A trade license is the legal permission for a company to carry out specific business activities in Dubai. Every company needs one, it lists exactly what the company may do, and it has to be renewed, normally every year. Here's how the system works.
Who issues trade licenses in Dubai?
Mainland licenses are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Free zone licenses are issued by the authority of the free zone where the company is registered, such as DMCC, DAFZA or IFZA. The issuing authority decides which activities are available, the office requirements and the fees.
The main types of trade license
Licenses follow the nature of the activity:
- Commercial license: buying and selling goods, import and export, general trading
- Professional license: services, consultancy, skilled trades and creative professions
- Industrial license: manufacturing, assembly and processing, usually with extra approvals
What you need to apply
Typical requirements are passport copies of shareholders and managers, trade name options, initial approval, an office lease (Ejari on the mainland), a memorandum of association for LLCs, and any external approvals the activity needs. Corporate shareholders also need attested company documents. The trade license processing page lists these in full.
Renewal and changes
Licenses are renewed before expiry, usually with a valid tenancy contract and, in many free zones, audited financial statements. Late renewal leads to fines and can block visa and labour transactions. To add activities, change the trade name or change shareholders, you file an amendment. See corporate amendments.
Choosing activities correctly
Most licensing problems start with the wrong activity: too narrow for how the business actually invoices, or one that brings unnecessary approvals. We check this before applying through business activity consultation.
This article gives general information about UAE rules as at the date shown and is not legal or tax advice. Requirements change, so confirm the current position with the relevant authority or speak to our team.