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.

1. The number of founding members shall not be less than seven (7) members.
2. The percentage of founding members who are UAE nationals shall not be less than seventy (70%) percent of the total number of founding members. Persons who do not hold state citizenship may participate in establishing associations in accordance with the following controls:
   • Their number shall not exceed thirty (30%) percent of the total number of founding members.
   • The member does not hold diplomatic status.
   • Should have a valid residence permit in the country for a period of no less than three (3) years.
   • The founding member should be of the age of majority in accordance with the legislation in force in the country.
   • The members must be of good conduct and reputation and have never been sentenced to a freedom-restricting penalty in a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, unless he has been rehabilitated.
3. The association should have a constitution consistent with the provisions of this decree law and its executive regulations.
4. Any other conditions determined by the ministry or Local Authority.
5. Exceptions to all or some of the conditions stipulated in this article may be made pursuant to a decision issued by the Council of Ministers based on the Minister’s proposal in coordination with the Local Authority.

1. Approved initial request of the relevant local authority, in which the association’s headquarters is located.
2. The association’s statute shall be signed by the founding members, with a summary document.
3. Records of the minutes of the founders' meeting, signed by all attendees.
4. Records of the minutes of the meeting of the temporary committee.
5. The decision of the temporary committee authorizing one member to submit monthly reports.
6. A statement that includes the names, titles, professions, and places of residence of the founding members.
7. Copy of the Emirates ID and passport of each founding member.
8. Data form of the founding members.
9. Data form of members of the Board of Trustees (if the applicant is a civil institution). 

The application submission channel varies depending on the type of service requested. Some applications can be submitted via the dedicated email for public-benefit associations: ngo.licensing@addcd.gov.ae , while other services are processed through the TAMM platform: https://www.tamm.abudhabi.

Please visit this link:

https://www.addcd.gov.ae/en/Licensing-Services/Non-Governmental-Organization-Licensing/FAQs

Please visit the below link:

https://www.addcd.gov.ae/en/Licensing-Services/Non-Governmental-Organization-Licensing/FAQs