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Trade License Dubai: Complete 2025 Guide (Cost, Renewal, Online Check & Activities)

Trade License Dubai: Complete 2025 Guide (Cost, Renewal, Online Check & Activities)

 

1) What is a Trade License?

A trade license is the official document that allows your company to legally conduct business in the UAE. It’s issued by the relevant economic authority (mainland) or a free zone authority and is required for bank account opening, visas, and day-to-day operations.

2) Types of Trade Licenses (Dubai & UAE)

  • Commercial License – for buying/selling goods, e-commerce, services tied to trade.

  • Professional License – for services/consultancy (IT, marketing, design, training, etc.).

  • Industrial License – for manufacturing/processing activities.

  • General Trading License – umbrella licence that lets you trade in a wide range of goods (often broader than a standard commercial licence).

  • Free Zone Licences – issued by individual free zones with their own activity lists and packages.

  • Specialty Licences – sector-specific (media, health, finance, education, food, logistics) that may need external approvals.

3) Trade License Cost (Dubai & Other Emirates)

Exact fees vary by activity, authority, number of visas, premises, and speed (Standard vs VIP). Present transparent packages on your site like this:

  • Trade Name & Initial Approval – authority charges

  • Licence Issuance (1 year) – depends on activity type (commercial/professional/industrial/general trading)

  • Corporate Docs – MOA/LSA drafting & notarisation where applicable

  • Office/Facility – flexi-desk, shared office, dedicated office, warehouse/retail unit

  • Immigration & Establishment Card

  • Visa Costs (per person) – entry permit, status change, medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping

  • External Approvals – food, health, education, finance, media, transport, engineering, etc.

  • Renewal & Compliance – annual licence renewal, UBO/ESR, accounting/audit (where required)

4) How to Get a Trade License in Dubai (Step-by-Step)

  1. Choose Activities & Legal Form – LLC, Sole Establishment/Professional, Civil Company, Free-Zone Company, Branch.

  2. Pick Jurisdiction – Mainland (sell anywhere in UAE) vs Free Zone (simplified packages, customs benefits).

  3. Name & Initial Approval – reserve trade name and secure initial approval.

  4. Lease/Facility – Ejari (mainland) or free-zone facility (flexi-desk/office/warehouse/retail).

  5. Corporate Documents – MOA/Articles, shareholder IDs, manager appointment.

  6. Pay Fees & Issue License – receive your trade licence.

  7. Immigration Setup & Visas – establishment card → visas (investor/partner/employees).

  8. Bank Account – prepare KYC pack (business plan, sample contracts/invoices, source of funds).

  9. Tax & Compliance – VAT/corporate tax registrations if applicable; bookkeeping and ESR/UBO where required.

5) Trade License Renewal Dubai (Online)

When: renew annually; start 30–45 days before expiry to avoid late fines.
Steps:

  • Validate lease/Ejari or free-zone facility renewal

  • Clear fines (if any) and ensure insurance (where mandated)

  • Submit renewal request via the official portal/service center

  • Pay renewal fees and download updated e-licence

  • Renew related immigration/establishment card and visas as needed

6) Trade License Check & Verification (Dubai / Abu Dhabi / Sharjah / Ajman)

You can verify a company or download/print a copy of your licence via the relevant authority portals.

What you’ll usually need:

  • Licence number or trade name

  • Company legal form and emirate

  • Sometimes the establishment card or owner details

Tasks users search for: dubai trade license check, dubai trade license verification, uae trade license check, abu dhabi trade license check, sharjah/ajman trade license check, “how to check trade license online,” “how to print/download trade license”.

Tip: Add a small help box on your page listing the exact fields to enter for each emirate’s portal to lower support queries.

7) Adding Activities to a Trade License

  • Review activity list (authority/free zone) and pick the closest standard activity.

  • Confirm if the new activity requires external approval (e.g., food, health, education, transport, financial).

  • File amendment: add activity, update MOA if required, pay amendment fees, and reissue licence.

  • If adding an activity that changes licence type (e.g., to General Trading), expect different pricing and facility needs.

8) General Trading License (vs Commercial)

  • A General Trading License typically lets you trade a wide scope of goods under one licence (more categories than a standard commercial licence).

  • Often preferred for companies handling multiple product lines or import/export.

  • Expect higher base fees and, for some authorities, stricter facility or share capital expectations.

  • E-commerce can be added as an activity or handled as a separate online trading/e-commerce setup depending on the authority.

9) Common Fees & Compliance (market/municipality, VAT, corporate tax)

  • Market/Municipality & Knowledge/Innovation fees: may apply depending on emirate/activity.

  • VAT (5%): register when you hit thresholds or voluntarily if it benefits input VAT recovery.

  • Corporate Tax: standard UAE corporate tax applies to qualifying business profits; maintain proper bookkeeping.

  • UBO / ESR / Audit: ensure filings where applicable; some zones/activities require annual audit.

  • Updates: if you change address, activities, shareholders, or manager, amend your licence promptly and update banks/FTA/Ministries.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

Q1: How much does a trade license cost in Dubai?
It depends on activity, jurisdiction, premises, number of visas, and approvals. Present package tiers (Basic / Fast-Track / All-Inclusive) with clear inclusions and exclusions.

Q2: How do I renew a trade license online in Dubai?
Renew facility/lease → submit renewal in the portal → pay fees → download updated licence. Start 30–45 days before expiry.

Q3: What’s the difference between a commercial and a general trading licence?
Commercial covers specific listed activities; General Trading allows a broader range of goods under one licence (usually higher fees).

Q4: Can a free-zone trade licence sell onshore in the UAE?
Direct onshore selling often requires a local distributor/agent or an onshore branch arrangement.

Q5: How do I check/verify a trade licence?
Use the emirate/free-zone portal’s search/verification feature with your licence number or trade name to view status and download/print.

Q6: Can I add new activities later?
Yes. File an amendment; some activities need external approvals and updated MOA/licence reissue.

Q7: What is the cheapest trade license in the UAE?
Typically free-zone starter packages with a flexi-desk and limited visas. Compare renewal costs and hidden add-ons before choosing.

Need a Trade License in Dubai—Fast & Hassle-Free?


We handle licensing, activity selection, external approvals, visas, banking, VAT/tax and annual renewal—end-to-end.

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Email: hello@thedubaipro.com

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