UAE Business Setup
Dubai Trade Licence Types and Costs for Small and Home Businesses (2026)
- Author
- Abdur Rouf Jibon
- Publish Date
- Latest Update
Dubai has five mainland licence types (commercial, professional, industrial, tourism and agricultural) plus low-cost options for small and home businesses. Approximate yearly costs: the e-Trader licence from about AED 1,370, a freelance permit from about AED 7,500, free zone packages from about AED 5,750, and mainland licences from about AED 10,000 to 25,000, before visas and office.
This guide explains which licence fits which kind of small business, what each costs, and how to choose.
Costs were checked on 29 October 2026, mostly from UAE business-setup guides, which often disagree. Licence fees, packages and eligibility change often; confirm with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the relevant free zone or the Dubai Development Authority before you apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is a trade licence in Dubai?
A trade licence is the official permit to run a business in Dubai. It names your legal form (for example sole establishment or LLC), your activities (what you're allowed to do), your location (mainland or a free zone) and your owners. Banks, payment providers, marketplaces and the tax authority all ask for it.
Licences are issued by:
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for the mainland
Free zone authorities (such as DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai CommerCity, or the Dubai Development Authority for zones like Dubai Internet City) for free zones
What are the types of trade licence in Dubai?
Mainland licence types (DET)
Licence type | For | Approx. licence cost (yearly) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial | Trading goods: shops, online stores, import and export | About AED 10,000 to 25,000 | Depends on activities, legal form and owners |
Professional | Services: consulting, marketing, design, IT, beauty and similar | About AED 9,500 to 25,000 | Often allows 100% foreign ownership for many activities |
Industrial | Manufacturing and production | About AED 12,000 to 18,000+ | Needs a physical facility |
Tourism | Travel agencies, tour operators, hospitality | Varies | Extra tourism approvals |
Agricultural | Farming and related activities | Varies | Less common for small businesses |
Ranges from 2026 UAE business-setup guides (sources below). A full mainland setup with office, visas and other fees usually costs much more in the first year.
Licences for small and home businesses
Option | Who it suits | Approx. yearly cost | Visa | Office needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
e-Trader licence (DET) | Individuals selling online from home, especially on social media; clearly open to UAE and GCC nationals in Dubai | About AED 1,370 | No | No |
Intelaq home business licence (DET) | UAE and GCC nationals living in Dubai who run a business from home | About AED 1,050 a year in DET fees, plus other charges; check with DET | No | No |
Freelance permit (for example GoFreelance from the Dubai Development Authority) | Individual professionals in tech, media, education and design | From about AED 7,500 (licence only) | Available, at extra cost | No |
Free zone licence | Most expat-owned small businesses and online stores | From about AED 5,750 (low-cost zones) to AED 12,500–35,000+ | Usually available | Flexi-desk in most packages |
Instant Licence (DET, via Invest in Dubai) | Low-risk commercial and professional activities on DET's eligible list; regulated activities excluded | Varies | Varies | Check with DET |
How much does a trade licence cost in Dubai?
The licence fee is only part of the first-year cost. Budget for:
Cost | Approx. amount |
|---|---|
Licence | From about AED 1,370 (e-Trader) to AED 25,000+ (mainland) |
Office or flexi-desk | None for e-Trader and freelance; included in many free zone packages; mainland premises need an Ejari-registered lease |
Residence visa | Often about AED 3,000 to 7,000+ per visa including medical and Emirates ID |
Activity approvals | For food, cosmetics, health, education and other regulated activities |
Business bank account | Often free; some banks need a minimum balance |
Dubai Chamber membership | Required for many mainland licences |
Renewal | Every year; budget the same again |
Freelance example: the GoFreelance licence is about AED 7,500 a year, and total first-year costs including a residence visa are often reported at about AED 15,000 to 18,000. Freelance visa availability has changed in the past, so check with GoFreelance that new permits and visas are being issued before you apply.
Online seller example: an e-Trader licence costs about AED 1,370 in government fees, with no office or visa costs.
Which licence do I need?
If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
Sell products online from home, as a UAE or GCC national | e-Trader licence |
Sell products online as an expat, or want a visa | Free zone ecommerce or trading licence |
Offer a skill as an individual (design, IT, media, teaching) | Freelance permit or a professional licence |
Run a shop, showroom or salon in the city | Mainland commercial or professional licence |
Manufacture products | Industrial licence |
Want to sell to government or bid on mainland contracts | Mainland licence |
Run a home business as a UAE or GCC national | Intelaq home business licence (check DET) |
Choosing between free zone and mainland:
Free zone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
Ownership | 100% foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership for many activities |
Where you can trade | Within the zone and internationally; online sales to UAE customers usually allowed, but check selling to the mainland | Anywhere in the UAE |
Office | Flexi-desk or office in the zone | Physical premises with Ejari |
Cost | Often lower to start | Usually higher |
Best for | Online businesses, consultants, holding companies | Shops, local services, government contracts |
For online stores specifically, see how to get an ecommerce licence in Dubai.
How do I get a trade licence in Dubai?
Choose your activity from the authority's activity list. It must match what you'll actually do.
Choose mainland or free zone and your legal form (sole establishment, LLC, branch).
Reserve a trade name.
Get initial approval from DET or the free zone.
Get any external approvals for regulated activities.
Arrange premises: none for e-Trader and freelance; flexi-desk or office for free zones; Ejari-registered premises for mainland.
Pay the fees and receive your licence, usually electronically.
Apply for visas if your package includes them.
Open a business bank account, and register for corporate tax and, when required, VAT.
Simple licences such as e-Trader and some free zone packages can be issued online within days; mainland licences with premises and approvals usually take longer.
What happens after I get my licence?
Corporate tax: most businesses must register. The rate is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, with Small Business Relief available for revenue of AED 3 million or less (by election).
VAT: register once taxable sales pass AED 375,000 in 12 months. See VAT registration in the UAE.
Renew every year, and keep activities, address and owners up to date.
Set up how you'll sell: for online businesses, a store, payments, delivery and WhatsApp. See how to start an online business in Dubai.
Common licence mistakes
Choosing the wrong activity and finding your bank, payment provider or marketplace won't accept it
Picking the cheapest free zone without checking whether you can sell to your customers and open a bank account easily
Forgetting visa and renewal costs when comparing packages
Trading before the licence is issued
Using an e-Trader licence for something it doesn't cover, such as a physical shop
Once you're licensed: set up your store with Nodi
Nodi gives licensed UAE businesses an online store in English and Arabic with AED prices; card payments and cash on delivery; Aramex delivery; UAE VAT invoices; a POS for your counter; and an AI sales agent that answers WhatsApp and Instagram customers in English or Arabic, takes the order and sends a payment link in the chat. Plans start from AED 59 a month, and you can try the full Scale plan for 30 days for AED 3.
See Nodi for ecommerce · Start your AED 3 trial
Related guides: How to Get an Ecommerce Licence in Dubai · VAT Registration in the UAE for Online Sellers and Shops · 15 Small Business Ideas in Dubai You Can Run Online
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of trade licence in Dubai?
Mainland licences from DET are commercial, professional, industrial, tourism and agricultural. Small businesses can also use the e-Trader licence, the Intelaq home business licence for UAE and GCC nationals, freelance permits and free zone licences.
How much does a trade licence cost in Dubai?
Roughly AED 1,370 a year for an e-Trader licence, from about AED 5,750 for low-cost free zone packages, about AED 7,500 for a GoFreelance permit, and about AED 10,000 to 25,000 for a mainland licence, before visas and office costs.
What is the cheapest trade licence in Dubai?
The e-Trader licence, at about AED 1,370 a year, but it's for individuals selling online from home and is clearly open to UAE and GCC nationals. For expats, low-cost free zone packages and freelance permits are usually the cheapest.
How much is a freelance licence in Dubai?
The GoFreelance licence from the Dubai Development Authority is about AED 7,500 a year, covering tech, media, education and design activities. With a residence visa, first-year costs are often about AED 15,000 to 18,000.
Can I get a trade licence for a home business in Dubai?
Yes. Options include the e-Trader licence for online selling, the Intelaq home business licence for UAE and GCC nationals, freelance permits, and free zone flexi-desk packages.
Do I need a trade licence to sell on Instagram in Dubai?
Yes. Regular selling on social media is commercial activity. The e-Trader licence was created for this; expats usually use a free zone licence.
Sources
Henry Club, Dubai business licence types 2026
vOffice, types of trade licences in Dubai and trade licence cost in Dubai, 2026
StashAway, freelance visa Dubai: costs and how to apply (2026)
Virtuzone, e-Trader licence fees and eligibility, April 2026
SPC Free Zone, e-commerce licence costs, updated 1 October 2026
Abdur Rouf Jibon
Founder, Nodi AI
Abdur Rouf Jibon is the founder of Nodi AI, which builds Nodi Commerce: one system for shops that sell through Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, a website and a shop counter.
