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Issue new trade licence

Issues a new trade licence for your business with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET).

Start this request processing: 1 day

How it works

  1. 1

    Documents

    You

  2. 2

    Reviewed by MARIO E.G.S.H AI

    MARIO E.G.S.H AI

  3. 3

    Submitted on Invest in Dubai

    Runner at DET

  4. 4

    Licence issued

    DET

Documents required

  • Passport copy of every owner/partner

    copyMust be valid (staff to confirm minimum remaining validity)

  • Emirates ID / residence details of UAE-resident owners

    in some casescopyOnly if: If the owner lives in the UAE (the portal uses the ID number; the instant licence needs the unified number or ID number)

  • Trade name reservation certificate (DET)

    copyMust still be valid when the licence is issued

  • Memorandum of Association (electronic or notarised)

    in some casesoriginalattestedOnly if: Normal licence for company forms that need one (e.g. LLC); DET says the MoA can be obtained electronically or manually

  • Site lease contract (Ejari) for the business premises

    in some casescopyOnly if: Normal licence. The instant licence can use a virtual site for the first yearMust be valid

  • Approvals from other government authorities, if the activity needs them

    in some casescopyOnly if: Only for activities that need an external approval (for example health, education, media or transport activities)

  • No-objection certificate from the residence sponsor

    in some casesoriginalOnly if: Listed on DET's former (2021) initial-approval page for non-GCC residents who will practise the activity themselves, not for a partner or investor only. Staff must confirm whether it is still asked.

Conditions, time and validity

  • The trade name must be booked first and the legal form and activities chosen.
  • Licence types: Normal licence (needs MoA and a site lease), Instant licence (activities without external approvals; includes MoA option, virtual site for the first year, Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities, GDRFA and MOHRE establishment cards with the option to employ three people, for LLC, LLC-SO, sole establishment and civil company), and eTrader licence (home-based sole establishment).
  • Some activities need approvals from other authorities before the licence is issued.
Processing time
DET states 10 minutes for a normal licence and 5 minutes for an instant or eTrader licence once all requirements are complete. Preparing the MoA, Ejari and any external approvals usually takes longer.
Validity of the result
Usually one year, renewable (secondary sources; DET's service page does not state it).
Where it is applied for
Invest in Dubai portal (verified account) or DET approved service centres; centres can receive the requirements by email.

Steps at the authority

  1. Choose activities and legal form; book the trade name.
  2. Obtain any external approvals the activity needs.
  3. Prepare the MoA (electronic or at the notary) and the Ejari for the premises (normal licence).
  4. Submit on the Invest in Dubai portal or at a DET service centre and pay the fees.
  5. Licence issued; then establishment cards (immigration and MOHRE) for hiring staff.

Tips that save you a trip

  • Check first whether your activities qualify for the Instant licence: it needs no external approvals and includes a virtual site for the first year.
  • Use DET's official cost calculator for an estimate of government fees before deciding.

Common reasons for rejection or delay

  • Activity needs an external approval that was not obtained.
  • Trade name expired or does not match the activity.
  • Missing or expired Ejari, or MoA not signed by all partners.

Questions and answers

Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company?

For most commercial and industrial activities yes, since the 2021 company-law changes; some strategic activities have restrictions. Staff will check your exact activity with DET.

How long does it take?

The DET step itself takes minutes once everything is ready; the preparation (name, approvals, MoA, Ejari) decides the real time.

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; DET (Dubai) licensing rules; Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (free zone companies operating on the mainland)

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