A typing centre is a walk-in counter that prepares and submits government forms for anyone who turns up, transaction by transaction. A PRO works on behalf of one specific company, filing under that company's own MOHRE and DED logins, and handles the higher-stakes work a public counter is not authorised to do — new trade licences, investor visas, and company-level amendments. Both end up submitting paperwork to the same authorities, but who they act for, and what they are allowed to file, is not the same. This guide sets out the difference and what each one actually costs.
What a Typing Centre Does
- Serves anyone who walks in. No company relationship is needed, and each transaction is priced and handled on its own.
- Prepares and submits standard forms: visa typing, Emirates ID applications, attestation requests, tenancy (Ejari) contracts, and court typing.
- Works at the transaction level. It types and files what you bring; it does not manage your company's file, chase a renewal date, or flag a problem before it becomes one.
- A Tasheel-licensed centre can submit some filings under a company's authorisation, but a non-Tasheel centre can usually only prepare the paperwork, not file it.
Typing-service charges are consistently reported in the AED 50 to 150 range per visa or entry-permit transaction, and AED 40 to 100 for an Emirates ID form, separate from the government fee itself.
What a PRO Does
- Works on behalf of one company, filing under that company's own MOHRE, GDRFA and DED logins rather than as a walk-in service.
- Handles higher-stakes filings a typing centre is not set up for: new trade licences, investor and partner visas, labour quota management, and company amendments.
- Manages the file, not just the form. A PRO tracks renewal dates, cross-checks documents against the company's establishment card, books medical appointments, and follows up until the transaction clears.
- Can be in-house (an employee) or outsourced (a service provider), which is a separate decision covered in our guide to in-house versus outsourced PRO services.
Reported PRO pricing runs AED 1,500 to 3,000 a month on a small-company retainer, or AED 2,500 to 7,000 per employee visa handled on a pay-as-you-go basis, against roughly AED 200 to 500 per transaction at a typing centre. The PRO costs more per transaction because it is buying company-level management, not just a filled form.
Side by Side
| Typing centre | PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Works for | Anyone who walks in | One specific company |
| Files under | Its own counter authorisation, or the company’s if Tasheel-licensed | The company’s own MOHRE and DED logins |
| Can it open a new trade licence or an investor visa? | Generally no — preparation only | Yes |
| Tracks renewal dates and quotas | No | Yes |
| Typical cost | AED 50–150 per typing transaction | AED 200–500 per transaction, or AED 1,500–3,000+ a month on retainer |
| Best for | A one-off form or renewal you are handling yourself | Ongoing company government-liaison work |
Which One You Actually Need
- A typing centre is enough if you are handling your own visa or Emirates ID renewal, already know the process, and just need the form typed and filed correctly.
- A PRO is worth it once you are processing more than an occasional transaction, opening or amending a licence, or want someone accountable for tracking dates rather than remembering them yourself.
- Both mainland and free zone companies use PRO services. A mainland PRO typically deals with DED, MOHRE and GDRFA; a free zone PRO works through the specific free zone authority alongside MOHRE and GDRFA, and providers commonly cover both.
A Common Mix-Up
Treating a typing centre quote and a PRO quote as directly comparable is the most common confusion. A typing centre's AED 150 covers form preparation for one transaction; it does not include managing the underlying file, and it cannot open a new company licence. Compare what is actually included, not just the number on the quote.
Get the Right Service for the Task
Use a typing centre for a single form you are handling yourself. Use a PRO when the work is ongoing, tied to a company file, or beyond what a walk-in counter is authorised to submit. Takween Advisory provides PRO services for both mainland and free zone companies. Book a free consultation to see what fits your volume of work.