Every year, more suppliers across the UAE realize that an ICV certificate is no longer optional if they want to win contracts with ADNOC and its group companies. AZ Group works with businesses of every size in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE to prepare, calculate, and secure ICV certification through a process built on accuracy, local knowledge, and years of hands on experience with UAE compliance frameworks.
Eligibility Requirements for ICV Certification
To qualify for ICV certification, a company generally needs the following in place:
- A valid UAE trade license (mainland or free zone)
- Audited financial statements for the relevant reporting period
- Proof of Emiratization where applicable
- Details of fixed assets and production or manufacturing activity within the UAE
- Payroll records supporting workforce and nationalization data
- Every category carries a different weight in the final calculation, which is why an accurate first assessment matters more than most companies expect.
- Trade license copy and memorandum of association
- Audited financial statements
- Payroll reports and Emiratization data
- Supplier and procurement invoices
- Fixed asset registers
- Organizational chart and ownership structure
- Any prior ICV certificates, if applicable
- Missing or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common reasons certification gets delayed, which is why AZ Group reviews every file before submission to the auditor.
Documents Required for ICV Certification
Corporate Tax Registration
Our team prepares and files your corporate tax return with care and accuracy, covering:
- Calculation of taxable income
- Application of the correct tax rate (0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above, subject to current regulations)
- Reconciliation between accounting profit and taxable profit
- Timely submission within the FTA filing window
- Government entities and government-controlled entities
- Qualifying public benefit entities
- Extractive and non-extractive natural resource businesses
- Small business relief eligibility for qualifying entities
- Our consultants confirm eligibility, prepare supporting documentation, and manage the exemption application where applicable.
Corporate Tax Exemption UAE Guidance
The ICV Certification Process
The full cycle can take a few weeks depending on how organized the underlying data is, which is where early preparation makes a measurable difference.
- Initial assessment – reviewing financials, workforce, and procurement data to estimate a realistic ICV score
- Data collection and verification – gathering all supporting documents in the format required by certifying bodies
- ICV score calculation – applying the official formula across weighted categories
- Independent audit – submission to an approved certifying body for verification
- Certificate issuance – receiving the final ICV certificate, valid typically for one year
- Stronger tender positioning with ADNOC and government linked entities
- Better long term client relationships built on demonstrated local commitment
- Improved eligibility for high value, long duration contracts
- A more disciplined internal view of procurement and workforce planning
- Competitive advantage over suppliers with lower or uncertified scores
Benefits of Improving Your ICV Score
Frequently Asked Questions
ICV certification is an independent verification of a company’s In Country Value score, measuring its contribution to the UAE economy through local spending, Emiratization, and local production.
Any supplier or contractor bidding for projects with ADNOC or other government linked entities in the UAE typically needs a valid ICV certificate to qualify for tender participation.
Depending on how complete the company’s financial and workforce records are, the process usually takes a few weeks from initial assessment to final certificate issuance.
Common requirements include the trade license, audited financial statements, payroll and Emiratization records, procurement invoices, and fixed asset details.
It is not mandatory for every business, but it is generally required for companies seeking to supply or contract with ADNOC and similar entities that follow the ICV framework.
ICV certificates are typically valid for one year, after which a renewed assessment and certification are required to maintain an active score.
