Issue, renew and amend commercial permit
Issues, renews or amends a commercial permit for your business through 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
Copy of the current DET trade licence (or the licence number)
copyDetails of the activity: dates, locations/branches, design of the sign or advertisement, discount details
copyLandlord or mall approval for the sign, kiosk or tent
in some casescopyOnly if: Signboards, kiosks, tents and similar installations
Conditions, time and validity
- The trade licence must be valid and the permit must match its activities.
- Shop signs must follow the RTA shop billboard manual (linked on the DET page).
- Processing time
- DET: completed within 5 minutes on the portal or at a service centre.
- Validity of the result
- Valid for the period of the permitted activity (for example the promotion or exhibition dates); some older permits were limited to 30 days.
- Where it is applied for
- Invest in Dubai portal or any DET service centre.
Steps at the authority
- Choose the permit type and prepare the activity details.
- Apply on the Invest in Dubai portal or at a DET service centre.
- Pay the permit fee; the permit is issued.
- To renew or change dates/details, apply again before the permit ends (an amendment of a permit had its own fee in the 2011 table).
Tips that save you a trip
- Apply a few days before a sale or promotion starts; advertising it without a permit is a violation.
- In 2026 Dubai announced exemptions from fees on sales and commercial promotions as part of an incentives package: ask us whether it applies on your dates.
Common reasons for rejection or delay
- Licence expired or the permit activity is outside the licensed activities.
- Sign design not compliant with the RTA manual.
- Running a sale or promotion before the permit is issued (a fineable violation).
Questions and answers
Do I need a permit for a sign on my shop?
Yes, signboards and trade-name signs are covered by DET permits and must follow the RTA billboard manual.
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.
Official sources
- Invest in Dubai (DET) - Request to issue commercial permit
- Dubai Legislation Portal - Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 (fees and fines of the Department of Economic Development)
- Dubai Media Office (21 May 2026) - second AED 1.5 billion economic incentives package
- DET - FAQ on Dubai's second economic incentive package (May 2026)
Legal basis
Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 (fees and fines of the Department of Economic Development, now DET)
Related services
Trade licence renewal
Renew a Dubai mainland licence through Invest in Dubai, including Ejari and approvals check.
Change business location
Moves your licensed business to a new location and updates the licence with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).
Reserve and renew trade name
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).