Business Licence in Dubai
Official DET Licensing for Dubai Mainland Businesses
A business licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is the mandatory legal document that authorises any commercial, professional, or industrial entity to operate on the Dubai mainland. Without a valid licence, a business cannot legally trade, issue invoices, enter into contracts, open a corporate bank account, or sponsor employee visas. All mainland businesses in Dubai, regardless of size or sector, are required to hold a current DET licence that accurately reflects their registered activities and legal form.
EGSH is an authorised Dubai Economic Department centre. All applications are submitted through the official DET systems by EGSH's licensed consultants, who verify documentation, confirm the correct activity classification, and manage compliance with DET requirements before submission. EGSH processes the application, the DET issues the licence.
- Authorised Dubai Economic Department Centre
- VIP service without queues
- Official government-regulated fees
- Most procedures completed in one visit
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the time required to obtain a business licence varies depending on the licence category, legal form, and whether external approvals from sector authorities are required. For standard activities without external approval requirements, the process typically takes three to five working days following complete submission.
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
How to Get a Business Licence in Dubai
A Structured and Compliant Process Through Official DET Systems
01
Visit EGSH
Visit the EGSH centre during working hours or book your appointment online — no queues, with immediate assistance from a dedicated consultant.
02
Document Review
An EGSH consultant verifies your identification documents, trade name reservation, initial DET approval, and any required supporting documents for the selected activity and legal form.
03
Application Submission
EGSH submits your business licence application through the official DET systems, ensuring all documentation meets DET activity classification, legal form, and compliance requirements.
04
Receive Your Business Licence
he DET issues your business licence upon approval, officially registering your entity and authorising it to carry out the selected activities on the Dubai mainland.
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–5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Documents Required for Business Licence Registration
Prepare the Required Documentation for Compliant Authority Submission
Identification Documents
Valid passport copies and UAE residence visas (if applicable) for all shareholders and authorised signatories, together with Emirates IDs for UAE residents.
Founding and Legal Documents
A notarised Memorandum of Association (MoA) and, where applicable, a Local Service Agent Agreement or Power of Attorney for authorised representatives.
DET Approvals and Trade Name
The initial approval certificate from the DET and the approved trade name reservation certificate confirming the activity classification and legal form.
Office Lease and Supporting Documents
An Ejari-registered tenancy contract for the business premises, together with any additional authority permits required for regulated activities.
Take a 3D Tour of EGSH
Authorised Processing with VIP Service and Officially Regulated Fees.
Why Choose EGSH for Business Licence Registration
VIP Service
Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.
Affordable Fees
Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.
All Services in One Place
Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.
One-Visit Completion
Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.
What Is a Business Licence in Dubai
The mainland licensing framework in Dubai is administered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly known as the Dubai Economic Department (DED). The DET is the competent authority for issuing, renewing, and cancelling all mainland licences in Dubai.
Holding a valid licence is a legal prerequisite for all commercial operations on the mainland: without it, a business cannot sign contracts, process invoices, access banking services, or sponsor employees for residency visas. Operating without a current licence, or conducting activities outside those registered, constitutes a regulatory breach subject to financial penalties and possible enforcement action.
Licence Categories
The DET issues three primary licence categories for mainland businesses.
- A commercial licence covers buying and selling of goods, import and export, retail, wholesale, distribution, and general trading.
- A professional licence is issued for service-based activities where expertise or specialised skills form the core of the business, including consultancy, IT services, marketing, design, and other professional occupations.
- An industrial licence is required for manufacturing, production, assembly, or processing of goods; businesses in this category must hold appropriate industrial premises and may require approvals from additional authorities, including Dubai Municipality and the Civil Defence.
Each category corresponds to a defined set of DET-approved activity codes, and the correct classification must be confirmed before the application is submitted.
Legal Forms and Ownership
A business licence in Dubai may be held by a limited liability company (LLC), a sole establishment, a civil company, or a branch of a foreign company registered on the mainland. Since 2021, foreign investors are permitted to hold 100% ownership in most commercial and professional activity categories under applicable federal legislation.
Certain regulated activities, including legal practice, medical services, and specific financial activities, may involve separate licensing requirements or restrictions on ownership structure. Applicants should confirm the applicable ownership rules for their specific activity before proceeding to registration.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
The standard prerequisite sequence for obtaining a mainland business licence is: trade name reservation with the DET, followed by initial approval, then preparation and execution of incorporation documentation where the legal form requires it, including a notarised Memorandum of Association for LLCs, then registration of the business address through the Ejari system, and finally licence issuance.
Certain activity categories require prior approval from external regulatory authorities before the DET issues the licence. Regulated sectors include healthcare activities, which require clearance from the Dubai Health Authority; food-related commerce, which requires clearance from Dubai Municipality; and activities involving the Roads and Transport Authority, among others. EGSH manages each stage of this sequence through the official DET systems.
Validity and Renewal
The licence is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Annual renewal is mandatory. Failure to renew before the expiry date results in financial penalties: monthly fines apply from the date of expiry, and operating with an expired licence may result in an administrative fine. An expired licence also restricts the company from sponsoring new visas or renewing existing employee visas, and may affect corporate banking arrangements.
Renewal requires a valid Ejari-registered tenancy contract, current identification documents for all shareholders, payment of the applicable DET renewal fees, and for regulated activities any required approvals from the relevant external authority.
Cancellation
The licence may be cancelled upon formal application to the DET. Cancellation requires the settlement of all outstanding DET fees and penalties, the closure of associated immigration and labour files linked to the licence, and the receipt of clearances from all relevant government departments. All registered activities must cease upon cancellation. Partial removal of activities from an existing licence is processed as an amendment rather than a cancellation and follows a separate procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of business licences are available in Dubai?
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues three primary business licence categories for mainland companies: a commercial licence for trading activities including retail, import and export, wholesale, and general trading; a professional licence for service-based businesses such as consultancy, IT services, and marketing; and an industrial licence for manufacturing or production operations. Each category corresponds to a defined set of DET-approved activity codes, and the appropriate type is determined by the nature of the business activities.
Who is eligible to register a business licence in Dubai?
Individuals and corporate entities intending to conduct commercial, professional, or industrial activities on the Dubai mainland are eligible to apply. Applicants must select a compliant legal form, such as an LLC, a sole establishment, or a civil company, and must register only activities that correspond to approved DET activity codes. Foreign investors are permitted to hold 100% ownership in most activity categories. Certain regulated activities may involve additional licensing requirements; applicants should confirm ownership and eligibility rules for their specific activity before proceeding.
How long does it take to get a business licence in Dubai?
The time required depends on the licence category, legal form, and whether external approvals from sector authorities are required. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), standard activities that do not require additional government clearance are typically processed within three to five working days following the submission of complete documentation. Applications involving regulated activities, such as healthcare, food-related commerce, or transport, are subject to the processing timelines of the relevant external authority, which may extend the overall duration.
How much does a business licence cost in Dubai?
Government fees vary by licence category and the specific activities selected. Commercial licences typically range from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000; professional licences start from approximately AED 10,000 depending on activities and legal form; and industrial licences typically range from AED 15,000 to AED 25,000. All fees are set by the DET and are subject to change; figures are current as of the date of publication. Additional costs including Ejari registration and external approval fees apply separately.
How long is a business licence valid in Dubai?
A DET business licence is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Annual renewal is mandatory to maintain legal status and operational rights. Failure to renew on time may result in financial penalties, restrictions on visa sponsorship, and disruption to corporate banking arrangements. EGSH processes trade licence renewals through the official DET systems as a separate service.
What documents are required for a business licence in Dubai?
Required documentation includes valid passport copies and Emirates IDs for all shareholders and authorised signatories, an approved trade name reservation certificate, an initial approval certificate issued by the DET, an Ejari-registered tenancy contract for the business premises, and a notarised Memorandum of Association where the legal form requires it. Applications for regulated activities must also include external approval documents from the relevant sector authority. EGSH verifies documentation completeness and compliance before submission through the official DET systems.
What is the difference between a Dubai mainland business licence and a free zone licence?
A Dubai mainland business licence issued by the DET authorises the holder to conduct business directly within the UAE, including with government entities and local clients, subject to the activities registered on the licence. A free zone licence is issued by the relevant free zone authority and authorises operations within the free zone and internationally; conducting business directly on the UAE mainland typically requires separate arrangements, the specifics of which depend on the free zone and the nature of the activity. EGSH processes mainland DET licences only.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Visit Our Centre
Phone
Working Hours






























































































































