Business Licence in Dubai – Register Commercial & Professional Companies

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.