Trade License in Dubai, UAE

A trade license is a mandatory legal document that allows businesses to operate in Dubai and across the UAE. It authorizes specific commercial activities and is essential whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an existing business.

Why Partner with AYN Business Consultants?

  • In-Depth Industry Knowledge
  • Fast & Streamlined Licensing Process
  • Customized Licensing Solutions
  • Regulatory Compliance Support
  • Continuous Business Guidance
Unlock the full potential of the UAE market. Let AYN Business Consultants handle the formalities while you focus on growth.
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    UAE Trade License Made Easy with AYN Business Consultants

    Start your business in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE confidently. Our expert team handles every step of obtaining your UAE business license (trade license) so you can focus on growth. Contact us today to get started.

    A UAE trade license is your entry ticket to the business world​. It is a government-issued permit that legally authorizes you to conduct your chosen business activities in the Emirates. Every company must secure the appropriate trade license before starting operations. AYN Business Consultants specializes in helping entrepreneurs understand and fulfill all licensing requirements – whether you need a Dubai trade license, a free zone license, or any other UAE business license – so you can start a business in the UAE without delay.

    Why Choose AYN Business Consultants for Your Trade License?

    AYN Business Consultants is your trusted partner for business setup in UAE. Our seasoned consultants have extensive experience with Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) and all free zone authorities. We offer:

    • Expert Guidance:
    • We handle the complex paperwork, approvals, and local regulations on your behalf, ensuring a smooth, error-free process.
    • Fast Processing:
    • Our knowledge of local processes and requirements means you’ll avoid delays. We work quickly to get your trade license approved.
    • Customized Solutions:
    • Whether you need a Mainland license in Dubai or a Dubai Freezone license, we tailor our services to your industry and goals.
    With AYN by your side, setting up your UAE business license is fast, efficient and hassle-free.

    Popular Business Licenses in the UAE

    AYN Business Consultants assists with all major UAE trade licenses. Some common license types include:

    Freelance License
    Ideal for solo professionals & creatives
    Business Consultancy
    Advise businesses on operations, growth & strategy
    Cafeteria License
    Start your café or small food outlet
    Consultancy License
    For business, HR, finance, and legal consultants
    E-Commerce License
    Sell products or services online
    Food Truck License
    Start a mobile food business in the UAE
    Marketing License
    Run digital, media, and traditional marketing services
    Financial Consultancy
    Provide professional financial advice
    Manpower License
    Recruit & manage human resources legally
    Recruitment License
    Facilitate local & international hiring services
    Travel Agency License
    Run your own travel booking business
    Tourism License
    Offer tourism services & guided tours
    Influencer License
    Legally monetize your social media presence
    E-Trader License
    For home-based digital entrepreneurs
    Professional License
    For skilled professionals & service providers
    Commercial License
    Trade in goods & general business activities
    Industrial License
    Set up manufacturing or production units
    Small Business License
    Launch a low-cost startup with ease
    Event Management License
    Organize events, exhibitions & shows
    Commercial Broker License
    Act as intermediary for buying/selling services
    • Freelance License: Enables individuals to operate as self-employed professionals under their own name​dda.gov.ae. This is ideal for freelancers in creative, tech, or education fields.
    • Event Management License: Mandatory for organizing events like conferences, exhibitions, weddings, and concerts. An event license has become essential due to the UAE’s booming events sector​shuraa.com.
    • Cafeteria License: A special F&B permit that lets you open and manage a cafe or small eatery in Dubai or a free zone​dhanguard.com. This also covers opening food trucks and small restaurants.
    • Food Truck License: Covers mobile catering operations. Essentially a variant of the cafeteria license, it allows you to run a food truck or street food van​dhanguard.com.
    • Consultancy License: A type of Professional License for firms providing expert advice (business, management, IT, marketing, etc.)​mazeed.com. For example, business consultancy services fall under this license.
    • Business Consultancy License: Similar to a Consultancy License, this is used by companies offering management or strategy consulting to other businesses.
    • Marketing License: For agencies handling advertising, public relations, or marketing services. This is also issued as a Professional (service) license.
    • Financial Consultancy License: Required for financial advisors and consultants. It permits services like budgeting, debt management, fundraising, and other financial advisory​startanybusiness.ae.
    • Manpower License: Lets a company supply labor and staffing to other businesses in the UAE. This license authorizes you to act as a manpower provider or HR agency​dubaifreezonecompany.com.
    • Recruitment License: Needed for employment agencies. Under this, a Brokerage License allows you to match UAE employers with candidates, while a Temporary Recruitment License enables you to hire on behalf of companies and sponsor foreign workers​dubiz.co.
    • Travel Agency License: For businesses selling travel services. With this license you can issue flight tickets, holiday packages, travel insurance, visas, and hotel bookings​ifza.com.
    • Tourism License: Required for tour operators and companies in the hospitality sector. It enables services like guided tours, hotel bookings, and general tourism activities​mazeed.com.
    • E-Commerce License: Required for online retailers and internet-based businesses. This license allows you to sell products or services through websites or social media channels​mazeed.com.
    • E-Trader License: A special category for UAE or GCC nationals to trade via social media platforms. It permits you to market and sell goods online (e.g. through Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)​u.ae.
    • Professional License: Covers individual specialists (doctors, engineers, designers, etc.) and small firms providing expert services​mazeed.com. It allows 100% foreign ownership without a local partner.
    • Commercial License: For companies engaged in buying/selling goods and general trading. This license lets you import/export and trade products within and outside the UAE​mazeed.com.
    • Industrial License: For manufacturers and producers. It authorizes industrial activities like manufacturing, processing, or assembly of goods​mazeed.com (e.g. factories, workshops).
    • Small Business License: An entry-level license for micro and small enterprises. It covers limited activities and offers a simplified setup at an affordable fee (around AED 10,000–12,000)​mazeed.com.
    • Influencer (Social Media) License: Required for content creators and influencers. It is officially called an e-Media license and allows you to legally monetize social media content​dubiz.co.
    • Commercial Broker License: Allows you to act as a business intermediary or broker. For example, commercial brokers facilitate deals and partnerships in sectors like real estate or import/export​emirabiz.com.

    Mainland vs. Freezone Trade Licenses

    Feature

    Mainland License

    Free Zone License

    Ownership

    Historically required 51% UAE partner, but now many activities allow 100% foreign ownership​infibiz.ae.

    Allows 100% foreign ownership (no UAE partner needed)​infibiz.ae.

    Business Scope

    Operate anywhere in the UAE (no geographic restrictions)​infibiz.ae. You can trade locally and internationally.

    Operate within the free zone and internationally​infibiz.ae. (A local distributor is needed for mainland UAE business.)

    Office Requirements

    Must rent a physical office in the UAE (minimum size applies)​infibiz.ae.

    Flexible: choose a physical office or a virtual/flexi-desk package, as per free zone rules​infibiz.ae.

    Visa Eligibility

    No limit on visas (depends on office size)​infibiz.ae.

    Visa quota is set by the free zone (typically 1–6 visas with a basic package)​infibiz.ae.

    Government Approvals

    Requires approvals from DED, MOHRE, Municipality, etc.​infibiz.ae.

    Only requires approval from the chosen free zone authority​infibiz.ae. Less red tape.

    • In summary, a Mainland license (Dubai trade license) lets you sell to the local market and bid on government contracts, but often involves more approvals and sometimes a local sponsor​infibiz.ae​infibiz.ae. A Free Zone license (Dubai Freezone license) gives you full foreign ownership and tax advantages, but business is generally confined to the free zone or export only​infibiz.ae​infibiz.ae. AYN Business Consultants can advise which setup fits your goals.

    How to Get a Trade License in UAE

    Obtaining your UAE business license is a step-by-step process. In general, the procedure is:

    1. Select your jurisdiction and activity: Decide whether to set up in Dubai mainland, a free zone, or offshore, and choose the exact business activities you want​dubiz.co.
    2. Choose a company name: Reserve a trade name that complies with UAE naming rules.
    3. Define your legal structure: Choose between structures like LLC, sole proprietorship, branch, etc. This affects liability and visa eligibility.
    4. Apply for initial approval: Submit your business plan and required forms to the DED (for mainland) or the free zone authority. Obtain the preliminary approvals for your license​dubiz.co.
    5. Get special approvals (if needed): Certain activities (healthcare, food, construction, etc.) require extra permits from UAE ministries or government departments. AYN will help you secure these.
    6. Secure your office space: Mainland companies must lease a physical office and obtain the Ejari tenancy contract. Free zones offer flexible office solutions (virtual offices or flexi-desks)​dubiz.co.
    7. Gather documentation: Prepare passport copies, NOCs, bank reference letters, and any attested certificates as required for your license application.
    8. Submit the license application: Provide all documents and approvals to the chosen authority (DED or free zone). Pay the relevant trade license fees.
    9. Pay fees and receive your license: After review, the authority issues your UAE trade license​dubiz.co. With your license in hand, you can legally start your business and apply for visas.

    Following these steps (as detailed by Dubai’s Department of Economic Development​dubiz.co​dubiz.co) with AYN’s guidance ensures a smooth, compliant process.

    Cost of a Trade License in UAE

    License fees vary widely by business type and location. In Dubai, a basic trade license typically starts at around AED 10,000–15,000 for small setups​mazeed.com​safaristar.me. Free zone licenses can be lower (from about AED 10,000) or higher depending on the free zone and inclusions​safaristar.me. Additional factors affecting cost include:

    • Office rent: Mainland requires renting a commercial space (often AED 15,000–50,000+ per year)​safaristar.me. Free zones offer flexible plans (AED 10,000–50,000).
    • Visa and government fees: Visas cost roughly AED 4,000–7,000 each on mainland, plus medical/ID fees​safaristar.me. Free zone visas can be cheaper. A mainland company may also pay sponsor or local agent fees (AED 5,000–15,000/year)​safaristar.me.
    • Approvals and services: Initial approvals, name reservation, Memorandum of Association (MOA) drafting, and PRO services can add a few thousand dirhams​safaristar.me​safaristar.me.
    • Chamber and other fees: Mainland companies pay Chamber of Commerce fees (~AED 1,200–2,300)​safaristar.me, which free zone packages often include.
      Overall, first-year setup costs (license + visa + office) can range from AED 25,000 to over AED 100,000​safaristar.me. AYN provides transparent quotes and works within your budget to find the right solution.
    • What is a trade license and why do I need one?
      A trade license is an official permit that allows you to legally conduct business in the UAE. It protects both your business and customers by ensuring you meet local regulations. Every company – from a Dubai general trading company to a freelance consultant – must have the proper UAE business license before starting operations​safaristar.me.
    • What are the main types of trade licenses?
      The UAE mainly issues Commercial, Professional, Industrial, Tourism, and E-commerce licenses​dubiz.co​dubiz.co. In practice, these cover trading companies, service providers, manufacturers, tourism businesses, and online retailers. There are also specialized permits (e.g. Travel Agency License, Food & Beverage License, Manpower License) for specific industries.
    • What’s the difference between Mainland and Free Zone licenses?
      Mainland licenses (issued by the DED) let you trade anywhere in the UAE and bid on government projects. They traditionally required a local sponsor, but now many activities allow full foreign ownership​infibiz.ae. Free Zone licenses grant 100% foreign ownership​infibiz.ae and tax benefits, but limit you to doing business within the zone or abroad​infibiz.ae. AYN can advise you on choosing the right Freezone license in Dubai or Mainland license based on your needs.
    • How much does a UAE trade license cost?
      Costs depend on business activity and location. A basic Dubai trade license starts around AED 10,000–15,000​mazeed.com. Mainland setups have extra costs (office rent, visas, local sponsor) while Freezone packages bundle many services​safaristar.me. We provide an itemized estimate for your specific case, but typically first-year costs (license + visa + office) range from AED 25,000 up.
    • Can foreigners own 100% of the company?
      Yes. In Free Zones, foreigners always have 100% ownership. On the Mainland, UAE law now allows 100% foreign ownership in over a thousand activities​infibiz.ae. AYN will help you structure ownership correctly, and connect you with reliable local service agents if needed.
    • How long is a trade license valid?
      Most trade licenses in the UAE are valid for one year. You must renew annually to continue operations. For example, Dubai mainland companies have a 30-day grace period after expiry to renew​dubiz.co. AYN can manage your renewal process (which requires resubmitting documents and fees) so you never accidentally lapse.

    Start Your Business Today with AYN Business Consultants

    AYN Business Consultants makes company setup and licensing straightforward:

    • Expert Guidance: We know UAE business setup inside and out – from trade license applications to visa processing.
    • Full-Service Support: Our team handles all approvals, PRO services, and documentation so you can focus on your vision.
    • Speed & Reliability: With local contacts and experience, we fast-track your license approval and avoid pitfalls.

    Ready to launch your UAE company? Contact AYN Business Consultants now for a free consultation. Our experts will design a customized plan (Dubai mainland license, Freezone license Dubai, or offshore setup) so you can start operating legally as soon as possible.

    Call us or fill out our online form today to turn your business idea into reality with the right UAE trade license.

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