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Business activity amendment on a Dubai trade licence
Activity Amendment

Business Activity Amendment in Dubai

Add, remove, or change the business activities listed on your Dubai trade licence — ensuring your company is always authorised to do what it actually does.

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In the UAE, every commercial activity a company conducts must be specifically authorised on its trade licence. A business activity amendment is the formal process for adding new activities, removing redundant ones, or changing your activity classification with the Department of Economic Development (DED) on the mainland or your free zone authority. Operating outside your licensed activities — even in areas closely adjacent to what you already do — is a compliance violation that can result in fines, account restrictions, and complications with regulatory filings. As businesses grow and evolve, keeping licensed activities in sync with actual operations is an ongoing responsibility that requires timely and accurate management. This page explains when and why you need a business activity amendment in Dubai, the approval requirements for different activity types, and the process we follow to complete amendments efficiently. For other types of licence changes, see our trade licence amendment page. For annual renewal, see our trade licence renewal service.

Business Activity Amendment Process

1

Activity Review and Selection

We review your proposed new activities, identify the correct activity codes in the DED or free zone database, and flag any that require sector-specific regulatory approval.

2

Regulatory Pre-Approval (Where Applicable)

For regulated activities, we prepare and submit the sector approval application to DHA, RERA, SCA, VARA, or other relevant authority, as required. This step must precede or run concurrently with the trade licence amendment.

3

Amendment Application Submission

We submit the activity amendment application to the DED or free zone authority, including all required documents and fee payments.

4

Updated Licence Issuance

Once the amendment is approved, the updated trade licence is issued showing the new or revised activity list. We collect and deliver this to you.

5

Associated Updates

We advise on any associated updates required — such as notifying your bank, updating your company profile documents, or modifying your MOA if the activity change affects the company's purpose clause.

Amendment Requirements

  • Current trade licence copy
  • List of activities to add, remove, or modify
  • Sector approval certificates — for regulated activities
  • Updated company documents — where the MOA purpose clause requires revision
  • Shareholder passports — if any documents need refreshing
  • Government amendment fee payment

Frequently asked questions

How long does a business activity amendment take in Dubai?
For non-regulated activities, a standard DED activity amendment typically takes 2–5 working days from submission of a complete application. Amendments requiring sector pre-approvals take longer — the total timeline depends on the sector authority's processing time, which can range from a few days to several weeks for complex regulated activities such as financial services or healthcare.

Can I add any activity to my existing licence?
Most commercial and professional activities can be added to an existing licence of the same category. Some activities require a different licence category (for example, adding industrial manufacturing to a commercial licence may not be possible — a separate industrial licence may be needed). Regulated activities require sector approval. We advise on the correct approach for your specific situation.

Does changing my business activities affect my corporate bank account?
It can. Banks monitor the alignment between your stated activities and your actual transactions. If your new activities involve different transaction types or payment flows, updating your bank's records with the amended licence is important. Proactively informing your bank of a significant activity expansion is good practice.

What is the cost of a business activity amendment in Dubai?
The DED charges a per-activity fee for each activity added. The exact fee depends on the activity type and current DED fee schedule. Free zones have their own amendment fee structures. Regulated activities carry additional costs for the sector approval process. We provide a full cost breakdown before proceeding.

Does adding a regulated activity change my visa quota?
Activity changes do not directly change your visa quota. For mainland companies, the visa quota is set by office size. For free zones, it is set by the package tier. However, certain regulated roles may require specific visa categories, and some regulated activities require the named manager to meet professional qualification criteria.

What if I have been operating an unlicensed activity?
If you have been conducting activities not currently on your licence, the correct action is to process the amendment promptly. We can help you identify the right activity codes and manage the amendment. Proactively regularising your position is preferable to waiting for a compliance query from the DED, your free zone authority, or your bank.
The information on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional advice. Regulations in the UAE may change. Please contact us or consult a licensed professional for specific advice tailored to your situation.