How to Get an ICV Certificate in UAE: Complete Process & Cost 2026

The National In-Country Value (ICV) Certificate has become increasingly important for UAE companies that want to strengthen their position when bidding for contracts and procurement opportunities with participating government entities and major national companies.

The UAE’s National ICV Program is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). The program evaluates how much economic value a company contributes within the UAE through areas such as local procurement, investment, Emiratisation and other qualifying business activities.

Companies with a valid ICV Certificate can gain an advantage in tenders where ICV score is part of the commercial evaluation process. MoIAT states that certified suppliers can receive advantages during the award of tenders and contracts based on their ICV score.

If you are planning to apply, this guide explains how to get an ICV Certificate in UAE, the certification cost, eligibility requirements, required documents, audit process, timeline and validity in 2026.

What Is an ICV Certificate in UAE?

An In-Country Value Certificate measures a company’s contribution to the UAE economy.

The National ICV Program aims to increase local economic value by encouraging companies to:

Purchase goods and services from UAE-based suppliers
Invest within the UAE
Employ and develop UAE Nationals
Increase local manufacturing and operational spending
Strengthen local supply chains

The certificate assigns an ICV score that participating entities can consider during supplier evaluation and tendering.

MoIAT maintains a directory of approved ICV Certifying Bodies and companies holding valid National ICV Certificates.

Who Needs an ICV Certificate?

ICV certification is particularly useful for companies that intend to work with organizations participating in the National ICV Program.

This may include businesses involved in:

Oil and gas
Construction
Engineering
Manufacturing
Facility management
Logistics
IT services
Consultancy
Maintenance
Trading
Industrial services
Professional services
Government procurement

An ICV Certificate may not be legally mandatory for every UAE company, but it can be commercially important when a customer or tendering entity evaluates suppliers using ICV criteria.

Benefits of Getting an ICV Certificate

Obtaining ICV certification can provide several business advantages.

Better Tender Competitiveness

Companies with a stronger ICV score may receive a commercial advantage when participating in tenders with ICV-participating entities.

Access to Major Procurement Opportunities

Many large UAE organizations consider ICV performance during supplier evaluation.

Stronger Local Business Profile

Certification demonstrates the company’s economic contribution within the UAE.

Improved Procurement Planning

Companies can identify how local purchasing, investment and Emiratisation may improve future ICV scores.

Business Growth Opportunities

For contractors, manufacturers, service providers and suppliers, certification can help strengthen eligibility and competitiveness for high-value contracts.

How to Get an ICV Certificate in UAE

MoIAT currently lists a clear certification process.

Step 1: Register With NAFIS

For private-sector companies, registration with NAFIS as a Partner is a prerequisite for ICV certification.

MoIAT’s ICV supplier guidelines state that private companies must register on the NAFIS platform before obtaining their ICV Certificate.

This should therefore be completed before beginning the certification process.

Step 2: Prepare Audited Financial Statements

One of the most important requirements is having audited financial statements.

MoIAT currently lists the following core requirements:

Valid business licence
Audited financial statements
Other supporting documents depending on company size

The financial statements should normally be prepared according to applicable accounting requirements and form the basis of the financial information used during certification.

What About Newly Established Companies?

MoIAT’s supplier awareness guidance provides an important exception.

If a company has been established for less than 10 months as of the certification date, audited financial statements are not required; certification may instead be based on management accounts.

This can make ICV certification possible even for relatively new businesses.

Step 3: Apply Through the MoIAT ICV Platform

Companies must complete the ICV application through MoIAT’s digital certification system.

The official process begins by:

Logging into or registering on the MoIAT digital platform
Applying for the ICV Certificate service
Entering the required company and financial information

Companies should ensure that the information entered matches their audited financial statements and supporting documentation.

Step 4: Select an Authorized ICV Certifying Body

The ICV Certificate is verified through a MoIAT-authorized Certifying Body.

MoIAT maintains an official directory of authorized ICV Certifying Bodies that are permitted to conduct the technical review and issue certificates in accordance with the program’s requirements.

The selected Certifying Body will review your application and supporting records.

According to the supplier certification guidelines, the selected Certifying Body uploads the signed engagement letter into the certification system before the company completes its ICV information.

Step 5: Complete the ICV Application

The company must provide the required financial and operational information used for calculating the ICV score.

This may include information relating to:

Revenue
Cost of goods
UAE procurement
Overseas procurement
Manufacturing costs
UAE investment
Employee costs
Emirati payroll
Employee training
Business location
Supplier spending

MoIAT encourages companies to structure their accounting records so that important ICV-related expenses can be identified separately.

For example, companies can create separate accounting codes for:

Emirati salaries
Emirati training
Manufacturing costs
UAE procurement
Other ICV-related expenses

Good accounting preparation can make future ICV certification faster and more accurate.

Step 6: Submit Supporting Documents

The Certifying Body may request supporting documentation to verify the figures included in the application.

Typical documents can include:

Valid trade licence
Audited financial statements
Trial balance
General ledger
Supplier invoices
Employee records
Payroll records
Investment documents
Bank or accounting evidence
NAFIS registration
Company ownership documents
Additional records based on company size and activity

The exact documentation required varies depending on the company.

Step 7: Pay the Certification Fee

The certification fee is generally paid to the selected ICV Certifying Body.

MoIAT states that the cost depends on the company’s details and may range from approximately:

AED 500 to AED 10,000

The final price can depend on factors such as:

Company size
Complexity of operations
Number of transactions
Quality of accounting records
Number of business activities
Time required for verification

Therefore, businesses should request a quotation from an approved Certifying Body before proceeding.

ICV Certificate Cost in UAE 2026

The official MoIAT service information currently states:

ICV Certification Item	Cost / Information
Certification Fee	AED 500–10,000 approximately
Audited Financial Statements	Separate accounting/audit cost
Additional Documentation	Depends on company
Consultant Support	Optional additional cost
Renewal	Requires new certification for the relevant period

The certification fee should not be confused with the cost of obtaining audited financial statements.

Companies that do not already have audited accounts may incur additional accounting and audit fees before beginning ICV certification.

Step 8: Certifying Body Verification and Audit

After submission, the selected Certifying Body reviews the application and supporting evidence.

MoIAT’s service process includes a field audit as part of the certification procedure.

The Certifying Body may:

Verify financial figures
Review invoices
Check payroll records
Validate procurement data
Review UAE investment
Verify supporting documents
Request clarifications

Any inconsistency can delay certification.

For this reason, businesses should ensure that the figures reported in the application can be clearly reconciled with their financial records.

Step 9: Receive the ICV Certificate

Once the Certifying Body completes its review and approves the application, the company receives its National ICV Certificate.

The certificate can then be submitted to participating entities when required for:

Supplier registration
Tender submissions
Contract bidding
Procurement evaluation

MoIAT’s digital certification process also uses UAE Pass eSeal and blockchain verification features to support document authenticity.

How Long Does ICV Certification Take?

MoIAT currently lists an expected service completion time of:

14–28 working days

The actual timeline may vary depending on:

Accuracy of company records
Availability of audited financial statements
Certifying Body workload
Complexity of the company
Missing documents
Audit findings
Response time to clarification requests

Companies with organised accounting records may experience a smoother certification process.

How Long Is an ICV Certificate Valid?

A National ICV Certificate is generally:

Valid for one year

MoIAT’s current service guide explicitly states that the certificate has a one-year validity period.

Companies that want to maintain a valid certificate must therefore complete certification again for the next financial period.

How Is the ICV Score Calculated?

The ICV score evaluates different aspects of a company’s contribution to the UAE economy.

Important factors may include:

UAE procurement
Local manufacturing
Investment within the UAE
Emirati employment
Emirati payroll
Employee development
Revenue and export-related activity
Company structure

The treatment of certain factors can differ depending on whether the business is:

Mainland company
Free Zone company
Offshore company
Branch
Representative office

MoIAT’s supplier guidelines specifically distinguish how various company structures are treated for ICV calculations.

Can a Free Zone Company Get an ICV Certificate?

Yes.

MoIAT’s current ICV supplier guidelines specifically address Free Zone companies, which means such businesses can participate in the certification system.

However, the way individual ICV components are calculated can differ between:

Mainland companies
Free Zone manufacturers
Free Zone service providers
Offshore companies

Free Zone companies should therefore assess their business model before estimating their likely ICV score.

How to Improve Your ICV Score

Companies planning long-term participation in the program can improve their position by incorporating ICV considerations into procurement and workforce planning.

Potential strategies include:

Increase UAE Procurement

Purchase more goods and services from eligible UAE suppliers where commercially practical.

Strengthen Local Investment

Investment in UAE-based assets and business infrastructure can support local value creation.

Improve Emiratisation

Hiring and developing UAE Nationals can positively influence ICV performance.

Improve Accounting Records

Create dedicated accounting codes for ICV-relevant categories.

Work With ICV-Certified Suppliers

Understanding your supply chain can help improve local procurement visibility and reporting.

Companies should make these decisions based on genuine commercial requirements rather than simply restructuring transactions for certification purposes.

Common ICV Certification Mistakes

Businesses frequently experience delays because of documentation or accounting problems.

Common mistakes include:

Applying without valid audited financial statements
Not registering with NAFIS
Using inconsistent financial figures
Missing supplier invoices
Poorly structured trial balances
Incorrect employee data
Unsupported UAE procurement figures
Waiting until a tender deadline to begin certification
Choosing an unauthorized service provider

Using an approved MoIAT ICV Certifying Body is essential.

Is ICV Certification Mandatory in UAE?

ICV certification is not automatically mandatory for every company operating in the UAE.

However, it becomes commercially important when:

A participating entity requires it
A tender includes ICV evaluation
Supplier registration requests an ICV Certificate
The business regularly works with major government or national companies

Companies without a certificate may still be eligible for certain opportunities, but they can lose the competitive advantage associated with having a valid ICV score.

ICV Certificate for New Companies

New companies can also obtain ICV certification.

If the company has operated for less than 10 months, MoIAT guidance allows certification to use management accounts instead of audited financial statements, subject to the applicable certification requirements.

This can be especially useful for newly established contractors, suppliers and service businesses seeking tender opportunities.

ICV Certificate Renewal in UAE

Because the certificate is valid for one year, businesses should prepare for annual certification.

A good renewal strategy includes:

Maintaining structured accounting records
Separating UAE and overseas procurement
Tracking Emirati payroll
Maintaining supplier documentation
Keeping investment records updated
Preparing financial statements promptly
Starting renewal before an important tender deadline

Maintaining clean records throughout the year can make future certification significantly easier.

How an ICV Consultant Can Help

Although the certificate must ultimately be verified by an approved Certifying Body, professional ICV preparation support can help businesses organise their records before certification.

Support may include:

Initial eligibility assessment
Document checklist
Financial data preparation
Trial balance review
ICV application preparation
Procurement analysis
Audit coordination
Certifying Body coordination
ICV score improvement planning
Renewal support

The Certifying Body remains responsible for the independent verification and issuance of the certificate.

Get Your ICV Certificate in UAE

Planning to apply for an ICV Certificate in UAE?

Preparing the application correctly can reduce delays and help your company clearly demonstrate its contribution to the UAE economy.

Professional ICV support can assist with:

Application preparation
Document review
Audited financial statement coordination
ICV data preparation
Certifying Body coordination
Certification support
Renewal assistance

Contact our UAE business advisory team to understand your ICV eligibility, expected certification cost and document requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an ICV Certificate cost in UAE?

MoIAT currently states that ICV certification fees can range from approximately AED 500 to AED 10,000, depending on the company’s details.

How long does ICV certification take?

MoIAT lists an expected processing period of approximately 14–28 working days.

How long is an ICV Certificate valid?

The National ICV Certificate is generally valid for one year.

Are audited financial statements required?

Yes, audited financial statements are a core requirement. However, companies established for less than 10 months may use management accounts under the current guidance.

Is NAFIS registration required?

Yes. MoIAT’s supplier guidelines state that private companies must register with NAFIS as Partners before obtaining the ICV Certificate.

Can a Free Zone company get ICV certification?

Yes. MoIAT’s certification guidelines specifically include Free Zone companies and describe how their ICV attributes are considered.

Who issues the ICV Certificate?

The certificate is verified and issued through MoIAT-authorized ICV Certifying Bodies. MoIAT maintains an official directory of approved bodies.

Is ICV certification useful for tenders?

Yes. MoIAT states that certified suppliers can gain advantages during the award of tenders and contracts based on their ICV score.