Cancel trade licence
Cancels your company's trade licence with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).
How it works
- 1
Documents
You
- 2
Reviewed by MARIO E.G.S.H AI
MARIO E.G.S.H AI
- 3
Submitted on Invest in Dubai
Runner at DET
- 4
Licence issued
DET
Documents required
Cancellation of all labour cards through MOHRE
copyNotarised partnership termination contract
in some casesoriginalattestedOnly if: Civil companyNotarised general assembly minutes deciding liquidation and naming the liquidator
in some casesoriginalattestedOnly if: Commercial companies (all legal forms) - phase 1Liquidator's acceptance letter, licence copy, auditor registration certificate and notarised signature specimen
in some casesoriginalattestedOnly if: Commercial companies - phase 1Original newspaper with the liquidation announcement, the final report, and the no-objection declaration after 45 days
in some casesoriginalOnly if: Commercial companies - phase 2Board resolution to cancel the branch (attested for a foreign company), plus Ministry of Economy deletion decision where applicable
in some casesoriginalattestedlegal Arabic translationOnly if: Branches of foreign, local or free-zone companies
Conditions, time and validity
- All cancellations with other local and federal entities must be completed first.
- Companies: liquidation notice in two Arabic local newspapers for one day; creditors get 45 days to claim.
- Licence expired for more than two years: special route with a local partner's undertaking for debts, proof of the reason, a one-day newspaper notice and a 15-day grace period.
- Processing time
- The DET step takes about 10 minutes, but a company liquidation needs at least the 45-day creditor period; a sole establishment is much faster once labour cards are cancelled.
- Validity of the result
- Permanent.
- Where it is applied for
- DET service centres only (per DET page).
Steps at the authority
- Cancel employees' work permits/visas and close MOHRE and immigration establishment files.
- Companies: notarised liquidation resolution, appoint liquidator, pay AED 520, publish notice, wait 45 days.
- Submit phase-2 documents and pay the cancellation fee at a DET service centre.
Tips that save you a trip
- Cancel staff and immigration files first; DET will not cancel while they are open.
- Keep the original newspaper; a copy is not accepted.
Common reasons for rejection or delay
- Labour cards or visas still active under the establishment.
- Objections from creditors within the notice period, or missing original newspaper.
- Unpaid fines with DET or other authorities.
Questions and answers
My licence expired years ago. Can I still cancel it?
Yes. DET has a special route for licences expired over two years (undertakings, proof of reason, newspaper notice with 15 days). Fines may apply; staff will check.
Checked by the MARIO E.G.S.H team on 2026-10-08. Rules can change at any time; our consultant confirms the details for your case.
Legal basis
Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies (liquidation); DET procedures
Related services
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Reserves a new trade name or renews an existing reservation with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).
Issue and renew initial approval
Obtains or renews the initial approval for your business activity from Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).