English to French Licence Translation for Business Registration

What a Dubai Free Zone Business Licence Contains

A Dubai free zone business licence is an official document authorising a company to operate within a designated free zone, such as Meydan Free Zone. Typical fields include the company name (in English or Arabic), legal form (e.g. Free Zone Establishment – FZE, Free Zone Company – FZC), licence number, trade activity (e.g. wholesale pharmaceuticals), date of issue and expiry, and the issuing authority. Some licences also mention the registered address, share capital, and director names. Understanding these fields helps ensure an accurate English-to-French translation that preserves the licence’s meaning for verification by Dubai free zone authorities or foreign partners.

Common English Terms in a UAE Business Licence (with French Translation)

Accurate translation of licence terminology avoids confusion during business registration. The table below lists English terms found on UAE commercial licences and their standard French equivalents.

English Term	French Translation
Licence Number	Numéro de licence
Company Name	Nom de la société
Legal Form	Forme juridique
Trade Activity	Activité commerciale
Issue Date	Date de délivrance
Expiry Date	Date d’expiration
Issuing Authority	Autorité émettrice
Status	Statut

Why Translate a UAE Free Zone Licence into French

Translating a UAE free zone licence into French becomes necessary when the document must be submitted to French-speaking institutions, for company formation involving a French partner, opening a corporate bank account with a French-speaking bank, or supporting a business visa application at a French embassy. It also arises during business verification by a French regulatory body or during due diligence for an acquisition. From our experience translating similar documents, a clear and faithful translation helps prevent delays in cross-border commercial operations.

AI Translation vs. On-Demand Certified Translation for Official Use

Lekhak’s instant AI translation is ideal for quick comprehension, internal review, or preparing a working draft of your licence. For most verification steps, such as sharing with a potential partner or a bank relationship manager, the AI output is sufficient. However, if the translated licence is to be submitted to a government authority, a court, or an embassy that requires an official document, a certified translation is the appropriate choice. Lekhak offers certified translation on-demand for those cases, with the certification being arranged separately from the self-serve AI flow. Always confirm the acceptance criteria of the receiving institution.

What Lekhak’s AI Translation Delivers for Your Licence

When you upload your UAE business licence (PDF, image, or DOCX) to Lekhak, you receive an editable DOCX file in minutes, not a scanned PDF. The translation preserves the licence’s content, layout, and basic structure. It handles English-to-French accurately for standard fields like “trade licence” and “company formation”. The self-serve tool is available 24/7 and costs a flat rate per page (see the pricing page for current rates). There is no human reviewer in this flow, so the output is best for non‑official uses unless later certified.

When Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Attestation Is Needed

For the translated licence to be accepted by a government agency or foreign mission, the attestation chain typically involves: 1) notarisation of the translator’s declaration (if required), 2) an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and 3) attestation by the relevant foreign embassy. A certified translation is a prerequisite for this process. Lekhak provides certified translation on-demand, which forms the base document; notarisation, apostille, and embassy attestation are separate government acts the reader arranges with the appropriate authorities.

Regional Variations: Free Zone vs. Mainland UAE Licences

Free zone licences (e.g. from Meydan Free Zone) are issued by the free zone authority and often restrict the company to operating within the zone or carrying out specific activities. Mainland licences, issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), allow business across the emirate. Free zone licences typically include the zone name prominently, while mainland licences reference the DED. The translation must reflect the issuing authority to avoid confusion. Common activities across both types include wholesale trade, consultancy, and professional services. For a detailed overview of free zones, see the free trade zone article.

Key Regulations Referenced on UAE Business Licences

UAE business licences are governed by the UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021) and the regulations of each free zone. Licence renewal, activity amendments, and competent authority approval (e.g. for regulated activities like pharmaceuticals) are prescribed by these rules. Understanding the regulatory context helps the translator match terminology correctly in the French version.

How to Get a Duplicate UAE Free Zone Licence (if the Original Is Lost)

If your original licence is lost or damaged, contact the issuing free zone authority (e.g. Meydan Free Zone) to request a duplicate. You typically need to submit an affidavit, pay a replacement fee, and provide company registration details. Once the duplicate is issued, upload it to Lekhak for translation. Starting with a clear copy ensures the AI translation produces accurate French output.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fields need special attention during translation?

The licence number, company name, and trade activity must be translated exactly as they appear. Legal forms (FZE, FZC) are usually kept in the original with a French explanation.

Can I translate a licence that contains Arabic script?

Yes. Lekhak’s OCR processes Arabic text, and the AI translates French from the English fields. For Arabic-only content, consider a separate Arabic-to-English step first.

Is the AI translation accepted by Dubai free zone authorities?

Free zone authorities usually require an Arabic original or a certified translation. The AI output is fine for internal use but not for official submission.

Do I need a certified translation for a bank account opening?

Many UAE banks accept an AI translation for initial documentation; some request a certified one. Check with your bank. Lekhak can arrange certified translation on-demand if needed.

What is the difference between a trade licence and a commercial licence?

In Dubai free zones, a “trade licence” permits buying and selling goods, while a “commercial licence” covers services. The French equivalent may differ; our AI uses context-dependent terminology.

How long does it take to get a certified translation?

Certified translation is arranged on-demand and turnaround depends on the specific request. The instant AI translation is delivered in minutes.

Does Lekhak provide notarisation or apostille for the translated licence?

No. Notarisation and apostille are government acts you arrange with a notary public and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively.

Can I use the AI translation for a French visa application?

Most embassies require certified translations for visa applications. Lekhak’s AI translation serves as a reference draft; you may still need a certified version on-demand.

What if my licence has a different format from the standard table?

Lekhak’s AI handles various layouts. It extracts all visible text and translates it, preserving the structure of the original licence.

How do I replace a lost Meydan Free Zone licence before translation?

Contact the Meydan Free Zone client services department. Provide your company details and pay the duplicate fee. Then upload the replacement to Lekhak.