How to Get a Trade License in Dubai as an Expat
5 min read
You're in Dubai. You want to build something. First thing you need: a trade license. No license, no business. No invoicing, no bank account, no visa. It's your legal foundation.
The big news first
The old rule that forced expats to hand 51% of their mainland business to a local partner? Gone since 2021. You can now own 100% of your mainland business in most sectors. Full stop.
Types of licenses
Mainland vs Free Zone
Mainland is better if you're targeting UAE clients directly or working with government entities. Free zone is better if you're running a service business or focused on international trade — lower setup costs, faster process.
The process
What it costs
Professional: AED 8,000 – 15,000. Commercial: AED 14,000 – 24,500. General trading: from AED 20,000. Add office rental and visa fees on top. Renewal is annual, roughly AED 8,000 – 15,000 depending on type.
Don't overlook the visa
Your trade license is also your path to UAE residency. Investor visa, family sponsorship, employee hiring — it all unlocks from here.
Get your jurisdiction, activity codes, and legal structure right upfront. Everything else follows. Dubai is genuinely one of the fastest places in the world to get this done. Now go build.