Trade Licence Cancellation

The standard fee for trade licence cancellation set by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is AED 2,000. Additional charges may apply based on the company’s structure and legal status: — Commercial Register Deregistration: AED 2,000 (if applicable) — Liquidation or Dissolution Fee: AED 2,000 (for companies undergoing formal liquidation) — Knowledge Fee and Innovation Fee: AED 20 per transaction Other costs may arise for obtaining required clearances (MOHRE, GDRFA, DEWA), cancelling visas, settling debts, and VAT deregistration. To get an accurate cost tailored to your case, consult an EGSH specialist. We will provide an exact cost breakdown before submission.

The duration of the trade licence cancellation process in Dubai varies based on the company’s legal structure, the completeness of documentation, and the timely acquisition of necessary clearances (40–60 days for sole establishments and civil companies, 60–90 days for LLCs undergoing formal liquidation). With EGSH, all documentation is prepared and submitted correctly, helping avoid unnecessary delays and ensuring compliance with DET procedures.

Yes. Even if your business never started operations, you must legally cancel the commercial licence through DET. Failure to do so may result in accumulated fines, penalties, and non-compliance records in government systems. EGSH handles the cancellation process on your behalf, ensuring legal closure and avoiding unnecessary penalties.

Trade licence cancellation is a mandatory final step after business liquidation in Dubai. Once liquidation procedures are completed—including appointing a licenced liquidator, publishing a creditor notice, and finalising the audit—the licence must be officially cancelled with DET. Without formal cancellation, the company remains legally active and subject to penalties. EGSH ensures full compliance with DET rules by managing the licence termination process.

If your trade name has expired, you must renew it through DET before cancelling the licence. DET systems will not allow submission of a cancellation request if the trade name is inactive. Once the trade name is renewed, you can proceed with the standard cancellation procedure. Both trade name renewal and licence cancellation can be completed through EGSH as a single, compliant process.

Yes. You can cancel your trade licence in Dubai while residing abroad by authorising a licenced representative to act on your behalf. A notarised and attested power of attorney (PoA) must delegate authority for the cancellation process. All supporting documents must also be submitted in compliance with DET regulations.