Commercial Licence
For buying, selling and trading goods, including general trading, import and export.
Trade licences in Dubai, new or renewed, without the hassle.
Whether you need a new licence, an on-time renewal or a change to your activities, we prepare the paperwork and coordinate with the licensing authority for you.
NewLicence applications
RenewAnnual renewals
15+Government departments
6Days a week open
Trade Licence Services
Keep your licence valid and up to date.
Your trade licence is the foundation of your business in Dubai. A lapsed licence can block visa renewals, banking and government transactions, so staying on top of it matters.
We handle new licence applications, annual renewals and amendments such as adding activities or changing company details — checking for expired documents and missing approvals before they cause delays.
At a glance
- New mainland and free zone licence applications
- Annual renewals with expiry checks
- Adding or changing licensed activities
- Company detail and ownership amendments
Licence Types
The main types of trade licence in Dubai.
Your activity decides the licence category. Getting it right at the start avoids costly amendments later.
Professional Licence
For services based on skills and qualifications, such as consultancy, design and IT services.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing, assembly and other industrial activities.
Tourism Licence
For travel agencies, tour operators, holiday homes and other tourism activities.
What You Need
New, renewal or amendment?
Each request follows a different path. Here is what is usually involved in each.
New Licence
Starting out- Activity selection and trade name reservation
- Initial approval and any external approvals
- Memorandum of association and premises (Ejari)
- Licence issued, then establishment card and visas
Renewal
Every year- Valid Ejari or tenancy for the coming year
- Any approvals that must be renewed for your activity
- Settlement of outstanding fines, if any
- Renewed licence keeps visas and banking running
Amendment
When things change- Adding or removing business activities
- Changing the trade name, manager or address
- Partner or share changes with an updated MOA
- Updated licence, then related records updated
Renewing on time avoids late fines and blocks on visas and government transactions.
Common Changes
Licence amendments we handle regularly.
Businesses change. These are the updates we most often make to an existing licence.
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Add or remove an activity
Expand what your company can legally do, or drop activities you no longer need.
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Change the trade name
A new name that meets the naming rules, reflected on your licence.
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Change the manager
Appoint a new manager and update the licence and related records.
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Add or remove a partner
Share changes with an amended memorandum of association.
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Change of address
A new office with a new Ejari, updated on your licence.
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Change of legal form
For example, converting a sole establishment into an LLC.
What We Handle
Licence support from start to renewal.
We look after every stage of your licence so it never becomes a bottleneck for your business.
New licences
Activity selection, trade name, initial approval and licence issue.
Renewals
Reminders before expiry, document checks and renewal submission.
Activity changes
Adding, removing or changing licensed activities.
Company amendments
Updating trade name, partners, managers or legal form.
Linked approvals
Arranging external approvals your activities require.
Ejari & premises
Making sure your tenancy registration supports the renewal.
How It Works
Our licence process.
A clear sequence from first conversation to completion. Final decisions and timelines rest with the relevant authority.
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01
Licence review
We check your current licence, expiry date and activities.
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02
Document check
We confirm Ejari, passports and approvals are valid.
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03
Submission
We file the application or renewal with the authority.
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04
Licence issued
You receive your new or renewed licence and we note the next renewal.
Documents
What you may need to provide
- Current trade licence copy (for renewals and amendments)
- Valid Ejari or tenancy contract
- Passport and visa copies of partners and managers
- Memorandum of association, if amendments are needed
- Any external approvals linked to your activities
Requirements vary with the authority, your activity and your circumstances. We confirm the exact list for your case before anything is submitted.
Fees & Timelines
What affects cost and timing
- Licence typeProfessional, commercial and industrial licences have different fees.
- Number of activitiesAdditional activities can add to the licence cost.
- Late renewalRenewing after expiry can attract fines, so early renewal saves money.
- Additional approvalsSome activities need approvals from other departments.
Why HDC
Why clients choose us for trade licences.
Documents checked first
We review your paperwork before submission to avoid avoidable rejections and delays.
Clear, honest updates
Transparent quotations and regular progress updates — you always know what happens next.
One team for everything
Setup, PRO, visas, documents and approvals handled from our Al Nahda Centre office.
FAQ
Trade licences questions.
Can't find your answer? Call or WhatsApp our team and we'll guide you.
We recommend starting around a month before expiry. That leaves time to renew Ejari or approvals that must be valid before the licence can be renewed.
Government fines may apply and some transactions, such as visa renewals, can be blocked. We can review your situation and renew as quickly as the authority allows.
Usually yes, as long as the activity is compatible with your legal form and premises. Some activities need extra approvals, which we arrange.
Yes, we can assist with renewals for mainland and many free zone licences. Requirements differ by free zone, so we confirm them for your company.
Related Services
Often needed alongside.
Get Started
Is your trade licencedue for renewal?
Tell us about your requirement and we'll explain the steps, documents and costs — in person at Al Nahda Centre, by phone or on WhatsApp.
