What is a Trade License
A UAE trade license is the primary legal authorization for a business to operate. It is issued by the competent licensing authority and specifies the legal form, permitted activities, and key administrative obligations (including renewals and any sector-specific approvals).
Who is it for / Suitable for
All individuals and entities conducting commercial, professional, or industrial activities in the UAE.
Investors assessing licensing pathways (mainland vs free zone) and operational scope.
Businesses requiring lawful ability to contract, invoice, and open corporate bank accounts.
Employers intending to sponsor residence visas through an establishment file where permitted.
Key Requirements
Selection of the correct business activity(ies) from the authority’s approved activity list.
Choice of legal form and ownership structure consistent with the intended operations and regulations.
Registered business address solution consistent with authority rules (e.g., lease/EJARI where required).
Completion of licensing application and payment of government fees; additional approvals may apply for regulated sectors.
Clients need to provide the following information / documents
Document Name
Notarized
Passport copies (shareholders/manager)
Identity verification for licensing file.
No
Proposed business activities
Must match intended operations and authority activity taxonomy.
No
Company name options
Subject to naming rules and availability.
No
Lease / EJARI or registered address evidence (as applicable)
Premises/address evidence depending on jurisdiction and activity.
No
Approvals for regulated activities (where applicable)
Sector approvals may be required prior to license issuance.
No
Average Processing Time
Typically 3–10 business days for standard activities, subject to jurisdiction, address readiness, document completeness, and any regulated approvals.
What you would get when the application is complete
Trade License Certificate
Commercial registration / company registration certificate (authority-dependent)
Licensed activity list reflected on the license
On-going Compliance Requirements
After completion, businesses must maintain ongoing compliance:
Annual license renewal and payment of applicable government fees.
Maintain an address/lease solution in compliance with authority requirements.
Maintain accurate shareholder/manager information and update records upon changes.
Comply with sector regulator conditions and filings where applicable (including tax/VAT obligations as triggered).
Government Agencies Involved
Government agencies involved / overseeing this application:
Department of Economy & Tourism (DET)
Mainland licensing authority in Dubai for many activities.
Free Zone Authority (where applicable)
Licensing and regulation for free zone entities within its jurisdiction.
Sector Regulators (where applicable)
Pre-approvals and ongoing oversight for regulated activities.
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