Commercial License
in Dubai
What is a Commercial License?
A commercial license in Dubai is a permit issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that lets a business buy, sell, import, or export goods. It costs roughly AED 10,000 to AED 70,000 depending on your activities, jurisdiction, and visa needs, and takes about 5 to 15 working days to obtain once your documents are ready.
Activities Covered by Commercial License Dubai
Some of the activities that require a Commercial License Dubai, UAE are as follows
- Automobiles
- Computer Systems and Communication Equipment
- Contracting
- Foodstuffs
- Furniture
- Medical and Surgical Equipment
- Readymade Garments
- Software
Advantages of Commercial License Dubai
- You can undertake up to ten allied commercial activities with a single Commercial License
- You are allowed to fully repatriate your capital and profits
- You can hire as many foreign workers as you want, as long as you have the commercial space to employ them
- You can import items from abroad and/or export them overseas
Documents Required for a Commercial License Dubai
You’ll need a completed application form, passport copies, a tenancy contract, DET trade name approval, a notarized MOA, a business plan, and proof of fee payment. Certain activities require additional NOCs or third-party approvals.
Standard document checklist:
- Application form with company name in English & Arabic
- Original leasing contract for registered office
- Permission letter from Dubai municipality to use the office as a business address
- Department of Economic Development approval letter of the trade name
- Payment proof for the license
- Passport size color photos of the applicants
- NOC certificate
- Letter of intent of business
- Complete business plan
- Shared capital details
- Financial statements
- Notarized copy of Registry Identification form
How to Get a Commercial License Dubai
Choose your activity and legal structure, reserve your trade name, get initial approval, draft your MOA, secure office space, submit your documents, pay the fees, and collect your license. Most straightforward cases complete in 5 to 10 working days.
- Select your business activity. Confirm it falls under the commercial category and check if it needs external approval.
- Choose your legal structure. LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Civil Company, or Branch Office, based on shareholder count and liability preference.
- Reserve your trade name. DET checks availability; reservation typically costs AED 620–2,000.
- Apply for initial approval. This confirms DET has no objection to your business concept, but it isn’t the license itself.
- Draft and notarize your MOA/AOA. Required for any LLC with more than one shareholder.
- Secure your office lease. Register it through Ejari; free zones may allow a flexi-desk instead.
- Submit your full document set and pay fees. Includes the license fee, Chamber of Commerce registration, and any activity-specific charges.
- Receive your commercial license. You can now legally trade, sign contracts, open a corporate bank account, and sponsor visas.
Founders without a UAE residence visa can often complete steps 1–7 through a Power of Attorney, then apply for their own investor visa once the license is issued.
Cost of a Commercial License in Dubai
The license fee alone typically ranges from AED 10,000 to AED 25,000. Once you add office rent, MOA notarization, an establishment card, and one investor visa, first-year total cost usually lands between AED 15,000 and AED 55,000 for a mainland setup.
There’s no single fixed price because cost depends on several variables at once:
Cost Component | Typical Range (AED) |
Trade name reservation | 620 – 2,000 |
Initial approval | 100 – 500 |
Commercial license fee | 10,000 – 25,000 |
MOA notarization | 1,000 – 2,000 |
Chamber of Commerce registration | 620 – 1,200 |
Office lease / Ejari (varies widely by location) | 15,000 – 40,000+ per year |
Establishment card | 1,500 – 2,000 |
Per investor visa | 3,500 – 7,000 |
E-commerce activity add-on (if needed) | 5,000 – 10,000 |
Renewal, Cancellation & Compliance
Late renewal triggers a daily fine that increases the longer the license stays lapsed, and a fully expired license can block visa renewals, bank transactions, and contract enforcement until it’s reinstated.
A commercial license is valid for one year and renews annually by paying the renewal fee and updating your lease documentation. Cancelling a license instead of renewing it involves settling outstanding fines, cancelling visas tied to the company, and paying a cancellation fee, typically around AED 1,500, before deregistration is complete.
You cannot convert a commercial license directly into a professional or industrial license. The correct route is cancelling the existing license and applying fresh under the new category, which means paying the full license fee again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Commercial Trade?
Commercial trade is the buying and selling of good and services which is a key activity covered by a commercial trade license in Dubai.
A&A Associate supports entrepreneurs in obtaining their business license in Dubai and timely renewal of the same.
How Can I Get a Commercial License in the UAE?
You’ll need to choose a business activity, legal structure, register a trade name, get initial approval, and then submit documents and pay the fees to apply for a license.
UAE has mind-blowing business opportunities; business setup Consultant in UAE can guide you through the entire company formation process!
What is the Difference Between a Trade License and a Commercial License in UAE?
A commercial license allows businesses to engage in trading activities. A trade license is a broad term for all types of business permits.
If you’re not consulting a business consultant, it will take up to few weeks and it’s becomes difficult to clear all the legal procedures. So, consider A&A for your free zone business setup!
Can I Hire Foreign Workers Under a Commercial License in Dubai?
You can hire foreign workers if you have a commercial license as long as you have the legal work permits from the relevant licensing authority.
Do I Need a Commercial License for a Healthcare Company in Dubai?
A healthcare company in Dubai needs a commercial license, but they also need special approvals and a separate facility license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to legally operate.
What is the Validity of a Commercial License in Dubai, And Can It Be Extended?
A commercial license in Dubai is valid for one year. You can renew your license every year by paying the renewal fees.
How Many Activities Can Be Provided Under a Commercial License in Dubai?
You can include up to 10 activities on a single commercial license as long as they are related activities that fall under the same business group.
Can I Apply for a Commercial License in Dubai at The Time of Company Incorporation?
You need to apply for a commercial license when you’re incorporating a new company. A business setup consultant can help you with starting a new company.