Most quotes for a Dubai trade license show one headline price. The real cost is a stack of separate charges: government fees, the license itself, premises, visas and any approvals your activity needs. This guide breaks those charges down for mainland (DET) and free zone licenses so you can budget the full first year and compare quotes fairly.
It is written for founders and overseas investors choosing between jurisdictions. Figures are indicative, were last checked on 16 October 2026 and change by activity, so use them for budgeting and confirm them in a written quote. For definitions and application steps, see our trade license guide.
A low license fee does not mean a low total cost. Visas, premises and approvals often decide the final number.
A Dubai trade license has no single price. Published starting prices run from about AED 5,750 in budget free zones to AED 10,000 or more for a mainland commercial license. The first-year total also includes name and approval fees, office space, residence visas, Emirates ID and medical costs, and any external approvals. Ask for an itemised quote that separates government fees from service fees.
What does a trade license cost in Dubai?
The cost depends on four choices: the licensing authority (DET on the mainland or a free zone authority), the business activity, the premises and the number of visas. A license is generally valid for one year, so the amount you pay at setup comes back at renewal.
| Factor | Mainland (DET) | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | The free zone authority, for example RAKEZ, Meydan, IFZA, SHAMS or SPC |
| How the price is built | Separate government fees plus an activity-based license fee | A package price that usually bundles the license, registration and a flexi desk |
| Where you can trade | Across the UAE and with government entities | Inside the zone and internationally. Direct sales to UAE mainland customers usually need a distributor or permit |
| Premises | Generally an Ejari-registered office | Flexi desk often included. Larger units cost extra |
| Visas | Quota linked to office size | Quota set by the package. Each visa is an add-on |
| Typical cost shape | More separate line items and often a higher total | Lower headline price that rises with visas, activities and office |
How much does a Dubai mainland trade license cost?
A DET license follows three steps: initial approval, trade name reservation and license issuance. Each step has its own fee, and the license fee itself depends on your activity.
| Cost component | Indicative figure | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | AED 620 | Government fee as reported by Khaleej Times. Some name types, such as foreign-language or numeric names, carry higher fees |
| Initial approval | AED 120 | Same source. Confirms DET has no objection to your activity and name |
| Trade license issuance | Varies by activity | Third-party guides commonly quote AED 10,000 to 15,000 for a commercial license. Confirm the fee for your own activities |
| Chamber of Commerce and Knowledge and Innovation fees | Charged in addition | Ask for the current amounts in your quote |
| Market fee | Percentage of annual rent | Calculated on the registered Ejari value. Ask for the current rate |
| Office lease and Ejari | Depends on size and location | Usually the largest variable in a mainland budget |
| External approvals | Depends on activity | Food, health, tourism and industrial activities need approval from other authorities, each with separate fees |
| Residence visas | Per visa | Quota is linked to your office size |
Figures checked 16 October 2026. Government fee schedules are amended from time to time.
Dubai also issues an e-trade license for eligible home-based online businesses. It avoids a leased office, but eligibility depends on the activity and the applicant, so check before choosing it. See our e-commerce and retail setup page, and our mainland trade license page for the full process.
How much does a free zone license cost?
Free zones publish package prices that bundle the license, company registration and usually a flexi desk. Starting prices apply to zero-visa packages. Every residence visa, extra activity or larger office increases the total.
| Free zone | Published starting price (zero visa) | What usually adds to the total |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | From about AED 6,000 | Visa quota, facility type and license category. General trading costs more than a specific trading license |
| SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) | From about AED 5,750 to AED 6,875, depending on the package | Visas, extra activities and the trading license tier |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | Package dependent. Ask for current pricing | Visa count and activity choice |
| Meydan Free Zone (Dubai) | From AED 12,500 | Visa allocation, activity groups and license duration |
| IFZA (Dubai) | From about AED 12,900 | Visa quota, office package, establishment card and extra activities |
Starting prices as published by the zones and their authorised partners, checked 16 October 2026. Zones run promotions and multi-year discounts, so your quoted price can differ. See all zones on our free zone locations and pricing page.
What else belongs in your first-year budget?
The license is only one line. Add these before you compare totals:
- Residence visas: a fee per person, plus medical testing and Emirates ID, repeated on each renewal cycle.
- Establishment card: an immigration card fee charged by some authorities.
- Extra business activities: many zones include a set number of activities and charge for more.
- Premises: a flexi desk, shared or private office, or warehouse. Mainland licenses need an Ejari lease.
- External approvals: separate fees from the regulator that covers your activity.
- Bank account support: see our corporate bank account opening service.
- Accounting and tax: VAT and corporate tax registration and filing.
- Provider service fee: check whether the quote includes it or lists it separately.
How does the cost change by license type?
| License type | What it covers | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Buying, selling, importing and exporting physical goods | Activity list, premises and approvals for regulated goods such as food or medical products |
| General trading | Several product categories under one license | Often a higher fee than a single-category trading license |
| Professional and service | Consultancy and service activities | Activity approval and, for some professions, qualifications |
| Industrial | Manufacturing and assembly | Industrial premises, equipment and safety approvals |
| E-commerce | Online sales of goods or services | Free zone package versus DET e-trade license, plus payment and delivery setup |
| Tourism | Travel agencies, tour operators and hospitality | Joint DET and DTCM approval adds a layer and a cost |
How much does trade license renewal cost?
A Dubai trade license is generally valid for one year. Free zone renewals usually track the original package fee. Mainland renewals carry the license fee, Chamber of Commerce and Knowledge and Innovation fees, and the market fee on your lease.
Do not let a license lapse. An expired license can block visa renewals and complicate your corporate bank account, and penalties build up the longer it stays expired. Put the renewal in your budget from day one, and see our trade license renewal service.
How do you compare trade license quotes?
- Ask whether the price is government fees only or includes the provider service fee.
- Check how many visas and business activities are included.
- Confirm the premises type and whether it suits your activity and your bank.
- Ask which external approvals your activity needs and what they cost.
- Get the renewal price in writing.
- List what is excluded: medical tests, Emirates ID, establishment card, bank account support and accounting.
- Compare the total for year one and year two, not the first invoice.
Which is cheaper: mainland or free zone?
Free zones usually cost less to start, but cheaper at setup is not always cheaper overall. Match the license to how you will earn revenue:
- Customers mostly abroad, or remote consulting: a free zone is usually the lower-cost start.
- Selling directly to UAE customers or working with government: a mainland license avoids the distributor or permit costs a free zone company can face.
- Small online seller: compare a free zone e-commerce license with the DET e-trade license.
- Several visas: compare each zone’s visa quota rules with the mainland office-size rules before deciding.
For the full comparison, read Free Zone vs Mainland: Which UAE Licence Is Right for You? or open our free zone vs mainland guide.
Get an itemised license quote from Maven&
Tell us your activity, where your customers are and how many visas you need. We compare mainland and free zone options and give you a quote that separates government fees, license fees and service fees.
Frequently asked questions about Dubai trade license costs
How much does a trade license cost in Dubai?
It depends on whether you choose a mainland or a free zone license. Published free zone starting prices for zero-visa packages run from about AED 5,750 to AED 12,900, while mainland license fees depend on the activity and are commonly quoted from about AED 10,000, before name and approval fees, the office lease and visas. Request an itemised quote for your activity.
What is the cheapest trade license in Dubai?
Among Dubai free zones, Meydan and IFZA publish lower entry prices than premium zones such as DMCC, and the e-trade license is the lower-cost mainland route for eligible home-based online businesses. Zones in other emirates, such as RAKEZ and SHAMS, start lower but do not give you a Dubai license. The cheapest option is only the right one if it permits your activity, your customers and the number of visas you need.
Is the Dubai trade license fee a one-time payment?
No. A trade license is generally valid for one year and must be renewed before it expires. Free zone renewals usually track the original package fee, so budget for a similar outlay every year. Some zones offer discounted multi-year packages.
Does the trade license price include visas?
Usually not. Starting prices normally apply to zero-visa packages. Each residence visa adds its own fee, plus medical testing and Emirates ID costs, and some authorities charge an establishment card fee. Compare packages by visa quota, not by license price alone.
Can I get a trade license in Dubai without an office?
Some free zones include a flexi desk in the package, so you do not need a separate lease. Mainland licenses generally need an Ejari-registered office. The DET e-trade license for eligible home-based online businesses is the main exception. Check that your bank accepts your premises type before you commit.
What happens if I do not renew my trade license on time?
An expired license can block visa renewals and complicate your corporate bank account, and penalties build up the longer it stays expired. Renew before the expiry date. See our trade license renewal service.
Why do quotes for the same license differ so much?
Quotes differ in what they include: the number of visas and activities, the premises, the provider service fee, promotions and multi-year discounts. Ask each provider to list government fees and service fees separately, then compare the total for the first and second year.
Do I need a trade license to open a corporate bank account in Dubai?
Banks generally ask for a valid trade license during company onboarding, together with ownership and source-of-funds documents. A license does not guarantee account approval, because each bank runs its own checks. See our corporate bank account support.
