Dubai is now a major global business hub. Thanks to its location between Europe, Asia, and Africa, it serves as a central meeting point for international trade and investment. Consulting with local authorities or PRO advisors in Dubai is the best way to navigate the licensing process quickly and correctly. With decades of experience handling trade license bureaucracy, our team helps you start investing in Dubai as fast as possible.
Dubai’s strategic importance
Dubai attracts foreign investors with free zones, tax incentives, and simple regulations. It has become a leading financial centre in the Middle East, supported by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a stable financial system, and strong regulation. Together with world‑class infrastructure and a pro‑business environment, these factors make Dubai a gateway to regional and global markets.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) issues and renews trade licenses, registers businesses, and works to attract foreign investment. It also offers advisory services, market intelligence, and help with permits, making it central to Dubai’s growth and pro‑business ecosystem.
What is a trade license?
Dubai issued over 50,000 licenses in 2023, and this number is rising. A trade license is the legal permission your company needs to operate in the emirate. It confirms your business activity, gives your company legal status, and proves you comply with local regulations.
A trade license also:
- Allows authorities to monitor and regulate business activity through renewals and updates.
- Keeps you aligned with tax, labour, and insurance rules.
- Protects investors and stakeholders by keeping you within the legal framework.
- Helps safeguard trademarks, trade names, and other intellectual property.
Main types of trade license
Understanding the main license types helps you choose the right option for your business.
Commercial license
- For buying and selling goods, including import, export, distribution, wholesale, retail, and e‑commerce.
- Best for trading companies and retailers focused on products and merchandise.
Professional license
- For service businesses such as consultants, lawyers, accountants, and healthcare providers.
- Focuses on skills and expertise rather than trading goods.
Industrial license
- For manufacturing, processing, or assembling products.
- Designed for factories and industrial operations that need approval for production activities.
Tourism license
- For travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism service providers.
- Governed by rules specific to the tourism and hospitality sector.
Choosing correctly is essential, and a specialist PRO agency like PRO Services Dubai can help you match your activities to the right license.
How to get a trade license
Anyone importing, exporting, or doing commercial activities in Dubai needs a DED‑issued trade license. Working with a specialist PRO agency like PRO Services Dubai makes the process faster and easier, from choosing the structure to submitting documents. Our experienced PROs also support foreign entrepreneurs who need a local sponsor.
Under UAE law, many mainland businesses require a local sponsor or, for some professions, a local service agent. Some free zones allow 100% foreign ownership instead, applying their own regulations rather than federal company law.
Well‑drafted sponsorship agreements can give foreign owners strong operational control, even when a local sponsor holds majority shares. The time to obtain a license depends on your business activity, structure, location, and how quickly you provide complete documents, but PRO support helps you avoid delays.
Typical steps before approval
Before you apply, you should:
- Define your business activity and legal structure.
- Choose your location (mainland or free zone).
- If needed, agree terms with a local sponsor or service agent.
- Prepare and notarise key documents such as the Memorandum of Association.
- Submit your application and respond promptly to any requests from authorities.
Only after these steps are complete will your final trade license be issued. Processing times vary with business complexity, location, and authority approvals.
Costs and free zone benefits
License costs include government fees, sponsorship, office space, and activity‑specific approvals. The typical range is 15,000–50,000 AED, depending on your setup. At PRO Services Dubai, trade license packages start from AED 12,500 (LLC), with a usual turnaround of 7–10 working days, subject to approvals.
Free zones can offer:
These benefits make free zones attractive, but the choice between free zone and mainland should reflect your market, activities, and growth plans. Our PRO team can help you weigh options and select the most cost‑effective route.
Trade license services in Dubai
Whether you need a new license or a renewal, PRO Services Dubai has helped thousands of entrepreneurs set up and expand their businesses. We are recognised as a trusted partner for individuals, families, and companies navigating relocation and setup in the UAE.
Dubai offers strong incentives: no personal or corporate income tax, reduced bureaucracy, and robust infrastructure such as Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali Port. This, combined with a stable political environment and diverse sectors like tourism, finance, technology, and healthcare, makes Dubai highly attractive for investors.
The city also offers rich networking and support through entities such as the DED, Dubai Chamber, Dubai SME, free zones, and industry councils. These networks help you build connections, access insights, and find partners for growth.
Why compliance matters
Running a successful business in Dubai means understanding the local ecosystem and staying compliant. Trade licenses underpin legal recognition, consumer protection, and smooth operations, while the DED safeguards a fair and business‑friendly environment.
Compliance helps you:
- Build trust with customers and authorities.
- Reduce legal and operational risks.
- Protect your investments and access new markets.
Whether you manage the process yourself or work with a specialist PRO agency, understanding the rules from day one lays the foundation for long‑term success in Dubai’s dynamic market. If you have questions about working in Dubai, starting a company, or getting a visa to invest, contact us and our team will be happy to help.
