Trade license renewal fees in Dubai (2026)

A trade licence is renewed every year, and the renewal bill is not the same as the setup bill. The one-off items fall away, but the licence, the office or desk, the establishment card and any service charge come back. Residence visas follow their own cycle, usually every two years.

Our price benchmark covers first-year typical ranges, not published renewal fee schedules, so the totals below are a budgeting guide built from those ranges. Renewal quotes can differ from year-one prices, which is why you should get the renewal figure in writing before you sign.

Annual items to budget for at renewal

These are the same typical market ranges used on our other cost pages, not published renewal schedules. Visa renewals are extra and fall due when each visa expires.

Annual renewal budget by company type

Adding the licence, office, establishment card and annual PRO services gives these typical yearly totals before visas:

• {'Free zone with a flexi desk': 'about AED 11,000–26,500'}
• {'Mainland with a business centre office': 'about AED 18,000–38,500'}
• {'Offshore': 'about AED 8,000–13,000 if renewal is priced like registration'}

How often must a Dubai trade licence be renewed?

Meydan Free Zone's renewal guide states that Dubai trade licences are valid for 12 months and must be renewed every year, with a 30-day grace period after expiry. It says expired licences can disrupt banking, visas and contracts, and that long delays can lead to cancellation. Treat the grace period as a buffer, not a plan: grace periods and late charges are set by the licensing authority, so confirm the current figures with it. We have not quoted a late fine because published figures disagree.

What you need ready for a mainland renewal

For Dubai mainland companies, Meydan Free Zone's guide says a valid Ejari lease is mandatory, along with a copy of the trade licence and passport and Emirates ID copies for all shareholders. External approvals may be needed depending on the activity. The UAE government confirms that in Dubai the office tenancy agreement must be registered with Ejari, so renew the tenancy before the licence.

Do free zone and mainland renewals cost the same?

No. Free zone renewals are priced by each zone and often tied to the package, while a mainland renewal also depends on the office. Meydan Free Zone says the fee is typically based on the business activity and licence type. Some free zones let you add or change activities and visa allocations at renewal, which can change the price.

What can raise your renewal bill

• A changed or added business activity
• Added visa allocations or a larger office
• Missing the renewal date and paying late charges
• A year-one promotional price that does not repeat in year two

How to renew without surprises

1. 1

   Ask for the renewal price now

   Get the year-two figure in writing before you sign the setup.

2. 2

   Renew the office first

   A mainland licence renewal needs a valid tenancy registered with Ejari.

3. 3

   Renew before expiry

   Aim to finish inside the 12-month validity, not the grace period.

4. 4

   Plan visa renewals separately

   Visas renew when each one expires, usually every two years.

Things to weigh up

• The annual ranges are budgeting estimates built from typical market prices, not official renewal fee schedules.
• Late fines and grace periods differ by authority, so check the current rule before the expiry date.
• Fees depend on activity and licence type.
• Another emirate's authority sets its own fees; these figures are Dubai benchmarks.