Trade Licenses and Business Permits in the UAE

Getting your business off the ground in the UAE starts with the right trade license. Without it, you can’t legally operate — but with the right guidance, the process can be quick and stress-free. Whether you’re opening a shop, launching a tech startup, or setting up a branch of an international company, the right license keeps you compliant and ready to trade.

What are trade license services in the UAE?

A trade license is the official green light for doing business here, and the services around it cover the whole journey of getting one. That means picking the right license type — commercial, professional, or industrial — getting your business name approved, putting your documents in order, and filing them with the right authority. In many cases, there are extra permits or approvals involved, depending on your activity. Good trade license services take care of all this for you, so you don’t lose weeks figuring out the system on your own.

How to get a business trade license in the UAE?

Getting a license doesn’t have to be complicated. The UAE has streamlined most of the process, but there are still a few steps you need to follow in the right order.

Step 1: Choose your business activity

First, you need to be clear about what your firm will do. The UAE government has a list of more than 2,000 permitted activities, including manufacturing, e-commerce, and consulting. It's vital to choose the appropriate one since it will determine what kind of license you acquire and what permissions you may need later.

Step 2: Submit the application and documents

Once you know your activity, you prepare the paperwork. This usually means a copy of your passport or Emirates ID, your trade name choice, and, if you’re setting up a company, your Memorandum of Association. Free zones and mainland authorities have slightly different requirements, so it’s smart to double-check before submitting. Applications are filed online through the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the free zone portal.

Step 3: Pay the fees and receive your license

After approval, you pay the license fee. Costs depend on the activity, jurisdiction, and number of visas you need. Once payment is made, the authority issues your trade license — sometimes within a few hours for simple activities. You can then open a bank account, sign leases, and officially start doing business.

How much does a trade license service in the UAE cost?

The official cost to issue a trade license in the Dubai mainland is AED 1,070, as listed on the Invest in Dubai portal. This is the government’s base fee and applies to the license itself; businesses must still pay for name reservation, initial approvals, external permits, and office rent if required.

For free zones, each authority publishes its own schedule of charges. For example, DMCC lists a one-time new company registration fee of AED 9,000, plus an annual license fee of AED 20,285 for standard activities. There is also a one-time application fee of AED 1,035 before registration is processed.

Because costs are set by each authority and depend on the type of license and activity, it is best to review the current schedule of charges directly on the government or free-zone website before applying.

What is included in business permit registration services?

Getting a business permit isn’t just about filling a form — there are a few moving parts. A proper service will check that your business name can be used, get the first green light from the economic department or free zone, pull your documents together, and file them in the right order. If your activity needs extra clearance — like health, safety, or municipality approval — that’s handled too, so you’re ready to operate without surprises.

How do business permit renewal services work in the UAE?

Renewals creep up faster than most business owners expect. Miss the date and you can end up paying fines or, worse, having your company frozen until the paperwork is fixed. A renewal service takes that stress off your plate — they remind you early, fix any missing documents, and deal with the authorities so you never lose a day of operations.

Why use professional business trade license services?

Sure, you can do it yourself — fill out the forms, stand in the lines, hope you picked the right box to tick. But one wrong step can send you back to the start.

• They know which office to go to and who to talk to.
• They fix your paperwork before it ever hits the desk.
• They cut out weeks of waiting by doing it in the right order.
• They handle renewals, so you don’t wake up to a fine.

It’s like having a local friend who knows the rules and just gets it done.