Commercial Permit Cancellation – Close Your Business in the UAE

Cancellation of a trade licence in Dubai typically requires the company to undergo liquidation, settle all outstanding government dues, and submit a cancellation request to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The process involves deactivating the trade licence, cancelling the visa and establishment card, and obtaining a certificate of trade licence cancellation. EGSH prepares your documents, submits the cancellation request, and ensures full legal closure of your business.

The commercial licence cancellation procedure in Dubai applies to mainland and Free Zone companies. It requires a notarised business closure decision, cancellation of all employee visas and the establishment card, and clearance certificates from DET, MOHRE, and other government bodies. Companies must also settle all outstanding fees, including VAT and customs, if applicable. The final step is submitting the business licence termination request to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the relevant Free Zone authority. EGSH manages the whole process: we prepare the cancellation documents, submit your request, and track the official cancellation of your commercial licence.

The cost of cancelling a trade licence in Dubai depends on your company’s structure and legal form. For mainland companies, standard Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) government fees include: — AED 1,020 for licence cancellation, and — AED 2,520 for company dissolution. In addition, businesses must settle: — clearance certificate fees from DET, MOHRE, Dubai Customs, and the utility providers, — visa and establishment card cancellation fees, — legal notice publication fees (if required), and — any outstanding fines or government dues. The total cost of business licence termination in Dubai typically ranges from AED 3,500 to AED 8,000 or more, depending on the company’s activities, employee visas, and pending obligations. Free Zone licence cancellation costs vary according to the zone’s authority. EGSH provides a full cost estimate before starting your cancellation process and ensures all government payments (including DED licence cancellation fees and clearance fees) are settled correctly to avoid delays or penalties.

To close a company licence in the UAE, you must complete the whole company closure process in accordance with UAE law. This includes: — Issuing a notarised shareholder resolution for liquidation; — Cancelling employee visas and the establishment card through MOHRE and GDRFA; — Publishing a liquidation notice in two local newspapers (for mainland companies); — Obtaining clearance certificates from the Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai –Customs, utilities, and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), if applicable; — Settling all outstanding government dues, fines, and fees. For the mainland licence Dubai closure, the process is regulated by DET. Free Zone business closures follow the specific liquidation process of each Free Zone authority. Only after completing these steps can you submit your trade licence cancellation request and obtain the final liquidation certificate. EGSH fully manages your business liquidation in Dubai, preparing all necessary legal documents, handling government clearances, and completing the cancellation of your business licence in compliance with UAE regulations.

To remove a partner from an LLC in Dubai, the company must first amend its Memorandum of Association (MOA) through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This process involves: — Preparing a partner withdrawal resolution, signed by all shareholders and notarised by the Dubai Courts; — Amending the MOA to reflect the updated ownership structure and capital shares; — Paying the applicable DET licence amendment fees and partner removal charges; — Updating the commercial licence and issuing a new licence reflecting the revised shareholder details; — Settling any outstanding partner liabilities or obligations as part of the business licence amendment. EGSH prepares all legal documents for partner removal, submits the amendment application to DET, and ensures your company’s commercial licence is updated correctly.

If a trade licence is not renewed or properly cancelled in Dubai, the company remains legally active and accumulates government penalties for non-renewal. DET will impose late renewal fines and eventually suspend the licence (trade licence deactivation), preventing the company from conducting any legal business activities. Uncancelled licences may also trigger: — Additional business liquidation Dubai penalties; — Suspension of employee visa renewals and new visa applications; — Freezing of the company’s corporate bank accounts; — Legal restrictions on the company’s owners and authorised signatories. To avoid these legal and financial risks, businesses must either renew their trade licence in Dubai or complete the cancellation process before the next licence expiry date. EGSH ensures your company is fully closed and cleared from DET records, preventing further fines, penalties, and government actions.

Trade licence termination typically takes 3 to 7 business days, depending on the completeness of the documents and the required clearances. EGSH monitors the cancellation process to ensure timely completion.

As part of the company closure process, you must cancel the tenancy contract for your business premises and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or clearance letter from the landlord. This confirmation is required to close your company file with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and to remove your company from the Dubai Economy register. EGSH assists in coordinating the cancellation of the tenancy contract and securing all required property clearances as part of the commercial licence cancellation process.

Company liquidation in Dubai varies by jurisdiction. For mainland companies, the process follows the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) liquidation rules, which include the publication of public notices, obtaining clearance certificates from government bodies, and the cancellation of full licences. In Free Zones, company liquidation is managed by the authority of each zone. Free Zone liquidation typically involves zone-specific clearance procedures, no public notice, and direct approval from the Free Zone authority. The documents, fees, and timelines differ between mainland and Free Zone jurisdictions. EGSH advises on the applicable procedure, prepares all necessary documents, obtains the required clearances, and manages your company’s liquidation in Dubai in accordance with the correct legal process.

After the cancellation of a commercial licence in Dubai, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) grants a grace period of up to 30 calendar days. This period allows businesses to complete any final clearances, settle outstanding government payments, and close pending obligations, such as cancelling a tenancy contract, deregistering for VAT, or closing a bank account. The grace period applies from the effective date of licence cancellation, after which the company is entirely removed from the DET register. Any missed obligations during this period may result in additional administrative actions or fines. EGSH monitors all deadlines during your company’s closure and ensures that all financial and legal obligations are completed before the grace period ends, preventing future compliance risks.