What types of business licences are available in Dubai?

Dubai offers several business licence categories, each aligned with the nature of the activity conducted: – Commercial Licence – for trading, retail, import/export, and general commercial activities. – Professional Licence – for service-based activities, consultancy, and specialised professions. – Industrial Licence – for manufacturing, production, and industrial operations. Each licence is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and may include one or multiple approved activities. All licence types can be registered through EGSH, a government-authorised centre handling complete documentation and procedural compliance.

How much does a business licence cost in the UAE?

The cost of a business licence in Dubai varies depending on the type of activity and licence selected, the company’s legal structure, the number of activities listed, and whether the business is based in mainland Dubai or a free zone. To receive an accurate calculation of your Dubai business licence cost, EGSH provides official fee estimates based on your selected activity, legal form, and required documentation.

How long does it take to get a business licence?

The time required to obtain a business licence in Dubai depends on the type of activity, legal form, and whether external approvals are required. For standard activities that do not require additional government clearance, the process may be completed within 3-5 working days after submission of all documents. If the selected activity requires approval from external authorities (e.g. health, legal, security), additional time may be needed. EGSH manages the whole procedure, ensuring accurate classification, document preparation, and timely submission through official DET channels.

How long is a business licence valid in the UAE?

The standard UAE company licence validity is one year from the date of issuance. Licences must be renewed annually through DET to maintain legal authorisation for business operations. Failure to renew on time may result in penalties, suspension of activity, or cancellation of the licence. EGSH provides full support for licence renewal and regulatory compliance.

What documents are required for a business licence in Dubai?

To apply for a business licence, the following documents must be submitted: – Valid passport copies of all individual shareholders and authorised signatories – Emirates ID copies (for UAE residents, if applicable) – Approved trade name reservation certificate – Initial approval certificate issued by DET – Tenancy contract and Ejari registration (for mainland licences) – Memorandum of Association (MoA), if required by the legal form – External approvals from relevant authorities, if the selected activity is regulated EGSH verifies the completeness and accuracy of all submitted documents and manages the official submission process on your behalf.

How often do I need to renew my business licence in Dubai?

A business licence must be renewed every 12 months from the date of issuance. Renewal is mandatory to maintain the legal status of the company and avoid penalties or suspension of business activities. The renewal process includes updating tenancy details (Ejari), paying the applicable DET fees, and submitting any required regulatory approvals. EGSH provides full assistance with timely renewal and document verification. Delays in licence issuance often require renewing initial approval to keep the application valid.

What’s the difference between a Dubai mainland licence and a Dubai freezone licence?

Dubai mainland licence allows a company to operate anywhere in the UAE, including doing business directly with government entities and clients onshore. DET issues it and requires a registered office on the mainland. A freezone licence is issued by one of the designated free zone authorities. It allows the company to operate within the respective free zone and internationally, but generally restricts direct onshore business unless a local distributor is appointed or specific permits are obtained. EGSH assists in determining which licence type aligns with your business activity, ownership structure, and operational scope.

Business Licence in Dubai – Register Your Company Legally with DED

Name: Business Licence
Brand: EGSH

What Is a Business Licence in Dubai

Legal Authorisation to Operate Your Company in the UAE

A business licence in Dubai is an official government document that legally authorises individuals and entities to carry out specific commercial or professional activities within the Emirate. It is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and defines the company’s legal form, permitted activities, and regulatory obligations.

Holding a valid business licence is a legal requirement for establishing a company in Dubai’s mainland or free zones.

EGSH provides end-to-end assistance — from trade name reservation to final licence issuance — with all procedures managed through a single government-authorised service centre.

Apply for a Business Licence in Dubai

Officially regulated fees
No hidden charges
Queue-free service
VIP support at no extra cost

From AED 130

+971 4 612 1810

Visit Our Centre

Consult with EGSH to define business activity and select the correct legal structure.

Reserve Trade Name & Initial Approval

Provide required forms, IDs, business plans, tenancy, and initial approvals.

Finalise Documents & Office Lease

Prepare required documents, sign the MoA (if applicable), and register your business address through Ejari.

Submit Application & Receive Licence

EGSH submits your application to DET. Once approved and paid, your official licence is issued.

Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues

You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday–Thursday, Saturday: 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

Passport Copy of All Partners

Valid passport copies of all individual shareholders and authorised signatories.

Trade Name Reservation

Approved trade name issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Initial Approval Document

Certificate confirming preliminary approval for the business activity and legal form.

Tenancy Contract & Ejari Certificate

Registered lease agreement for office or workspace, approved through the Ejari system.

About EGSH

Expert Support for New Business Setup and Licensing

EGSH is a government-authorised service centre officially approved to handle business licensing procedures in coordination with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). All steps — from trade name reservation to final licence issuance — are processed through official government platforms with complete legal oversight and procedural accuracy.

EGSH verifies all applications for regulatory compliance, legal form validity, and activity classification in line with DET standards. All procedures are managed in one place — no need to visit multiple departments or navigate government portals independently.

Clients receive end-to-end support, coordination with external authorities, and full assistance in meeting licensing requirements for commercial and professional entities in Dubai.

Expert Support for New Business Setup and Licensing

Why EGSH

EGSH makes all public services available in one place—fast, transparent, and compliant. We deliver convenience, personalised support, and priority processing for every client, focusing on innovation and sustainability.

Our Mission

To simplify life in Dubai by providing secure, seamless access to all government and real estate services from a single centre.

Our Vision

To set the benchmark for integrated government solutions, delivering efficiency and exceptional client care across the UAE.

Our Values

Transparency, efficiency, innovation, and complete client satisfaction.

Trade Licence Renewal

Renew your trade licence in Dubai through EGSH.

From AED 25,852

Trade Licence Amendment

Change business name, activity, or address on your Dubai trade licence.

From AED 110

All Services

View all Business Registration and Licensing Services

Still have any questions?

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

Explained by

Shaimaa Sayed Qasem

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

Shaimaa Sayed Qasem is a dedicated service provider at the Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH, with seven years of experience delivering business services, supporting clients and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Government-Authorised Licensing Centre

EGSH is an officially authorised Real Estate Services Trustee, fully compliant with Dubai Land Department regulations.

One-Stop Service

All procedures, document submissions, and payments are handled in one place, eliminating the need to contact multiple offices.

Confidentiality Guaranteed

All personal data and documents are processed securely and confidentially in accordance with UAE law.

Multilingual Support

Our team speaks several languages, ensuring clear communication for clients of almost all backgrounds.

Personalised Assistance

Each client is assigned a dedicated consultant for individual support throughout the process.

Flexible Appointment Scheduling

Book your visit at a convenient time—our office is open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, to accommodate your schedule.

Natalia was very professional, she was a pleasure to deal with. Answering my questions, always responsive to phone calls and very prompt at providing updates at each stage of golden visa application which was very quick to process.

had an excellent experience with EGSH. They truly live up to their promise of one-stop government services, handling everything with efficiency and professionalism from start to finish.

I had a wonderful experience. She provided outstanding service with great professionalism and care. Everything was handled smoothly and efficiently. I truly appreciate her dedication and would definitely recommend her services to others

Zara helped to get my Ejari completed. I recommend service here

Maria Claudia garcia helped me to renew my kids Emirates id. She went the extra mile to help me and she was so efficient and her communication skills are amazing. I would recommend the ESGH Emirates government services in barsha anytime. Thank you Maria for your help

Such a great service with an amazing and friendly environment and i would like to specially thank zara for her exceptional professionalism and support.

Had a great experience at Emirates Government Service Hub. Zara Moshiri truly went above and beyond to help me with my visa. I was facing a few issues during the process, and she handled everything patiently and professionally until it was sorted. Really grateful for her support — definitely ask for her when you visit this branch.

I would like to recognize the exceptional service I received from Umida at EGSH. From the very first minute, she made me feel genuinely welcome and at ease. Navigating the documentation required for a Golden Visa can be complex, yet Umida went far beyond what is typically expected — guiding me through every requirement with clarity, professionalism, and patience.

We are extremely pleased with the excellent visa services provided by EGSH in Dubai. From start to finish, their team demonstrated professionalism, efficiency, and deep expertise in handling visa applications for our workforce.

Ms. Zara Moshiri is extremely professional, patient, and supportive. She provided clear and thorough guidance and took the time to answer all my questions. I truly appreciate her help and highly recommend working with her.

Outstanding Service and Professionalism My wife and I recently applied for and obtained our 5-year Golden Visa (Retiree) in an exceptionally short time — mine in three days and my wife’s in just one day. We are extremely satisfied with the service provided by EGSH Emirates Government Service Hub.

Exceptional service every step of the way For showing your great example of services Remarkable dedication of consultant mrs Maria Garcia regalado. Thank you EGSH service Hub team

Amazing service! They went above and beyond to assist and resolved my concern there and then! Highly recommended anyone to visit this centre, the ladies are very helpful

Went there for a consulting. Booked an appointment in advance thro their website. Came early — no line — which is good. Very pleasant interior. My consultant Rachel, was polite. Answered all my questions. Can’t judge regarding the process once applied for an exact service, but consulting went well.

Amazing support and communication during the whole process. Rachel, Yara and Maria were super well organized and assisted in record time. We finished the whole process from star to end in 4 business days for 10 year Golden Visa!

I had an excellent experience with the wonderful help of Maria Claudia Garcia. Her professionalism and attention to detail made the whole process easy.

They are really very amazing very kind I was having problem with my residency and my license miss Zara and miss Amna they really help me from start to end and they are really very kind and professional highly recommend if any wants to setup there business go with egsh and thanks miss Zara 🙏 you are really very amazing person

I had a pleasure being assistanced by Ms. Natalia today and her support throughout the process. Everything was smooth, super professional, efficient and high level service was exceptional. Highly recommended for anyone looking for reliable and smooth government-related services.

I had such a great experience with EGSH (Emirates Government Services Hub)! Everything went super smoothly, and the team was really helpful. A big shout‑out to Ms. Zara Moshiri—she was kind and supportive the whole way through. Truly appreciate it!

Super quick and efficient service. Maria was available via WhatsApp and responded very quickly to all messages.

I got a delightful service from them to upgrade my visa category half of the expected timeline. Compared with my previous place, this the best and I would like to recommend any of visa service for all of you. * reasonable fair (I was asked twice my previous what I paid). * fast service and delivering before timeline. * Authentic service. Thank you so much Maria for your dedicated service.!

An exceptional service from Zara at EGSH. She guided us perfectly through the process and managed to get us even more than we had anticipated. A world class service center with exceptional staff. Would recommend them to anyone who wants to get sorted for government services

Hello, My Name is Kelvin it was my first time to hear EGSH Emirates Govt from my sponsor. I was assisted By Mrs Maria Claudia Garcia the experience was amazing from the beginning to the End she has been supporting and guiding me through all the process. I am grateful to her and the entire team for the help. I trust and believe EGSH is a place to recommend to family members and friends.

A very hassle free experience from EGSH. Special mention of Ms.Zara who was most helpfull. Her quick response to queries and swift action are much appeciated.

We had the pleasure of being assisted by the lovely Ms Maria and Ms Randa. They were clear concise and super professional throughout our whole process of renewing our Ejari and business licence. Maria provided continued support while we were waiting for our business Ejari to come through and made it a simple seamless process.

EGSH in art of living is the best Hub center for every thing that you want in dubai Specially Ms.ZARA MOSHIRI is the advisor and assistance and she is beside you in every step Thank you Ms.ZARA MOSHIRI and EGSH

I recently visited this institution had an exceptional experience! Ms. Maria Claudia took the time to understand my needs and preferences. I really appreciate her support and services.

Good morning, I needed to apply for the Golden Visa and went to this EGSH Emirates office. I was very impressed by their facilities and the peaceful atmosphere. We were fortunate to be assisted by María Claudia García, who provided exceptional service. She advised and helped us every step of the way, guiding us through the entire process until we obtained the Golden Visa.

I would like to express my appreciation to Ray from EGSH for his outstanding assistance in handling the transfer of our property at Rove Hotel. He was very helpful, accommodating, and patient throughout the entire process, from addressing transaction concerns and verifying documents to the actual property transfer and ensuring the new owner received the title deed…

I worked with Amir and Zara, they took care of everything, I only had to send the mandatory information. In a very short time, everything was completed. I was amazed, considering how difficult it had seemed before. Not to mention, the fees were the same or even lower than those of the other companies I mentioned. For me, it was a 10/10 experience, the quickest and smoothest process someone could have in this journey. Strongly recommend them.

Zara assisted me with my Ejari registration, and she was absolutely amazing. She demonstrated exceptional professionalism, efficiency, and delivered everything promptly. Truly a pleasure to work with!

THE BEST!!! Zara you are as always star

Thanks to EGSH and to Zara for Excellent service — professional, attentive, and truly pleasant experience. Highly recommended!

Had an amazing service for the transfer of property there, specially Rachel Rahmat she was very helpfull throughout the process, looking forward to work more.

Visited for the first time for a property transfer and had an amazing experience with Jessieca! She was professional, helpful, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended for all government services excellent customer service!

Personally, I find this the best centre in Dubai. They always go the extra mile. Especially Maria Garcia has help out so much in such an efficient way! Thank you!

Went there for ejari cancellation. Excellent place. Staff was so cooperative. Ms Maria and Ms Fatima assist me and it was a fast process.

This is probably the best government service hub in Dubai. You come in, asked to be seated, and the staff will come to you instead of standing on the reception and on queue. They will offer you tea and water are available at each table. Really embodies the Emirati hospitality and what seamstresses Dubai is known for.

I was here the morning of this post. The concierge like service with a contact person arranging for you all the difeerent interactions is making the interactuon as smooth as possible. A truly delightful experience and a true commitment to service excellence, thank you for the great experience and for the initiative to present government interactions in this way!

Outstanding service — fast, friendly, and highly professional. Thank you very much!

I’ve been here for the first time and I can say that this organization definitely worth to come here and make all proceeds with their help! We were changing the owner and such difficult process was really easy for us with your help and most of the time it was done online. So I’m very grateful to Mrs Zara and her support during all the process❤️

I had an excellent experience with Natalia Baiamonte from EGSH while getting Ejari certificate. From the very beginning, she was professional, attentive, and extremely helpful. Natalia guided me through the process clearly, answered all my questions with patience, and made task feel simple and stress-free. Highly recommend Natalia for her outstanding customer service and dedication!

We had great experience with Amal She is so helpful and awesome She stayed with us over her duty today just to finish her work Thanks Amal

I had a really good experience with EGSH (Emirates Government Services Hub). Everything went smoothly and the team was super helpful. Special thanks to Zara and Amal. they were so supportive and kind throughout the process. Really appreciate it!

I had a great experience with this office. They handle everything related to company setup, residency, Golden Visa, DLD, and more. The office is very clean, modern, and welcoming, and the staff are extremely professional and polite. A special thank to Ms. Zara for her kindness and guidance throughout the process so smoothly and professionally, and to Ms. Amal for managing the administrative registration.

Zara is the best always attentive to every requests and helping with a solving problems without delay thank you Zara❤️🌸 …

Absolutely stunning office, i am awestruck. No one can beat Dubai for the kind of hospitality you get in a government office… Its mind-blowing 😍 i wish i could give a 10 star rating (double) on 5 🤩

I had a great experience with EGHS. I was assisted by Sarah Almeida and she delivered an amazing service. Very attentive, promptly responded my messages and guided me throughout the process. It was all very smooth and done very quickly. I highly recommend and I’ll definitely use their services again.