Instant Licence Services in Dubai
Instant Licence Issuance in Dubai Through DET
The Instant Licence is a fast-track business licensing pathway issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It enables entrepreneurs and investors to establish a mainland company in Dubai without the standard requirements for a tenancy contract (Ejari) or notarised Memorandum of Association during the first 12 months of operation. This pathway is not a separate licence category — it is an accelerated issuance method available for commercial, professional, and industrial licence types.
EGSH is an authorised Dubai Economy Centre and submits applications directly through the official DET systems. All documentation is verified for compliance before submission, and the full application is processed on behalf of the applicant at the centre.
Authorised Dubai Economy Centre
VIP service without queues
Official government-regulated fees
The Instant Licence may be issued within approximately 5 minutes where the applicant meets all eligibility criteria and the submission is complete, accurate, and compliant with the DET requirements at the time of payment.
Apply for an Instant Licence in Dubai
Officially regulated fees
No hidden charges
Queue-free service
VIP support at no extra cost
From AED 390
How to Get an Instant Licence in Dubai
A Structured Process Through the Official DET System
01
Visit EGSH
Visit EGSH in person or book an appointment online to receive VIP assistance with your business licence application without queues.
02
Document Review
An EGSH consultant verifies all submitted documents for compliance with the DET requirements and confirms business activity eligibility for the fast-track licensing pathway.
03
Application Submission
EGSH prepares and submits the application through the official DET system, with a payment voucher issued for the applicable government fees.
04
Receive Your Instant Trade Licence
Once payment is processed, the DET issues the trade licence along with a Dubai Chamber membership certificate and GDRFA and MOHRE establishment cards.
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 an Instant Licence in Dubai
Prepare the Required Documentation for Compliant DET Submission
Passport Copies
Valid passport copies are required for all partners and the business owner, with clear personal information and photograph pages.
Emirates ID
A valid Emirates ID is required for each partner and shareholder to verify identity through the official DET application system.
UAE Residence or Visit Visa
Foreign partners must provide a copy of a valid UAE residence visa or UAE visit visa as part of the application submission.
Shareholder Presence
All shareholders must be physically present at the service centre during the official application and submission process.
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Why Choose EGSH for an Instant Licence in Dubai
Authorised Processing with VIP Service and Officially Regulated Fees
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 an Instant Licence in Dubai
The Instant Licence is a business formation pathway introduced by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly known as DED, as part of Dubai's business facilitation reforms. The initiative won the Flag of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Smart Government in 2019, receiving the Best Government Initiative award for simplifying business setup procedures in the emirate. Unlike the standard licensing process, this fast-track pathway removes several first-year administrative requirements to enable faster market entry for entrepreneurs and investors.
Eligible Legal Forms and Business Activities
The Instant Licence is available for four legal structures: Limited Liability Company (LLC), One Person LLC, Sole Proprietorship, and Civil Company. Public and private shareholding companies are not eligible for this pathway, and the fast-track licence does not cover branch registrations of existing local or foreign entities.
The primary eligibility condition relates to business activities. Only activities that do not require external government approvals qualify for this licence type. Activities requiring clearance from authorities such as Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), or federal ministries are excluded. Common eligible activities include general trading, management consultancy, IT services, and marketing services. General Trading as a business activity is available through this pathway.
An additional restriction applies to shareholder structure. This licensing pathway is available only for companies with individual shareholders. Corporate shareholders are not permitted at the point of initial formation. However, once the licence is issued, corporate shareholders may be transferred into the company structure through a subsequent amendment.
First-Year Benefits and Deferred Requirements
During the first 12 months of operation, the licence holder benefits from several deferred requirements. A physical office address (Ejari) is not required during Year 1 — the DET temporarily exempts Instant Licence holders from the tenancy contract obligation. The Memorandum of Association (MoA) is issued electronically and does not require notarisation. Trade name reservation is completed at the issuance stage as part of the standard application process.
The licence package issued by the DET includes Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership for commercial activities, a GDRFA establishment card, and a MOHRE establishment card. The initial labour quota available to the licence holder depends on the selected business activity, applicable approvals, and subsequent compliance steps such as obtaining Ejari. Registration of Emirati employees through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is an additional feature available to holders of this licence type.
Applicants should be aware that certain operational steps require additional documentation beyond the initial licence. Opening a corporate bank account typically requires a notarised MoA. Expanding the labour quota beyond the initial allocation requires a commercial space agreement, as the MOHRE mandates a physical office address for higher employee thresholds.
Instant Licence Fees
The DET licence issuance fee structure depends on the selected business activities, legal form, and associated government charges including Dubai Chamber fees and establishment card fees. DET reduced the market fee for this licence type from AED 3,000 to AED 250 as part of its business facilitation reforms. The total cost varies based on the specific activity configuration, and EGSH provides a detailed cost estimate based on the applicant's chosen activities and corporate structure before submission. Fees quoted are current as of publication and are subject to change by DET.
Authority Processing and Issuance
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) processes the application electronically. Once the application is submitted through the official system and payment is confirmed, the licence is issued in approximately 5 minutes. A complete submission means all required documents have been verified, the business activity has been confirmed as eligible, and the applicable fees have been paid in full. Processing may take longer if any document requires clarification or if the selected activity triggers a manual review.
Renewal Requirements After Year One
This licence is valid for one year from the date of issuance. At renewal, the deferred requirements become mandatory. The licence holder must provide a physical office address with a valid Ejari registration. A fully notarised Memorandum of Association is required. The standard trade licence renewal process through the DET applies from the second year onward, and EGSH assists with the full renewal procedure.
Instant Licence Compared to Normal Licence and e-Trader Licence
DET offers three procedural pathways for trade licence registration on the Dubai mainland. The Normal Licence requires a physical office (Ejari), a notarised MoA, and trade name registration at issuance, with processing taking approximately 10 minutes. All legal forms are available, and activities requiring external government approvals are permitted.
The fast-track DET licence processes in approximately 5 minutes and defers the Ejari and MoA notarisation requirements to Year 2. It is available for LLC, One Person LLC, Sole Proprietorship, and Civil Company structures, but only for activities that do not require external approvals. The initial labour quota depends on the business activity and subsequent compliance steps.
The e-Trader Licence is designed specifically for individuals operating businesses through online platforms or social media. It is available only as a Sole Proprietorship, does not require a physical office, and processes in approximately 5 minutes. Activities requiring external government approvals are not eligible.
Entrepreneurs considering Dubai mainland company formation should assess which pathway aligns with their intended activity, legal structure, and operational requirements. For applicants whose business activity requires initial approval from an external authority, the Normal Licence pathway is the appropriate route.
Common Rejection Triggers
Applications may be returned or delayed if the selected business activity requires an external government approval that is incompatible with the fast-track pathway. Incomplete or expired identity documents, mismatched shareholder information, or the absence of a required partner at the service centre are additional grounds for rejection. Applicants should verify activity eligibility with an EGSH consultant before submission.
Visa Eligibility for Instant Licence Holders
Holders of this licence type with qualifying investment thresholds may be eligible for residency pathways, including the Golden Visa for entrepreneurs, subject to meeting the criteria set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai). Visa eligibility is assessed independently by GDRFA and is not determined by the licensing pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Instant Licence in Dubai?
The Instant Licence is a fast-track business licensing pathway issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai. It enables mainland company formation in approximately 5 minutes without requiring a physical office or notarised MoA during the first year of operation.
Who is eligible for an Instant Licence in Dubai?
The Instant Licence is available for four legal structures: LLC, One Person LLC, Sole Proprietorship, and Civil Company. The selected business activity must not require approvals from external government authorities such as Dubai Municipality or the Dubai Health Authority. Only individual shareholders are permitted at the point of initial formation.
What documents are required for an Instant Licence?
Applicants must provide passport copies for all partners, valid Emirates ID copies, and UAE residence or visit visa copies for foreign partners. All shareholders must be physically present at the service centre during submission. Ejari and notarised MoA are not required for the first year.
How much does an Instant Licence cost in Dubai?
The DET market fee for this licence type was reduced from AED 3,000 to AED 250. The total cost depends on the selected business activities, legal form, Dubai Chamber membership fees, and establishment card charges. EGSH provides a detailed cost estimate tailored to the applicant’s specific configuration before submission.
Can I get an Instant Licence without a physical office?
Yes. For the first 12 months, the DET exempts Instant Licence holders from the Ejari requirement, so a physical office address is not needed in Year 1. After the first year, Ejari registration becomes mandatory at the point of licence renewal.
What business activities qualify for an Instant Licence?
Activities that do not require external government approvals are eligible. This includes general trading, management consultancy, IT services, and marketing services, among others. Activities requiring clearance from Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Health Authority, or federal ministries are excluded from this DET fast-track pathway.
How long does it take to get an Instant Licence?
According to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the Instant Licence is issued in approximately 5 minutes once the application is submitted through the official system and payment is processed. Processing may take longer if documents require clarification.
Official Sources
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) — Mainland business licensing
UAE Government Official Portal — Full foreign ownership of commercial companies
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Disclaimer
The information on this page is current as of the date of publication. Fees, processing times, eligibility criteria, and documentary requirements are subject to change by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) without prior notice. EGSH does not guarantee approval of any application. All final decisions rest with the competent government authority.












































































































