How do I reserve a trade name for my company in Dubai?

Reserving a trade name is one of the first steps in setting up a company in Dubai and is handled through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). You submit your proposed name for approval, and if available and compliant, it is reserved for your company. UAE trade-name rules generally require the name to be relevant to the activity, not violate public morals or order, not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered name, and not include the names of religions, governing authorities, or certain restricted words without permission. If you use a personal name, it usually must be the full name rather than initials. Once approved, the reserved name is typically held for a limited period while you complete the rest of the registration. Fees and validity periods are set by the authority and should be confirmed at the time of application. Because naming rules are applied strictly, check the current requirements with DET. For trademark protection of your chosen name, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.