishment such as in a felony or a misdemeanor, unless they have been rehabilitated. All founding and working members shall be UAE citizens, and exceptions may be made by a Cabinet decision.
- All previous provisions shall apply to associations composed of legal persons to the extent that aligns with the nature of these associations.
What are the required documents?
- Approved initial request of the relevant local authority, in which the association’s headquarters is located.
- The association’s statute shall be signed by the founding members, with a summary document.
- Records of the minutes of the founders' meeting, signed by all attendees.
- Records of the minutes of the meeting of the temporary committee.
- The decision of the temporary committee authorizing one member to submit monthly reports.
- A statement that includes the names, titles, professions, and places of residence of the founding members.
- Copy of the Emirates ID and passport of each founding member.
- Data form of the founding members.
- Data form of members of the Board of Trustees (if the applicant is a civil institution).