A trading license in Dubai costs AED 10,000 to 15,000 in mainland government fees. Total first-year cost usually ranges between AED 25,000 and AED 50,000. Free zone packages often start near AED 12,500 and include a flexi-desk.
What Is a Trading License in Dubai?
A trading license is the permit that lets a company import, export, buy and sell goods in Dubai.
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues mainland licenses. Free zone authorities such as IFZA and Meydan Free Zone issue their own.
Types of Trading License and Their Costs
Dubai has three main license types: commercial, professional and industrial. DET government fees range from about AED 10,000 to AED 25,000, depending on the type.
The cost for a commercial license starts from AED 12,000 and can reach AED 25,000. The cost for a professional license starts from about AED 10,000 in DET government fees. The cost for an industrial license starts from AED 15,000 and can reach AED 25,000 in DET government fees.
License type | What it covers | DET fee (AED) | Key note |
Commercial | Buying, selling, importing, exporting, distributing goods | 12,000 to 25,000 | Broadest scope. General trading sits at the high end |
Professional | Skill-based services such as consultancy, IT, legal, engineering | From about 10,000 | Lower fees. Can be a civil company |
Industrial | Manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging | 15,000 to 25,000 | Needs MoIAT registration |
How Much Does a Mainland Trading License Cost?
The cost for a mainland trading license costs around AED 10,000. A mainland license lets you trade anywhere in the UAE. It also opens access to government contracts. See our mainland company formation guide for the full process.
Cost item | Typical amount (AED) |
DET license fee | 10,000 to 15,000 |
Trade name reservation | 620 to 2,620 |
MOA and notarization | 900 to 2,000 |
Chamber of Commerce membership | 300 to 2,200 per one consultant |
Ejari registration | 177.75 to 220 |
Flexi-desk office, per year | 5,000 to 25,000 |
Private office, per year | 15,000 to 50,000+ |
Market fees also apply. Sources describe this fee as a percentage of annual rent, typically 5%. Rates differ between sources, so confirm yours with DET.
How Much Does a Free Zone Trading License Cost?
A free zone trading licence in the UAE typically starts from around AED 5,500, depending on the free zone, trading activity, visa requirements, and office facilities. General trading licences often cost more than licences for specific trading activities. The total setup cost also includes any applicable registration, establishment card, visa, and office fees.
SPC Free Zone advertises a general trading licence from AED 6,875 while Meydan and IFZA licenses cost around AED 12,500 to AED 12,900. Prices rise for zones like DMCC.
Read our guide to the cheapest free zone license in UAE for options.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Cost Comparison
Factor | Mainland | Free zone |
License fee | AED 10,000 to 15,000 | From AED 12,500 |
Office | Ejari-registered office | Flexi-desk often accepted |
UAE market access | Unrestricted | Limited without a distributor |
Chamber membership | Required | Usually not required |
Best for | Local retail and tenders | Export and re-export |
Step-by-Step Government Fees for a New Trade License
A new trade license on the Dubai mainland involves six government fees. For an LLC, they total from about AED 11,660 to AED 27,760 or more. Each step carries its own DET fee, shown below.
1. Trade Name Reservation
The government fee for a trade name reservation starts from AED 620. You reserve the name through DET. The certificate stays valid for 180 days. You must finish the remaining steps in that window.
Premium or restricted names may cost more. The name must reflect your business activity. It cannot include religious references or names of government bodies. It must also be unique in the DET register. Our guide on how to register a company in Dubai covers naming in more detail.
2. Initial Approval
The government fee for initial approval is AED 120. DET confirms it has no objection to your activity, legal form and ownership structure.
Initial approval is not a license. It is a checkpoint that comes before your incorporation documents and final license issuance.
3. Memorandum of Association
MOA notarization costs between AED 900 and AED 2,000 for LLCs and partnerships. The amount depends on your legal form and capital.
The MOA sets out share capital, ownership, management and profit distribution. Single-owner sole establishments do not need a notarized MOA.
4. DET License Issuance Fee
The DET license fee starts from about AED 10,000 and reaches AED 25,000 or more. This is the core government charge. DET calculates it from your activities, legal form and regulatory needs.
A sole establishment costs near AED 10,000. A multi-activity commercial LLC costs near AED 25,000 or more.
Activity fees range from AED 150 to AED 15,000 each. You can register up to 10 activities on one license. Each extra activity adds a charge.
5. Knowledge and Innovation Fees
DET charges AED 10 for the knowledge fee and AED 10 for the innovation fee. Both apply to every license transaction. They appear on each DET payment voucher.
Step | Government fee (AED) | Notes |
Trade name reservation | 620 | Valid for 180 days |
Initial approval | 120 | Required before license issuance |
MOA notarization | 900 to 2,000 | LLCs and partnerships only |
DET license issuance | 10,000 to 25,000+ | Varies by type and activities |
Knowledge fee | 10 | Per transaction |
Innovation fee | 10 | Per transaction |
These figures cover DET charges only. Premises registration, immigration setup and tax compliance cost extra.
Premises-Related Costs
Premises costs start from AED 177.75 for Ejari registration and add a market fee of 5% of annual rent. Office leases range from about AED 5,000 to AED 60,000 or more per year. DET will not issue or renew a trade license without a valid Ejari certificate linked to an active tenancy contract.
Ejari Registration
The Ejari registration fee starts from AED 177.75 online and is AED 220 through a trustee centre. Ejari is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) tenancy registration system.
The online fee, paid through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website, breaks down as follows:
Component | Fee (AED) |
Tenancy registration | 100 |
Knowledge fee | 10 |
Innovation fee | 10 |
Service partner fee | 55 |
VAT on partner fee | 2.75 |
Total | 177.75 |
Market Fee
The DET market fee is 5% of annual rent for commercial premises and 5% for warehouses. DET collects it at license issuance and renewal.
An office rented at AED 50,000 per year adds AED 2,500 to your annual cost. This is a government charge, not a landlord payment. Include it in your licensing budget.
Office Lease
Flexi-desk and virtual office arrangements start from about AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 per year. They satisfy the DET premises requirement for certain activity types.
Dedicated offices in business districts range from AED 15,000 to AED 60,000 or more per year. Location, size and type set the price.
The lease is a commercial expense paid to the landlord. It is separate from government fees.
Immigration and Labour Setup Costs
Visa costs start from about AED 3,000 per person. Businesses that sponsor visas for owners, partners or employees must set up immigration and labour files after license issuance.
Establishment Card
Establishment Card fees depend on your company classification. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) sets them. The card is a prerequisite for work permits and labour contracts.
You need a valid trade license. You must also submit details of owners, authorised signatories, business activity and location. Read our establishment card guide for the application and renewal steps.
Visa Costs
A standard employment residence visa costs about AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 per person. Several authorities charge separate fees:
- Entry permit fee
- Medical fitness exam, paid to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Emirates ID application, paid to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
- Visa stamping, paid to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Investor and partner visas may use different fee structures. See our guide on UAE residency through business in Dubai for details. Our explainer on the Emirates ID covers that step.
Visa costs recur. You must renew each visa within its validity period. Renewal fees are broadly comparable to the initial fees.
Conclusion
Not sure which option fits your business? Contact Momentum for an itemized quote.
