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What is a trade license in Dubai?
A trade license is the legal permit that lets a company operate in Dubai. It names the company, its legal form and the business activities it may carry out. Banks, landlords, payment providers and government portals all ask for it.
It is issued by one of two kinds of authority:
Types of trade license in Dubai
| License type | Covers | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Buying, selling and trading goods | General trading, import and export, e-commerce, retail |
| Professional | Services based on skills or qualifications | Consulting, marketing, IT, design, training |
| Industrial | Manufacturing and processing | Factories, workshops, assembly, packaging (see our industrial license service) |
| Tourism | Travel and hospitality businesses | Travel agencies, tour operators, holiday homes |
Your activity decides the license type, and the type decides the cost and the approvals. Search every activity code in our activities finder.
How much does a trade license cost in Dubai? (2026)
| License | License cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone (SPC, Shams) | from about AED 5,750 | No visa; flexi-desk included |
| Free zone in Dubai (Meydan) | from AED 12,500 | A Dubai address |
| Mainland professional (DET) | about AED 10,000 to 18,000 | Before office and visas |
| Mainland commercial (DET) | about AED 10,000 to 20,000 | Before office and visas |
| Mainland industrial (DET) | about AED 15,000 to 25,000+ | Extra municipal approvals |
What a mainland license really costs in year one
The license fee is only part of it. A typical first-year mainland setup with an office and one visa lands at about AED 25,000 to 60,000, made up of:
- DET license and approval fees
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- An office lease and Ejari (tenancy registration), which the mainland requires
- Dubai Chamber membership
- Establishment card and visas, if you need them
Estimate your own total with the setup cost calculator, or ask us for a fixed, itemised quote.
Get your exact trade license cost
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We will send a fixed, itemised quote for mainland and the cheapest free zone.
Get My Free QuoteMainland or free zone trade license?
| Mainland (DET) | Free zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can trade | Anywhere in the UAE, including a shop | Online, in the zone and internationally |
| Starting cost | Higher: about AED 10,000+ before office | Lower: from about AED 5,750 |
| Office | Physical office and Ejari usually required | Flexi-desk or shared workspace |
| Government contracts | Yes | Usually no |
| Ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% |
Compare both routes in full: mainland company setup and free zone company setup.
How to get a trade license in Dubai: 6 steps
- Choose your activity and legal form. This sets the license type and any extra approvals.
- Choose mainland or a free zone, based on where your customers are and your budget.
- Reserve your trade name and get initial approval.
- Sign the office lease (mainland) or the free zone workspace agreement.
- Submit documents and pay. The license is issued; on the mainland this goes through the Invest in Dubai portal.
- Establishment card, visas and bank account. Entityz supports each one.
Entityz handles all 6 steps. You approve, sign and start trading.
Documents required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Passport-size photos
- UAE visa and Emirates ID, if resident
- 3 proposed trade names
- Tenancy contract and Ejari (mainland)
- NOC from your current sponsor, where required
- Extra approvals for regulated activities, such as food, health or education
Dubai trade license renewal: cost and fines
A trade license is valid for one year and must be renewed before it expires.
| Mainland license | Typical renewal cost (all-in) |
|---|---|
| Professional | about AED 7,500 to 10,500 |
| Commercial | about AED 10,500 to 14,500 |
| Industrial | about AED 14,000 to 20,000 |
- What you need: a valid Ejari (tenancy registration), any activity approvals still in date, and no outstanding fines.
- Late renewal: fines of about AED 250 for each month the license stays expired, with further penalties, blocked visa renewals and eventually cancellation if it is left for months.
- 2026 relief: Dubai's AED 1 billion support package deferred part of the mainland renewal fees for three months from 1 April 2026. That window has closed, so check the amount on your payment voucher.
- Free zone licenses renew with the free zone authority, usually at about the same price as the first year.
Entityz renews your license for you as part of our PRO services, and reminds you before it expires.
How to check a Dubai trade license online
You can check any Dubai mainland trade license for free on the Invest in Dubai license search (app.invest.dubai.ae). Search by license number or company name to see:
- Whether the license is active or expired
- The company's legal name and legal form
- The licensed business activities
- The expiry date
Checking a supplier's or partner's license before you pay them is a quick way to avoid fraud. Free zone licenses are checked on each free zone's own portal.
Why get your trade license with Entityz
- The right license type the first time, so you do not pay for the wrong activity or reissue it later
- Mainland and every major free zone compared against your budget and where your customers are
- Setup and renewal in one place, with reminders before expiry
- A fixed, itemised quote before you pay anything
Entityz has set up businesses for more than 500 entrepreneurs from over 50 nationalities, with a 95% client retention rate.
General information, not legal or tax advice. License and renewal prices are market figures gathered in September 2026; official DET and free zone fees are set by each authority and change from time to time. We confirm the current cost for your activities, office and visas before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a trade license cost in Dubai?
A free zone trade license starts from about AED 5,750. A mainland DET license usually costs about AED 10,000 to 20,000 for the license itself, and a typical first year with an office and one visa lands at about AED 25,000 to 60,000.
What are the types of trade license in Dubai?
The main types are commercial (trading goods), professional (services), industrial (manufacturing) and tourism. Your business activity decides which one you need.
How much is trade license renewal in Dubai?
A mainland renewal typically costs about AED 7,500 to 10,500 for a professional license, AED 10,500 to 14,500 for a commercial license and AED 14,000 to 20,000 for an industrial license, all-in.
What is the fine for late trade license renewal in Dubai?
About AED 250 for each month the license stays expired, with further penalties, blocked visa renewals and eventually cancellation if it is left unrenewed for months.
How can I check a Dubai trade license online?
Use the free license search on the Invest in Dubai portal. Search by license number or company name to see the status, legal form, activities and expiry date.
Can a foreigner get a trade license in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of a free zone company and, for most activities, 100% of a mainland company.
How long does it take to get a trade license in Dubai?
Free zone licenses are often issued within a few working days. A mainland license can take longer, depending on approvals and the office lease.
Mainland or free zone: which trade license is better?
Choose mainland if you need a shop, government contracts or to trade directly across the UAE. Choose a free zone if you sell online or internationally and want the lowest cost.
Ready to start your UAE business?
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