Service Name
Licensing of public interest associations and civil society foundations
About the service
The Department of Community Development (DCD) grants initial approvals and licensing of civil society foundations and institutions of public interest, in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. (35) of 2020, amending some provisions of Federal Law No. (2) of 2008 related to private associations and institutions of public benefit and decisions to enable these entities to provide their services in line with their objectives and operations as listed in their statutes in an integrated manner and within an organized legal framework, in cooperation with the Ministry of Community Development. Accordingly, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Ministry of Community Development on May 19, 2021.
Beneficiaries
- Associations.
- Civil Society Foundations.
- Social Security Fund.
Channel to apply for the service
To apply for the service, please follow the below link:
Timeframe to receive the service
Reviewing the application to obtain the initial approval of the NGOs may extend 30 working days from the date of submitting all requirements, and the license is issued after obtaining the registration from the Ministry of Community Development.
Required documents to apply for the service
1- For initial approval to complete the registration procedures from the Ministry of Community Development:
- Minutes of the founders meeting.
- Minutes of the interim committee meeting.
- Minutes of Board of Trustees meeting - in case the applicant is a Foundation
- Information form (founding members).
- Information (Board of Trustees members) - in case the applicant is a Foundation.
- List of the names of the founding members.
- List of the names of the Board of Trustees members.
- The approved constitution of Association and Foundation.
- Application requesting the initial approval from the DCD.
- A passport copy, unified number, ID copy, and copy of the residence visa for Expats.
- Any other documents requested by the DCD or the Ministry.
2- For licensing issuance:
- License application.
- Ministerial Decision (Decision of Registration).
- Any other documents requested by the DCD or the Ministry.
Fees
No fees
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).