How do I get a trade licence in Dubai?
The short answer, with the official forms and the agencies' own links.
The short answer
For a mainland business, reserve the trade name, get initial approval, then issue the licence online through Invest in Dubai. Free zone companies license through their own free zone authority instead. It renews every year.
The forms involved
Dubai trade licence
Dubai Department of Economy and TourismDubai
Reserve the trade name, get initial approval, then issue the licence online through Invest in Dubai. Free zones license through their own authority instead.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year.
Corporate tax and VAT registration
Federal Tax AuthorityUnited Arab Emirates, national
Every company registers for corporate tax on EmaraTax. VAT registration is required once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 a year.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Full guides
General information, not legal or tax advice. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Dubai
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders