Which .ae ending do you need?
| Ending | Who can register | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| .ae | Anyone, worldwide | None, but no trademark infringement or bad-faith registration |
| .co.ae | Commercial entities | UAE trade licence (some registrars accept a UAE trademark) |
| .net.ae | Network and IT service providers | Trade licence covering the relevant activity |
| .org.ae | Non-profit organisations | Proof of non-profit status |
| .gov.ae / .mil.ae | Government / military | Government entity |
| .ac.ae / .sch.ae | Universities / schools | Accreditation |
Registrars sometimes disagree on edge cases, for example whether free zone companies or trademark holders qualify for .co.ae. The governing document is the .aeDA Domain Name Eligibility Policy; if a registrar's answer surprises you, ask them to point to it.
How does registration work?
- Check availability with an accredited registrar.
- For restricted endings, upload your trade licence. The name should match your company or licensed activity.
- Pay for one or more years and point the domain to your hosting.
- Set up email (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) so your enquiries do not land in spam.
.ae, .co.ae or .com?
For most UAE small businesses we recommend the short .ae, plus the .com if available, with one redirecting to the other. .co.ae makes sense if your preferred .ae is taken. What matters most for being found is not the ending but the content, your Google Business Profile and links from UAE sites.
New company, no website yet?
We register the domain, set up email deliverability and launch your site in 7 days.
See the new business checklistFAQ
Can foreigners register a .ae domain?
Yes. The open .ae zone (yourname.ae) has no residency or trade licence requirement. The name must not infringe a trademark or be registered in bad faith.
Do I need a trade licence for .co.ae?
Yes. .co.ae is a restricted zone for commercial entities and requires a UAE trade licence (some registrars also accept a UAE trademark). The domain should relate to the name or activity on your licence.
Should I choose .ae or .com?
For a UAE-focused business, .ae signals local presence to customers and is short. If you sell internationally, .com is fine. Many companies register both and redirect one to the other.
Does a .ae domain help SEO in the UAE?
A country-code domain tells Google the site targets the UAE. It is a small signal; content, links and your Google Business Profile matter far more.