UAE
Commercial License
For every business that buys, sells, imports or distributes goods.
5–15
Working days
100%
Foreign ownership (most activities)
AED 10,000
Starting from
10
Max activities per licence
Overview
A commercial license in Dubai is a permit issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that lets a business buy, sell, import, or export goods. It costs roughly AED 10,000 to AED 70,000 depending on your activities, jurisdiction and visa needs, and takes about 5 to 15 working days to obtain once your documents are ready.
Commercial License vs Other License Types
A commercial license covers trading in goods; a professional license covers service-based work like consulting, design, or IT services. Ownership rules differ too — professional licenses (as sole establishments) sometimes require a Local Service Agent, while commercial LLCs generally don't.
| License Type | Covers | Typical Structure | Local Service Agent Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Trading goods, import/export, retail, wholesale | LLC, Civil Company, Branch | No (for LLC) |
| Professional | Consulting, IT, marketing, design, legal advisory | Sole Establishment, Civil Company | Often yes, for sole establishments |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, assembly, processing | LLC | No |
| General Trading | Unrestricted range of goods under one umbrella license | LLC | No |
| Tourism | Travel agencies, tour operators | LLC | No |
The Local Service Agent fee, where it applies, typically runs AED 5,000–8,000 per year — a recurring cost a commercial LLC structure avoids.
Commercial License Requirements
Meeting these up front avoids the most common cause of delay: applying before confirming your activity code is actually eligible for a standard commercial license rather than a general trading or restricted-activity license.
- A trade name approved by DET, avoiding names that are offensive, already registered, or reference religious/government bodies without permission
- A physical office or flexi-desk with a valid lease (Ejari-registered for mainland)
- A business activity that legally falls under the commercial license category
- An ownership structure that complies with either the 100% foreign ownership rules or the local partnership requirement, depending on the activity
- Initial approval confirming DET has no objection to you proceeding
- A notarized Memorandum of Association (MOA) for LLCs with more than one shareholder
- Payment of all applicable government and knowledge/innovation fees
Activities Covered by a Commercial License
Automobiles
Computer Systems & Communication Equipment
Contracting
Foodstuffs
Furniture
Medical & Surgical Equipment
Readymade Garments
Software
Advantages of a Commercial License
10
Allied Activities on One License
Undertake up to ten allied commercial activities under a single Commercial License.
100%
Repatriation of Capital & Profits
Fully repatriate your capital and profits with no restrictions.
Unlimited Foreign Hiring
Hire as many foreign workers as you want, as long as you have the commercial space to employ them.
Import & Export Rights
Import items from abroad and/or export them overseas under your licence.
Documents Required for a Commercial License
Food, healthcare and construction-related activities almost always trigger an extra layer of approval beyond this base list.
- Application form with company name in English & Arabic
- Original leasing contract for registered office
- Permission letter from Dubai Municipality to use the office as a business address
- Department of Economic Development approval letter of the trade name
- Payment proof for the license
- Passport size color photos of the applicants
- NOC certificate
- Letter of intent of business
- Complete business plan
- Shared capital details
- Financial statements
- Notarized copy of Registry Identification form
How to Get a Commercial License in Dubai
Most straightforward cases complete in 5 to 10 working days.
- 1
Select your business activity
Confirm it falls under the commercial category and check if it needs external approval.
- 2
Choose your legal structure
LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Civil Company, or Branch Office, based on shareholder count and liability preference.
- 3
Reserve your trade name
DET checks availability; reservation typically costs AED 620–2,000.
- 4
Apply for initial approval
This confirms DET has no objection to your business concept, but it isn't the license itself.
- 5
Draft and notarize your MOA/AOA
Required for any LLC with more than one shareholder.
- 6
Secure your office lease
Register it through Ejari; free zones may allow a flexi-desk instead.
- 7
Submit your full document set and pay fees
Includes the license fee, Chamber of Commerce registration, and any activity-specific charges.
- 8
Receive your commercial license
You can now legally trade, sign contracts, open a corporate bank account, and sponsor visas.
Cost of a Commercial License in Dubai
The license fee alone typically ranges from AED 10,000 to AED 25,000. Once you add office rent, MOA notarization, an establishment card and one investor visa, first-year total cost usually lands between AED 15,000 and AED 55,000 for a mainland setup.
| Cost Component | Typical Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620 – 2,000 |
| Initial approval | 100 – 500 |
| Commercial license fee | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| MOA notarization | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Chamber of Commerce registration | 620 – 1,200 |
| Office lease / Ejari (varies widely by location) | 15,000 – 40,000+ per year |
| Establishment card | 1,500 – 2,000 |
| Per investor visa | 3,500 – 7,000 |
| E-commerce activity add-on (if needed) | 5,000 – 10,000 |
Figures are indicative and subject to authority changes — confirm current fees with your consultant.
Mainland vs Free Zone Commercial License
Choose mainland if you need to trade directly with the local UAE market or bid on government contracts. Choose a free zone if you're trading internationally or online.
| Factor | Mainland (DET) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Market access | Full UAE market, including government contracts | Restricted; needs a distributor or dual license to sell directly on the mainland |
| Ownership | 100% foreign for most activities | 100% foreign, always |
| Office requirement | Physical lease usually mandatory | Flexi-desk often acceptable |
| Typical starting cost | AED 15,000–25,000 (license only) | AED 5,750–17,500 (often bundled with office and visa) |
| Visa sponsorship | Tied to office size | Tied to package tier |
| Best for | Retail, local trading, government-facing business | E-commerce, international trading, holding companies |
Foreign Ownership Rules & Renewal
Yes, for most commercial activities, you can own 100%. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, which consolidated the 2020 Commercial Companies Law reform, removed the general requirement for 51% Emirati ownership on the UAE mainland.
Before 2021, mainland companies needed a UAE national or UAE-owned entity to hold at least 51% of shares. That requirement was abolished for the large majority of commercial, industrial and professional activities — today covering well over 1,000 eligible activities.
A commercial license is valid for one year and renews annually by paying the renewal fee and updating your lease documentation. Late renewal triggers a daily fine that increases the longer the license stays lapsed, and a fully expired license can block visa renewals, bank transactions and contract enforcement until it's reinstated. You cannot convert a commercial license directly into a professional or industrial license — the correct route is cancelling the existing license and applying fresh under the new category.
Why Choose Evolva for Your Commercial License?
Activity Code Expertise
We confirm your activity is genuinely eligible for a standard commercial license before you apply, avoiding the most common cause of delay.
Full Document Preparation
From the MOA to the business plan, we prepare and notarize every required document correctly the first time.
Transparent Cost Breakdown
You see every fee component up front — trade name, license, office, establishment card and visas — with no surprises.
Mainland & Free Zone Guidance
We help you weigh market access against setup cost to choose the jurisdiction that fits your trading model.
Renewal & Compliance Tracking
We track your renewal window and manage annual compliance so your license never lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your Commercial License setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
Related Services
Trade License
The legal permit that lets your company carry out a specified commercial activity anywhere in the UAE.
Ecommerce License
Sell products and services online legally in the UAE, across your own store, marketplaces and social channels.
General Trading License
Trade an unrestricted range of general goods under a single licence instead of activity-specific permits.
Ready to get started with Commercial License?
Speak with an Evolva consultant today and get a tailored quote for your business setup.