How to get a trade license in Dubai

A trade licence is the government permit that lets a company carry out a defined business activity. In Dubai it is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism for the mainland, or by the free zone authority for companies registered inside a zone. You cannot lawfully trade without one.

This guide focuses on the licence itself: which type you need, which approvals can hold it up, and the order of the application. For the wider picture of opening a company, see the company guide linked below.

What types of trade license are there in Dubai?

Dubai mainland licences fall into a few families, each tied to what the business does. Picking the wrong one means the licence will not cover the work you do, so choose by activity rather than by price.

• Commercial: buying and selling goods and services, including import, export and logistics
• Professional: services based on intellectual or artistic skill, such as consulting or design
• Industrial: manufacturing, production and packaging
• E-trader: home-based sellers using social media or online platforms
• Dual: lets some free zone companies operate on the mainland without extra office space or a local partner

What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone trade license?

A mainland licence is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and lets you trade directly in the local market, with an Ejari office. A free zone licence is issued by the zone, normally as a package, and is limited to the activities that zone permits.

Ask which authority will issue your licence before you compare prices, because the fees, office rules and renewal process all follow from it.

Which activities need extra approvals?

The licence is not always issued on initial approval alone. Regulated activities need a permit from the competent authority, and some must be obtained before the initial approval is requested.

• Telecommunications (TDRA) and banks, money exchange, insurance and other financial institutions (Central Bank)
• Financial consultation, share broking and investment advisory (Securities and Commodities Authority)
• Publishing, printing, advertising, film and photography (National Media Council)
• Manpower supply and recruitment, travel agencies with ticketing, land transport, and auditing

How long does a trade license last?

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism lists its trade licence as valid for one year, after which it must be renewed. Note your renewal date at issue, because the tenancy and any activity approvals must also be valid at renewal. See the renewal guide for the process.

How to get a Dubai trade licence

1. 1

   Match your activity to a licence type

   Commercial covers buying and selling goods and services. Professional covers services based on intellectual or artistic skill. Industrial covers manufacturing. E-trader covers home-based sellers using social media or online platforms.

2. 2

   Check foreign ownership and activity approvals

   Some activities need a no-objection or permit from another authority first, for example telecommunications, financial services, media or manpower supply. Find out before you apply.

3. 3

   Reserve your trade name

   The name should fit the activity and legal form, end with the legal form where required, and not duplicate a registered name. Avoid religious names, authority names and external logos.

4. 4

   Apply for initial approval

   The authority reviews the application and gives initial approval for your activity. Only then do you move on to the lease.

5. 5

   Register your premises

   A mainland licence needs a lease registered with Ejari. A free zone licence needs the zone's lease, flexi desk or virtual office agreement.

6. 6

   Sign the memorandum and collect approvals

   Where the legal form needs a memorandum of association, it is signed and attested. Add the activity approvals from step 2.

7. 7

   Pay the fees and collect the licence

   Fees are paid against a payment voucher. The UAE government portal says a mainland trade licence fee must be paid within 30 days of the voucher, or the application is cancelled.

Documents you typically need

• Passport copy, and Emirates ID plus residence visa if the applicant lives in the UAE
• Initial approval receipt
• Trade name reservation
• Tenancy contract registered with Ejari (mainland) or the free zone lease or flexi desk agreement
• Memorandum of association, where the legal form requires one
• Activity approvals from other authorities, where the activity is regulated
• Parent company licence and board resolutions, if the applicant is a branch of another company

Things to weigh up

• Prices are typical market ranges for the licence alone, not quotes. Approvals, visas and office costs are extra.
• The activity list is long and wording matters. Ask for the exact activity name that will appear on your licence.
• A trade licence is a different thing from a residence visa. A licence does not by itself give you the right to live in the UAE.