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Trade licence services in Dubai
Trade Licence

Trade Licence Services in Dubai

Expert assistance for obtaining, renewing, and amending your Dubai trade licence — whether you are operating on the mainland through DED or within a free zone.

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A trade licence is the foundation of every legitimate business in Dubai. Before any company can begin operations, trade, or provide services in the UAE, it must hold a valid trade licence issued by the relevant authority — either the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland businesses, or the relevant free zone authority for companies operating within a designated zone. The trade licence is not simply an administrative formality. It defines the specific activities your company is legally permitted to conduct, establishes your legal entity type, and serves as the primary document required for opening a corporate bank account, sponsoring visas, entering into commercial contracts, and demonstrating compliance to regulators and partners. This page covers everything you need to know about obtaining a trade licence in Dubai — the types available, the process, the documents required, and the common mistakes to avoid. If you need help with an existing licence, see our dedicated pages for trade licence renewal, licence amendment, and business activity amendment.

Types of Trade Licences in Dubai

Commercial Licence

Issued for trading, buying, and selling activities — including import and export, retail, wholesale, distribution, and general commercial trading. The most widely held licence type for businesses engaged in the movement of goods.

Professional Licence

Issued for service-based businesses, consultancies, and professional practices — including management consulting, marketing, IT services, legal advisory, accounting, engineering, and healthcare services. Ownership and governance rules may vary depending on the specific profession.

Industrial Licence

Issued for manufacturing, production, and industrial activities that involve the transformation of raw materials into finished goods. Requires a physical production facility and relevant environmental or sector approvals.

Tourism Licence

Issued for travel agencies, tour operators, hotel establishments, and hospitality businesses under the supervision of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Additional approvals from DTCM are required.

E-Commerce Licence

A commercial licence variant for businesses operating primarily through digital channels — selling goods or services online. Available on both the mainland and in free zones, with specific zones catering to digital commerce businesses.

How to Obtain a Trade Licence in Dubai

1

Activity Selection and Initial Approval

We review your proposed business activities, confirm their availability and regulatory requirements, and obtain initial approval from the DED or free zone authority. This approval confirms that your chosen activities and trade name are acceptable.

2

Trade Name Reservation

We check the availability of your chosen trade name, verify compliance with naming rules, and submit the reservation to the relevant authority. You receive a trade name reservation certificate valid for 30 days.

3

Document Preparation

We prepare all required documents including the Memorandum of Association (for mainland LLCs), shareholder documents, and any sector-specific approval applications. For mainland companies, we also coordinate the Ejari office lease registration.

4

Sector Approvals (Where Required)

For regulated activities, we submit applications to the relevant sector authority (DHA, RERA, SCA, etc.) in parallel with or prior to the main licence application, depending on the required sequence.

5

Licence Application Submission

We submit the complete application to the DED or free zone authority, including all documents, approvals, and fee payments. We track the application status and respond to any queries from the authority.

6

Licence Collection and Verification

Once approved, we collect your trade licence and verify that all details (activities, trade name, shareholder details, address) are correct. We then proceed with the visa and banking steps as required.

General Document Requirements

  • Passport copies of all shareholders and managers (minimum 6 months validity)
  • Passport-size photographs on white background
  • Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, within 3 months)
  • Trade name reservation certificate
  • Ejari tenancy contract (mainland companies)
  • Facility agreement (free zone companies)
  • Memorandum of Association (mainland LLCs — drafted and notarised)
  • Sector approval certificates (where applicable)
  • No Objection Certificate (if shareholders are currently employed in the UAE)

Indicative Costs

Costs are indicative and vary based on licence type, business activity, jurisdiction, and government fee schedules which are subject to change. Contact us for a current, itemised estimate.
Item Cost
DET commercial licence issuance AED 10,000 – 18,000
DET professional licence issuance AED 8,000 – 15,000
Free zone licence issuance (entry-level zone) AED 10,000 – 14,000
Free zone licence issuance (premium zone, e.g. DMCC) AED 18,000 – 35,000
Trade name reservation fee AED 600 – 1,000
Annual licence renewal (DET mainland) AED 8,000 – 18,000
Annual licence renewal (free zone) AED 8,000 – 30,000
Activity amendment (per activity, DET) AED 1,000 – 2,500

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a trade licence in Dubai?
A mainland DED trade licence can typically be obtained within 3–7 working days once all documents are in order and any required sector approvals are obtained. Free zone licences vary by zone — straightforward applications can be completed in as little as 2–3 working days, while complex applications or those requiring regulatory approvals may take longer.

Can I start operating before I receive my trade licence?
No. You must hold a valid trade licence before commencing any commercial activity in the UAE. Operating without a licence is a violation of UAE commercial law and can result in penalties, premises closure, and difficulties obtaining a licence subsequently.

Can I add activities to my trade licence after it is issued?
Yes. You can add or remove business activities through a trade licence amendment. This is a formal application to the issuing authority with the associated government fee. If the new activities require sector approvals, those must be obtained first. See our dedicated business activity amendment page for full details on the process.

What happens if I operate outside my licensed activities?
Operating outside your licensed activities constitutes unlicensed commercial activity in the UAE. This can result in fines from the DED or the free zone authority, potential licence suspension, and complications with your corporate bank account if the bank identifies transactions inconsistent with your stated business purpose.

Do I need a separate licence for each business activity?
Not necessarily. Multiple related activities can often be included on a single trade licence. However, some activities require separate licences (for example, if you operate in both the mainland and a free zone, or if you have both a commercial and a professional activity that the DED classifies separately). We advise on the optimal structure for your specific activity mix.

Is a free zone trade licence valid for the whole UAE?
A free zone trade licence is valid for operations within the free zone and internationally. It does not, by default, permit direct commercial transactions within the UAE mainland. For mainland trading, a separate DED licence or an approved dual licence arrangement is required.

Can a trade licence be held in someone else's name?
The trade licence must accurately reflect the actual shareholders and managers of the company. Nominee arrangements — where a licence is held in a third party's name on behalf of the real owner — are not a compliant structure and carry significant legal risk. All parties named on the licence must be genuinely involved in the company.

What is the grace period for trade licence renewal in Dubai?
Most UAE trade licences have a 30-day grace period after the expiry date during which you can renew without a late fine. After 30 days, monthly penalties begin to accumulate. After 6 months without renewal, the licence may be administratively cancelled and reinstatement requires paying all fines plus a reinstatement fee.

What happens if my trade licence expires while I have active visas?
Investor and employee visas sponsored by an expired trade licence cannot be renewed. If the licence is not reinstated, affected visa holders may need to change status or exit the UAE. This makes timely renewal critical for anyone whose UAE residency is tied to the company.

Can I get an instant trade licence in Dubai?
Yes, for eligible activities. Dubai's DED and several free zones offer instant licence issuance (5–10 minutes) for non-regulated activities such as consulting, trading, and e-commerce, where all documents are submitted digitally and no pre-approvals are required. Regulated activities (healthcare, financial services, real estate, food) require standard processing timelines.

What activities require additional regulatory approvals?
Construction, healthcare, real estate brokerage, education, food production and service, energy, and virtual asset / cryptocurrency activities all require approvals from sector regulators (DET, DHA, RERA, KHDA, Dubai Municipality, VARA respectively) before or alongside the trade licence application. These add time and cost to the setup process.
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.