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Trade License in Dubai
Every business in Dubai needs the right licence for its activities. We identify the correct licence type and obtain it for you.
Understanding trade licences
A trade licence is the legal permission for a company to carry out specific activities. In Dubai, mainland licences are issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism, while each free zone issues its own licences.
The licence type follows from your activities: commercial for trading, professional for services and consultancy, industrial for manufacturing, plus specialised licences such as tourism or e-commerce. Choosing the right activities from the start avoids amendments and fines later.
At a glance
- Mainland licences from Dubai DET
- Free zone licences from each zone authority
- Commercial, professional and industrial types
- Renewed annually
- Activities can be added later
Licensing services
- Activity selection
- Licence type advice
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval
- External approvals
- Licence issuance
- Adding or removing activities
- Licence amendments
- Annual renewal
- Licence cancellation
Why set up with Emna Capital
01
One point of contact
A single advisor manages your file from the first call to the day your licence, visas and bank account are ready.
02
The right jurisdiction
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options against your activity, clients and budget before you commit.
03
Paperwork done properly
Applications, attestations and translations are prepared and checked by our team to avoid rejections and delays.
04
Support after setup
Accounting, VAT, corporate tax, renewals and PRO work continue with the same team once you are trading.
How licensing works
Step 1
Free consultation
We discuss your activity, clients, visas and budget and recommend the right route.
Step 2
Documents and approvals
We prepare the application, collect signatures and obtain the required approvals.
Step 3
Licence issued
Fees are paid and the licence and corporate documents issued.
Step 4
Visas and banking
We process visas and support your corporate bank account application.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the authority and licence type. Related activities can often be combined, sometimes with additional fees.
Yes. Activities can be added or removed through an amendment, subject to approvals.
Expired licences attract fines and can block visa and banking services. We track renewal dates for you.
A mainland licence is issued by one emirate. Physical branches in other emirates need their own branch licence.
Talk to an Emna Capital advisor
Tell us what you are planning and we will map out the route, the paperwork and the timeline. The first consultation is free.