A UAE trade license and the three things that define it: jurisdiction, legal structure and license type

UAE & Dubai Trade License - issued in 1–3 days

Starting from AED 5,750*

250K+New licenses issued annually
2500+Activities covered
100%Remote license issuance
15%Annual growth in license issuance
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International invoicing, operating remotely

License + activitiesUp to [3] activitiesVisa-OfficeFlexi-deskEstablishment card-Bank accountDigital bank accountIndia-side ODI supportYes

Residency for founder, hiring a team

License + activitiesUp to [3] activitiesVisa1 visa + Emirates ID + medicalOfficeFlexi-deskEstablishment cardYesBank accountStandard bank accountIndia-side ODI supportYes

Selling across UAE, government contracts

License + activitiesUp to [3] activitiesVisa1 visa + Emirates ID + medicalOfficePhysical officeEstablishment cardYesBank accountStandard bank accountIndia-side ODI supportYes
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Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?

2000+
Companies Registered
95%+
Approval Rate
0%
Service Fee
1 Hour
Response Time
India x UAE
Approval Support
Backed by ANAROCK - India’s Largest Real Estate Company icon

Backed by ANAROCK - India’s Largest Real Estate Company

6 Licenses. Pick Yours in 10 Seconds.

Most Popular iconMost Popular
Best for
Consultants • IT services • Agencies • Trainers
Includes
1–6 visas • Flexi-desk OK
Starts at
AED 12,900
Trade Ready iconTrade Ready
Widest Scope iconWidest Scope
Factory Ready iconFactory Ready
Lowest Entry iconLowest Entry
Solo Only iconSolo Only

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Required documents & what’s included

  • Documents required

    Required documents for business license

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  • What’s included

    Everything in your myHQ setup package

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License in 1–3 Days. All Remotely.

Setup remotely(Steps 1 to 5)

myHQ handles for you

One short trip to UAE(Step 6)

Week 2–4Visa, Emirates ID & bank

One short trip for medical and biometrics. Bank account opens in 2–4 weeks.

  • Investor visa
  • Emirates ID
  • UAE bank account

2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐

Quotation mark

I set up my IFZA company entirely from Mumbai. Never went to Dubai once. myHQ handled the apostille on my Indian documents, submitted the application, and my licence arrived by courier. Total cost AED 14,500 all-in.

Rahul Mahajan

Runs IT consulting business

Quotation mark

We had a trade name conflict with an existing DET business. myHQ suggested three alternatives the same day and we were approved within 48 hours. The process I thought would take weeks took 3 days.

Priya Singh

Founder of Management Consulting Firm

Quotation mark

I was confused between registering as a freelancer and setting up a company. myHQ walked me through the pros and cons, helped me choose the right structure, and had everything sorted without me having to figure out Dubai regulations on my own.

Ananya Gulati

Content Creator

Quotation mark

Every consultant was pushing a different free zone. myHQ actually started by understanding my business, hiring plans, and future goals before recommending the right setup. It saved me from paying for things I didn't need and gave me confidence I was making the right decision.

Karan Gupta

SaaS startup founder

Quotation mark

I only wanted to serve international clients and invoice professionally. myHQ recommended a setup that matched my needs instead of the most expensive option. The entire process was transparent, and I always knew what came next.

Neha Bhasin

Corporate Legal Consultant

Brands that trust myHQBrands that trust myHQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a trade license cost in Dubai?
A Dubai trade license typically costs AED 11,000-25,000 in the first year for free zone professional, commercial and e-commerce licenses, and AED 15,000-40,000 on the Dubai mainland including an Ejari office. General trading licenses run AED 20,000-45,000 and industrial licenses AED 30,000+ plus premises. Each residence visa adds roughly AED 4,000-6,500.
What are the types of business license in Dubai?
Dubai has six main business license types: professional (services and consulting), commercial (trading one family of goods), general trading (unrelated goods), industrial (manufacturing), e-commerce (online selling) and the freelance permit (individuals). DET issues mainland licenses and each free zone issues its own. The activity you choose determines the license type.
How do I renew my trade license in Dubai?
Mainland trade licenses are renewed online through DET's Invest in Dubai platform, and free zone licenses through the relevant free zone portal. You need a valid Ejari or free zone lease, current activity approvals and no outstanding fines. Renewal typically takes 1-3 working days and can be started up to 30 days before expiry.
What is the penalty for late trade license renewal in Dubai?
Late renewal triggers monthly fines; DET has historically charged around AED 250 for each month of delay, and free zones set their own late fees. The bigger cost is operational: an expired license lapses your establishment card, which blocks visa issuance and renewals. Lapses beyond 6-12 months risk suspension, bank account freezes and eventual deregistration.
How can I check license information in Dubai?
Search Dubai mainland licenses by trade name or license number on DET's Invest in Dubai platform or app. For licenses from any emirate, use the UAE Ministry of Economy's National Economic Register. Free zone companies can be checked through the issuing free zone's public directory or verification service.
What documents are required for a trade license in Dubai?
Individual shareholders need a passport copy valid for 6+ months, a passport photo and proof of address; UAE residents also need an Emirates ID, visa copy and sometimes a sponsor NOC. Corporate shareholders need incorporation documents, MOA/AOA and a board resolution, attested in the home country and by the UAE Embassy and MOFA. Some activities need professional certificates or external approvals.
Can an Indian get a UAE business license without visiting Dubai?
Yes. Most free zone licenses and many mainland licenses can be issued remotely using e-signatures and video KYC, typically in 3-7 working days. A visit is usually needed only later, for the residence visa medical and Emirates ID biometrics.
Do Indian residents need RBI approval to own a UAE company?
A resident Indian investing in a UAE company must follow FEMA's Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) rules, usually under the automatic route through an authorised dealer bank. Individuals invest within the Liberalised Remittance Scheme limit of USD 250,000 per financial year, and the ODI forms must be filed on time. The UAE company must also be disclosed in Schedule FA of the Indian income tax return.

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