As per the regulations of the Dubai Municipality, (under Local Order No. 89 of 1994 & Administrative Decision amended by Local Order No. 106 of 1997 and Local Order No. 4 of 1999 issued on Regulating the Practice of Engineering Consultancy Profession in the Emirate of Dubai) it is required that Engineering or Architectural Consultancies appoint a local partner with the following attributes:

• Be a UAE National
• A holder of a BSc. Degree in Engineering from a renowned university in one of the recognised engineering fields
• To have experience in this specialised field for not less than three years after procuring the university degree
• Be a member of the Engineers’ Association in the UAE

Local Engineering Firm

A local engineering firm is a company owned by one or more UAE nationals entered in the Register. One or more expatriates may have a share in possession of the organisation, provided that they are entered in the Register and a maximum of 49% ownership is allowed.

A local engineering company can be classified as follows:

1. First Category – Ten years for UAE Nationals or fifteen years for others (expatriates).
2. Second Category – Five years for UAE Nationals or ten years for others (expatriates).
3. Third Category – Three years for UAE Nationals or five years for others (expatriates).

There are three classifications of Engineering Consultancies: 

• Associate Engineering Firm
• Expert Engineer Firm
• Foreign Engineering Branch Office

The above requirements apply to the following engineering, architectural and consultancy activities:

• Architecture Consultancy
• Civil Engineering Consultancy
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Consultancy
• Mechanical Engineering Consultancy
• Mine, Mining and Geological Engineering Consultancy
• Chemical and Petrol Engineering Consultancy