The first mandatory step of any UAE business is the trade license — and choosing the right type from thousands of DED activities decides your ownership, costs and approvals. Our experts match it to your business activities, in all seven Emirates.
Our experts help choose the right license type based solely on your business activities — not on what earns us more.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK, Ajman, Fujairah, UAQ — mainland and free zone, we license wherever your business fits best.
From activity selection to issued license — the most straightforward process, with one fixed quote and no surprises.
Many commercial and professional activities qualify for Dubai’s instant license — issued in minutes when no external approvals apply.
Adding activities, changing shareholders, upgrading packages — we handle license amendments throughout your company’s life.
Timely reminders and end-to-end renewal handling — expired licenses mean fines, and our clients never see them.
If you want to start your business in the UAE, the first mandatory thing is to obtain a trade license — and we ensure the most straightforward process. Multiple business licenses fall under the trade license category in Dubai and the UAE, and the type depends entirely on the business activities you will conduct: the Department of Economic Development has introduced thousands of business activities, all falling under four major license types.
Commercial License — for businesses that buy and sell products: imports and exports, real estate, rental services, trading and logistics. The best part: you don’t require any local Emirati to operate your business.
Professional License — the service-oriented license for individuals with specific expertise and educational background: IT consultancy, auditing and accounting, law firms and technical services. A local Emirati acts as service agent on mainland professional licenses — but never holds any shares.
Industrial License — for manufacturing: product manufacturing, furnishing and packaging. A physical office/facility in the UAE is mandatory, and approvals run through the DED with additional authorities.
Tourism License — travel agencies, tour operators and hospitality. Per recent amendments, now available with or without a local Emirati; note the substantial security deposit requirement (typically AED 1-2 million), which we plan into your budget honestly upfront.
General Trading — a commercial sub-type that trades across multiple unrelated product categories under one license. Instant License — for many activities without external approvals, Dubai’s DED issues licenses near-instantly, no MoA or rent contract needed in year one. E-Trader — Dubai’s home-based online business license. And in free zones, your license comes with 100% foreign ownership by default — compare routes on the free zone and mainland pages.
Requirements vary by activity, location and license type — but every setup follows the same spine: choose your business activity (we verify it against the DED lists), reserve your trade name, obtain initial approval, prepare the MoA where required, secure premises where mandatory (Ejari in Dubai), collect any activity-specific government approvals, pay and receive your license. Our advisors handle every step — plus the amendments your license needs over its life and timely renewal reminders so you never pay a fine.
A license never travels alone — establishment card, visas, premises and banking complete the picture. Configure everything in the Setup Cost Calculator for one all-in number, or bring your activity to a free consultation and we’ll match the license type in one call.
We match them against the DED lists and recommend the license type — based solely on your activities, all seven Emirates.
Trade name, approvals, MoA, premises where required — the most straightforward process, one fixed quote.
License issued — amendments handled and renewals reminded, for the life of your business.
Book a free 1-hour consultation — clear pricing, no hidden fees, no obligation, no call centres.
