Immigration Lawyers, Legal Consultants and Visa Services
Who may advise you
Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 allows only lawyers licensed in the UAE to practise law or use the title "lawyer". Courts, the Public Prosecution and government entities accept representation only from lawyers on the Roll of Practising Lawyers kept by the Ministry of Justice.1
| Adviser | What they may do | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Practising lawyer | Represent you before courts, the Public Prosecution and government entities | Listed on the Ministry of Justice roll |
| Non-national lawyer | Represent clients only before the specialised circuits named by the judicial authorities, not in criminal, administrative, family or Muslim personal status cases | Licensed under the same law |
| Legal consultant | Give opinions, draft contracts and documents and handle legal procedures, without appearing in court | On the register of legal consultants; a non-UAE consultant needs 10 years' experience for Category A and 5 for Category B |
| Branch of a foreign firm | Practise through its registered lawyers and consultants | Parent firm at least 15 years old with branches in 3 countries; a manager with 10 years' experience |
Source: UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 regulating the legal profession and legal consultation; Ministry of Justice: Cabinet Resolution No. 8 of 2025, executive regulations of the legal profession law1,2
Every firm must carry professional liability insurance from an insurer licensed in the UAE. A lawyer registered abroad can ask for temporary permission to represent a client in a specific civil case.2
How to check a lawyer
In Dubai, the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department publishes a free online directory of registered advocates and legal consultants and of the firms it licenses. You can search by part of a person's name or of the firm's name.5,6
- The directory does not list legal assistants, paralegals or public relations officers (PROs).
- It does not list inactive, suspended or disbarred lawyers, so a missing name is a warning sign.
- It does not show a lawyer's specialisation, and a listing is not an endorsement.
- To confirm an entry, call the directorate on +971 4 353 3337.
Source: Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department: Advocates and legal consultants directory6
Outside Dubai, ask the lawyer for their Ministry of Justice roll registration and the firm's licence, and check them with the issuing authority.1
Amer centre, PRO or lawyer
In Dubai, GDRFA residence services can be applied for online with UAE Pass, at a Customer Happiness Centre or at an Amer service centre. A family entry visa, for example, costs AED 200 plus 5% VAT, with AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees and AED 500 if the person is already in the country, and is expected to take 48 hours.8
| Situation | Usually handled by |
|---|---|
| A standard visa, renewal or cancellation | You online, an Amer centre, or a PRO firm |
| A question about the entry and residence law | GDRFA Dubai's own legal advice service, or a legal consultant |
| A case before a court or the Public Prosecution | A lawyer on the Ministry of Justice roll |
Source: GDRFA Dubai: Entry visa for family sponsorship; GDRFA Dubai: Legal advice service; UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 regulating the legal profession and legal consultation8,7,1
A PRO or typing centre can file applications but is not a lawyer, and the Dubai directory does not list PROs.6
Before you pay
- Check the name in the register before you sign.
- Ask for a written engagement letter with the scope of work, the fee and what is excluded, such as government fees.
- Compare the quote with the official fee shown on the GDRFA or ICP service page, so you can see what is the adviser's fee.
- Be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed visa: approval rests with the authority.
The Ministry of Justice charges firms for their own licences, from AED 1,000 a year for a sole legal consultancy to AED 5,000 a year for a branch of a foreign law firm. These are regulatory fees, not what a client pays.3
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check that a Dubai lawyer is licensed?
Search the free advocates and legal consultants directory of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department by name or firm. It does not list PROs, paralegals or suspended lawyers.
Sources
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 regulating the legal profession and legal consultation
- Ministry of Justice: Cabinet Resolution No. 8 of 2025, executive regulations of the legal profession law
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution of 2025 on Ministry of Justice service charges for the legal profession
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution of 2022 on the percentage of national lawyers at foreign law firms
- Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department: Search for an advocate or legal consultant
- Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department: Advocates and legal consultants directory
- GDRFA Dubai: Legal advice service
- GDRFA Dubai: Entry visa for family sponsorship
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.