Trade licence renewal in Dubai: what do you need to check?

Mainland or free zone: who renews your licence?

Look at the name of the authority on your current licence. This is the best starting point. A Dubai mainland licence is handled through Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Invest in Dubai provides an online renewal service. A free-zone company follows the renewal process of its own free-zone authority.

Do not assume that a checklist from one free zone applies to another, or to a mainland company. For example, Dubai Development Authority (DDA) publishes its own commercial licence renewal process. It asks companies to apply through its portal, provide documents where required and pay the applicable fees. That is a DDA example, not a rule for every Dubai company.

Not sure which type of company you have? Our mainland vs free zone guide explains the difference in plain English.

What should you prepare before applying?

Open the official renewal service or ask the issuing authority for the current checklist. Keep your existing licence and company number ready. Then check which supporting documents apply to your company. Not every application needs the same documents.

Use your company’s registered contact details and check that you can receive messages sent to them. If another person manages the application, agree who will receive updates and who will provide missing information. A submitted application is not the same as an approved renewal.

• Confirm the expiry date and the exact company name on the licence.
• Check that the listed activities still describe what the business does.
• Ask whether tenancy documents, owner identification or other company records are needed.
• Check whether an outside authority must renew an approval for your activity.
• Ask whether outstanding items must be resolved before the renewal can finish.

Do you need an office contract or Ejari?

Your address arrangement matters, but there is no single premises checklist for every Dubai licence. Check whether your authority needs a current tenancy contract, Ejari record or a renewed free-zone office agreement for your particular company. Ejari is the registration system for Dubai tenancy contracts; it is not a business licence.

If you use a shared workspace, ask the provider which documents they supply and whether your arrangement remains suitable for the licensed activity. If you plan to move, do not assume that the licence renewal also changes your registered address. Ask whether an address change is a separate request.

For the address options and questions to ask, read our office, address and Ejari guide.

What does trade licence renewal in Dubai cost?

There is no one renewal price that applies to every company. The authority, licence, activities, premises arrangement and any additional services affect what you pay. Request a written breakdown for your specific licence instead of comparing headline prices alone.

Separate the authority’s charges from the adviser’s service fee. Also ask about office or workspace renewal, additional approvals, any outstanding charges and optional services. A low advertised renewal price may describe only one part of the work. The final official payment request is the place to confirm the authority’s actual charges.

If your company details or activities are changing, explain this before requesting a quote. Ask which amounts are for renewal and which are for changes. This helps avoid paying for a package that does not cover the application you actually need.

When should you start, and what can delay it?

Check the expiry date now and ask your authority when you can begin. Leave time to collect documents, resolve queries and arrange payment. Do not rely on a general grace period or a processing-time promise from another company’s experience.

An expired tenancy agreement, missing activity approval or a change in company details can mean extra work. If your licence has already expired, contact the authority promptly to confirm the next steps and any applicable charges. Avoid quoting a universal late fee: the rules must be checked for the issuing authority and your case.

After approval, download the renewed licence and check its dates and details. Save the payment receipt and share the updated document where it is needed. Ask your bank or other providers whether their company records need updating.

What about visas, Emirates ID and tax?

Treat the licence, residence visas, Emirates ID and any company immigration records as separate items to check. Paying the business licence renewal bill does not mean every other document has been renewed. Ask which records need action and which costs are included in the agreed support.

Tax filing and record-keeping are also separate from the licensing process. Do not assume that a renewed licence means your company has completed its tax obligations. Keep a calendar for each relevant task and ask a qualified specialist about your own requirements.

For card and residency questions, our Emirates ID renewal guide explains what to check separately.