Want to start an online business? Get an NoC from TDRA for free. Here’s how

Dubai: Thinking of starting a business online? Whether you are planning to set up a website or a social media account, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfil if you wish to sell any kind of goods or service in the UAE.

One of these requirements is getting a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), for ‘practising an e-activity’.

Whether you are practising a commercial activity in a personal capacity, or are setting up an online business, TDRA provides NoC for practising e-activity to individuals and businesses that wish to practise an activity of an economic nature on the internet in the UAE, through websites, applications or social media accounts.

You would also need to apply for an e-commerce licence with one of the economic departments in the UAE, details for which you can find here.

1. Visit tdra.gov.ae/en/services/noc-for-practicing-e-activity and click on ‘start service’.
2. Log in using your UAE Pass account.
3. You will then need to fill in the details of your e-activity, like whether you need it for a website, a social media account or an app, and the details of the type of activity you are conducting.
4. Attach the trade licence (if available) and any NoCs issued from the relevant authorities, if the activities require such clearance.
5. Submit your application.

Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by TDRA, and if approved, you will receive the NoC electronically.

The certificate is free of cost and the expected processing time is two working days.