
Overview
Are you planning to start a business in Dubai? Then you need to have a trade license in Dubai to comply with the legal requirements, build trust and credibility for your business, proper taxation, and access various business opportunities for growth.
Getting your business license in Dubai requires you to keep updated with the business setup laws and regulations of the UAE. Approaching the right business setup consultancy like VIP PRO Services is the best way to get your license easily at affordable prices.
This blog will cover everything about a trade license in Dubai including its types, business activities, and process to get your business license.
Why You Need a Trade License in Dubai?
Investors who want to start a Mainland, Freezone, or offshore business in Dubai are required to have a business license to start their business journey.
A trade license in Dubai is a legal document that allows you to run desired activities in your business. This permit provides you with several compelling benefits, some of which are detailed here:
Legal Requirement: A trade license is mandatory for a successful business setup in Dubai, UAE. This permit ensures that your business is recognized by the Dubai government authorities.
Regulation and Compliance: A trade license ensures that the business complies with local laws and regulations, including zoning laws, health and safety standards, and other relevant regulations.
Credibility and Trust: Holding a trade license enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of a business in the eyes of customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Taxation and Auditing: It facilitates the proper taxation and auditing of the business. The license helps the government monitor business activities and collect taxes accordingly.
Expansion and Growth: It enables businesses to expand and grow by accessing new markets, entering into partnerships, and exploring investment opportunities.
Types of Trade License in Dubai
Dubai offers you various types of trade licenses that are: a commercial license, professional license, general trading license, and industrial license.
Contact VIP PRO Services to get your trade easily at affordable prices.
Let’s have a detailed overview of all these kinds of trade licenses in Dubai:
Commercial License in Dubai
A commercial license in Dubai is important for businesses that want to engage in commercial activities. This license is issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and permits foreign investors to conduct a wide range of trading activities within Dubai.
Explore the various business activities allowed under a commercial license in Dubai:
- General Trading
- Retail and Wholesale
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Real Estate
- Automobiles
- Construction Materials
- Gold and Precious Metals
- Health and Beauty Products
- Consumer Goods
- Food and Beverages
- Textiles and Garments
Professional License in Dubai
A professional license in Dubai is important for businesses providing specialized services based on their skills and expertise. This permit is more focused on providing various services in professional fields.
Contact VIP PRO Services to get your professional license at affordable prices. Here are some profitable business activities you can run with a professional license in Dubai, UAE.
- Consulting Services
- Educational Services
- Legal Services
- Healthcare Services
- Technical Services
- Creative Services
- Accountancy and Auditing
- IT Services
- Event Management
- Human Resources
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Translation Services
- Freelancing
General Trading License in Dubai
A general trading license in Dubai that allows businesses to trade in a wide variety of goods and products. This permit is issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai which is suitable for investors who want to engage in multiple trading activities under one license.
Business activities that you can run with a general trading license in Dubai are listed here:
Import and Export: Trading goods and products between Dubai and other countries.
Wholesale and Retail: Selling goods in bulk (wholesale) or directly to consumers (retail).
Distribution: Distributing products to various retailers, wholesalers, and other businesses.
Storage and Warehousing: Storing goods in warehouses for future distribution and sale.
Re-exporting: Exporting goods that have been imported into Dubai to other countries.
Industrial license in Dubai
An industrial license in Dubai is important for entrepreneurs who want to produce manufactured or semi-manufactured products. This license allows a business to make a product from raw materials along with its processing, assembling, and packaging.
Here are the major business activities you can run in Dubai with an industrial license.
- Adhesive & paper slitting
- Books binding
- Casting of metals
- Cards & envelops printing
- Food & beverage manufacturing
- Helicopter repair & maintenance
- Lathe workshop
- Magnetic technology equipment trading
- Metal products coating
- Multi-dimensional image production (hologram)
- Pharmaceuticals packaging
- Saddle & animal, bird training requisites making
- Safety harness fabrication
- Sculptors
- Textile manufacturing
How to get a Trade License in Dubai, UAE
Whether you want to get a Dubai mainland license or a Dubai freezone license, you need to complete some key steps that involve approvals from several government departments and agencies.
VIP PRO Services will provide you with the best business licensing services in Dubai to start your business journey.
Let’s explore the process of getting a trade license in Dubai, where you are going to get expert guidance from us.
Choose a Business Activity
Decide the list of activities you want to involve in your business. The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai will provide you with a comprehensive list of business activities.
Determine the Legal Structure
Identify the right type of legal structure from several options such as:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited liability company (LLC)
- Branch office
Register Your Trade Name
Select and register your business name with the DED. We will help you to ensure that your business name complies with the naming guidelines of the UAE. For a freezone business setup in Dubai, the process is similar but involves the specific free zone authority instead of the DED.
Complete the Application Form
Contact us now and get expert guidance in completing your trade license application form. We will help you to submit all essential documents to the DED avoiding any mistakes and delays.
Generally, you need to have these documents to obtain a trade license in Dubai.
- Original passport copies for all license partners and managers
- A copy of the residence visa
- A NOC (No Objection Certificate )
- A copy of a valid visa
Obtain All Initial and Additional Approvals
After approving your business activities, and trade name and submitting the essential documents to the DED, you will get all the necessary initial approvals. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need additional approvals from specific government departments or regulatory bodies (e.g., Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority).
Draft a Memorandum of Association (MOA)
For certain types of business structures, you need to draft an MOA and have it notarized. This document outlines the shareholding structure and the responsibilities of the shareholders.
Pay the License Fees
Pay the trade license in Dubai costs that vary based on the business activity and legal structure.
General factors that determine the cost of your Trading license in Dubai are listed here:
- Number of Business Partners
- Region of Establishment
- Business Structures
- Partnerships with Local Sponsors
- Type of Business Activity
Receive Your Trade License
Once all documents are verified and the fees are paid, you will receive your trade license in Dubai. This license allows you to legally conduct a successful business in Dubai.
Conclusion
We have covered the types and processes to get your trade license in Dubai, UAE. Contact VIP PRO Services to obtain your license and make your business setup easy in UAE.