Trade licence in Dubai
Your trade licence decides what you can do, where you can do it and which approvals you need. We help you choose the right licence type and route — mainland or free zone — and follow the application through to the authority's decision.
Types of trade licence
| Commercial | Buying and selling goods and services, including import and export |
| Professional | Services based on personal skills, qualifications or creative work — consultancies, agencies, technical services |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, production, processing and packaging |
| Tourism | Tour operators, travel agencies and similar businesses, licensed through DET's tourism services |
| Other formats | eTrader (home-based online selling), Instant Licence, and dual licences for free zone companies working on the mainland |
On the Dubai mainland, licences are issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) through the Invest in Dubai platform. Since December 2023, DET has been issuing a Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) number with a QR code to mainland and free zone businesses. In a free zone, the licence is issued by the free zone authority.
General trading licence
A general trading licence allows trading in many unrelated product groups under one licence — useful for importers, re-exporters and suppliers with a broad catalogue. On the mainland, DET treats general trading as a special activity with higher fees than a single trading activity. In free zones, general trading is offered by, among others, RAKEZ, Meydan Free Zone, IFZA, Dubai CommerCity, Ajman Free Zone and SPC Free Zone. Goods that need special approval — medicines, food, chemicals or controlled items — still need that approval, whatever the licence says.
How a Dubai mainland licence is issued
- Choose the business activities and the legal form (for example an LLC or a sole establishment).
- Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval from DET.
- Draft and sign the memorandum of association, and a local service agent agreement where the legal form requires one (for example, some professional forms owned by non-GCC nationals).
- Secure premises — an office or other location with an Ejari-registered lease.
- Obtain any approvals from other authorities that your activities need.
- Submit the documents and pay the licence fees — the payment voucher must be paid within 30 days, or the application is cancelled.
For some legal forms, DET's Instant Licence lets the licence be issued in one step, with the remaining approvals completed afterwards.
Ownership
The general requirement for an Emirati majority shareholder was removed by Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, and Dubai opened more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities to full foreign ownership from 1 June 2021. The rule now sits in the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. Activities of strategic impact — such as security and defence, banking and insurance, telecoms and Hajj and Umrah services — follow separate ownership rules under Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021.
How we help
We start with a short online meeting about what you will sell, to whom and where. We then recommend the licence type and route — mainland or free zone — prepare and submit the application, follow up on approvals, and support you with the establishment card, visas, bank account and Corporate Tax registration. Approvals are always decided by the licensing authorities.
Once you are licensed, our tax & accounting team at pbz.ae can handle bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax — see Corporate Tax services.
Sources: u.ae — Steps to start a business on the mainland (updated July 2026); Dubai Digital Authority — Starting a business; DET Al Wajeez guide; Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020; Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies, as amended; Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (mainland permits for Dubai free zone companies); Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021 on activities of strategic impact; Dubai Media Office (3 June 2021, full foreign ownership; 11 December 2023, Dubai Unified Licence); Dubai Law No. 13 of 2011 (Article 8); free zone authority websites (RAKEZ, Meydan, IFZA, Dubai CommerCity, Ajman Free Zone, SPC Free Zone).
Your licence in four steps
Activities
We map what you will sell and to whom, and choose the licence type and legal form.
Name & approval
Trade name reservation, initial approval and any external approvals.
Premises & documents
Lease or free zone facility, memorandum and signed documents.
Licence & after
Licence issue, establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration.
Frequently asked questions
Which trade licence do I need in Dubai?
It follows your activity. Buying and selling goods or services is generally a commercial licence, services based on personal skills or qualifications a professional licence, and manufacturing or processing an industrial licence. Tourism businesses have their own licences. The activity list also decides whether other authorities must approve, so we check it before anything is filed.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, yes. The general requirement for an Emirati majority partner was removed by Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, and Dubai opened more than 1,000 activities to full foreign ownership from 1 June 2021; the rule now sits in the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. Activities of strategic impact, such as banking, insurance and telecoms, follow separate rules, and some professional (civil) forms owned by non-GCC nationals may still need a local service agent.
What is a general trading licence?
A licence that lets a company trade in a wide range of unrelated goods, rather than one product group. On the Dubai mainland it is treated as a special activity with higher fees. Many free zones, including RAKEZ, Meydan, IFZA, Dubai CommerCity, Ajman Free Zone and SPC Free Zone, also offer general trading. Goods that need special approval, such as medicines, still need that approval.
How long is a Dubai trade licence valid?
Normally one year. Under Dubai's economic activities law, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) can approve a licence term of up to four years at the business's request. The law asks for renewal within the last month before expiry, and late renewal attracts fines.
Should I choose mainland or a free zone?
Mainland suits businesses selling directly to UAE customers, opening shops or bidding for government work. A free zone can suit international trade, consulting and online businesses, often with simpler setup. Dubai free zone companies can now also apply for a permit to carry out approved activities on the mainland. We compare both for your plans.
Not sure which licence you need?
Tell us what you plan to sell and to whom. We'll recommend the licence type and route in a short online meeting, and send a written quote before you commit.