Business setup in Dubai requires obtaining Trade License in Dubai. Know about types of trade licenses, step-by-step procedure and trade license renewal

2. Obtaining a Trade license in Dubai is one of the initial steps towards your dream of
owning a business at the most prominent economic hub of the world. The business
setup in Dubai allows various options for Individuals such as mainland company
formation, offshore company formation, and free zone company formation.
Trade License in Dubai: Types, Procedures,
Fees, and Renewal

3. Trade License in Dubai: Types, Procedures, Fees,
and Renewal
Before you setup business in Dubai, it is necessary to go through the complete
process, which starts from trade name registration in Dubai and ends as your
company starts functioning. In the whole process, you need to get a trade license in
Dubai as per your business activities and preferred company structure.
Let’s get started by knowing what exactly trade license in Dubai is:
While setting up a company in Dubai, UAE, you need to have specific permissions for
conducting business activities. Trade license in Dubai allows you to conduct most of
the activities in the UAE. It is issued by the Department of Economic Development
(DED), popularly known as DED Dubai, and thus, can be called a DED Trade License.

4. Trade License in Dubai: Types, Procedures, Fees,
and Renewal
It is also known as general trade license, and it supports the following activities:
• For the company formation in Dubai mainland or free zone, this license serves as the
gateway of importing and exporting material to and from UAE, respectively.
• A license in Dubai will allow you to sell goods and services in the various parts of
emirates.
• It is also necessary for professional services such as healthcare and art galleries, etc.

5. Business activities supported
Types of Trade License
Trade License
Industrial
LicenseCommercial
License
This license allows the
company to conduct the
manufacturing of products,
importing the raw material
required for the product, and
exporting the finished
product. When you seek an
industrial license, make sure
you have a physical office in
Dubai as it is mandatory.
The commercial license in
Dubai allows a company to
conducts trade activities
such as buying and selling
goods. You can only perform
the activities for the items
mentioned on the license.

6. Business activities supported
Types of Trade License
Trade License
Tourism
LicenseProfessional
License
As Dubai exclusively values
Tourism, it has a separate
license for companies
engaging in the tourism
sector. The rules, regulations,
taxes, compliance, and
permissions are different for
this sector.
This license is, particularly
for the service providers and
professionals. The main
advantage of this license is
you don’t need to have a
local sponsor; you can have
100% company ownership.

7. Trade License: Step by Step Procedure
Trade name registration in Dubai and
obtaining initial approval
You first need to reserve a trade name for your company
by applying to DED Dubai. If the company name is
available, the permit will be provided. In addition, you
need to apply for initial permission for the business
activities; you are going to conduct using your Dubai trade
license.
Company’s Memorandum of Association
Notarization
In order to obtain a trade license in Dubai, it is necessary
to conduct notarization of the company’s MOA. One can
do notarization in less than a day at DED Dubai. One
needs to file a trade license application along with it.
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8. Trade License: Step by Step Procedure
Submission of Documents
Document submission is not only required for getting a
Dubai trade license but also for membership registration
with the Dubai Chamber of councils. For submission of the
required original document, the applicant needs to visit
the commercial registry present at the DED Dubai. If the
documents are complete and legit, the name of the
company is added to the Commercial Register. Then these
documents, MOA and trade license application form is
forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Economy.
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9. Getting Instant Dubai Trade License
You must be expecting that there would be a long wait before your company starts functioning.
Though the process seems to be time-consuming, there is an alternative.
It is possible to obtain Dubai economic department trade license instantly. If your business activities
require a commercial trade license or professional trade license, you can get it in five minutes. It
doesn’t even require MOA or the rent contract for the initial year. However, this license is limited to
the business setup in Dubai, whose activities don’t require external approval, i.e., approval from
government bodies other than DED. You can apply through DED’s e-service portal, happiness lounge,
service centers, and smart lounges with minimal documents.
Can’t wait to set up a company in Dubai? Luckily, there’s an option

10. E-trader license has some special features. The Department of
Economic Development Dubai has introduced this E-Trader license.
This license allows conducting and promoting the business through
online mediums. However, there can be the only home-based
businesses owning this license. Therefore, it is suitable for business
owners who don’t require local partners.
As only a single owner can own a DED Trader License, one needs to
have 100% ownership of the company. Further, E-Trader License does
not require submission of ejari documents as physical office space is
not required for this type of license.
Getting E-Trader License in Dubai
License for home-based businesses

11. It is necessary to have a tenancy contract that has at least one month of validity
from the expiration date of the Dubai Trade License. In case if your tenancy
contract is not having the required validity period, you need to get that renewed
first.
How to renew Dubai Economic Department
Trade License
Trade License Renewal in Dubai
1. A requirement of Tenancy Contract

12. For doing business in Dubai, you need to renew the license by applying for renewal at DED and
submitting the required documents. The process is facile, and you need to submit a minimal number
of documents mentioned below :
1. A typed BR/1 form
2. Copy of Tenancy Contract
3. Copy of current Trade License
4. Passport copies of business partners and investors
How to renew Dubai Economic Department
Trade License
2. License Renewal Application

13. After the documents are submitted, and the authenticity is approved, you receive
a DED voucher for making the payment. You need to make the payment, and then
you will instantly get your license renewed.
How to renew Dubai Economic Department
Trade License
3. Make the Payment

14. Advantages of having a Trade License in Dubai
• Import duty is low
• Paid-up capital is not necessary
• 100% repatriation not only on capital but also on profit
• A wide range of banking benefits
• Tax-free jurisdiction
• Provides gateway for local as well as international trading
Benefits of a DED Trade License

15. Trade License Dubai Fee
DED Trade License Fee
The trade license in Dubai’s cost varies as per your business
activities and requirements. However, if one goes through the
general charges, he can find out the total cost.
The License Fee starts from AED 12,000. Activity fees start from
AED 150 to 500 depending upon the type of business activity.
There are a few more requirements where you need to let go of
your pennies, such as activity class guide fees, license
replacement, license translation fees, etc.
Please note that this fee is only the official fee for obtaining the
trade license and not the complete company formation in Dubai.

16. FAQs
What are the duties a company needs to fulfill after
getting a trade license in Dubai?
A company needs to fulfill the following duties after obtaining a trade
license in Dubai:
1. Apply for the establishment card
2. Native workers’ registration with the Labor Ministry
3. Native workers’ registration with the General Authority of Pension
and Social Security
Is it required to own separate trade licenses in
Dubai for different product categories?
No, you can conduct business activities for different products through
one single Dubai trade license by the Dubai Economic Department.
Company Formation in Dubai

17. FAQs
Is it mandatory to obtain a trade license even for
the companies that are opening a company branch
in Dubai?
Yes, even if you are setting up an office branch in Dubai, you need to
register for the Dubai trade license.
Is there any need to obtain other licenses besides
getting a trade license in Dubai?
Yes, DED Dubai only provides a trade license in Dubai for certain
business activities. There could be a possibility that for your business
activities, you need to take permission from other government
authorities. For more information, you can check the official website
of DED Dubai.

18. Contact Us
Dubai is the hub where businesses build professional connections and help
each other to flourish. N R Doshi and Partners know the inimitability and
importance of this emirate. Besides, the Dubai trade license, we will also guide
you through the complete process for business setup in Dubai.
The team is blessed by experts who have completed a considerable number of
projects related to mainland company formation, offshore company formation,
and free zone company formation in Dubai as well as other parts of the UAE.
Let us take care of your company formation in UAE and getting a DED trade
license. You focus on core business activities, and we handle the business setup
activities.
Register a Company in Dubai

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