Trade licence renewal in Dubai is due on or before the expiry date printed on the licence, which usually runs for one year. Mainland licences are renewed with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) through Invest in Dubai; free zone licences are renewed with the zone authority, such as IFZA, Meydan or DMCC. You usually need the current licence, a valid tenancy (Ejari for mainland, the zone lease or flexi desk for free zones) and passport and Emirates ID copies of the partners and manager. No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply. Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
By First Idea Consultant. Reviewed by Amir Aslam, Founder. Updated September 2026.
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Trade licence renewal in Dubai at a glance
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Licence validity | Usually one year; the expiry date is printed on the licence |
| Mainland | Renewed with DET on the Invest in Dubai portal, at a service centre or by SMS to 6969 |
| Free zones | Renewed with the zone authority under its own rules |
| Offshore (RAK ICC) | Renewed with RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) under its own rules |
| Tenancy | Ejari-registered tenancy contract for mainland; the zone lease or flexi desk for free zones |
| Establishment card | Renewed separately with GDRFA in Dubai or ICP in the other emirates (see establishment card renewal) |
| Residence visas | Not renewed with the licence; each visa is renewed on its own expiry date |
| Late renewal | DET and each zone apply their own rules (see late renewal and fines) |
| First Idea Consultant LLC | No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply. |
What you pay at renewal, and who charges it
Trade licence renewal in Dubai is a set of separate charges from different bodies. Only figures a body publishes are printed, with the date we checked.
| Item | Charged by | When | What this page shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal fee (mainland) | DET | Every year | Invest in Dubai: the fee depends on the business activity (checked 15 September 2026). No figure. |
| Knowledge Dirham and Innovation Dirham | Added by the authority on many government transactions | With each transaction | GDRFA Dubai: AED 10 each on establishment card renewal; DMCC: AED 20 on all its charges (both checked 15 September 2026). |
| Tenancy contract and Ejari registration (mainland) | The landlord; Ejari registration | When the tenancy ends | No figure |
| Free zone licence renewal | The zone authority | Every year | The zone’s own published fee only; see the DMCC row in the free zone table |
| Free zone workspace (flexi desk or office) | The zone or the landlord | With the lease | No figure |
| External approvals for regulated activities | The regulator named on the licence | As the regulator sets | No figure |
| Establishment card renewal | GDRFA in Dubai; ICP in the other emirates | When the card expires | GDRFA Dubai published, checked 15 September 2026: AED 200 plus 5% VAT, Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10, service fee AED 50. ICP figures are below. |
| Residence visas due that year | GDRFA or ICP | On each visa’s expiry date | No figure |
| Late fines, if any | DET or the zone; ICP for a late establishment card | Only if late | See the late renewal section |
| Professional service fee | First Idea Consultant LLC | At renewal | No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply. |
Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
WhatsApp Amir for an itemised renewal quote
How to renew a Dubai mainland trade licence with DET
DET (the Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly the Department of Economic Development or DED) renews every Dubai mainland licence. The steps follow Invest in Dubai, which lists the service as “Request to renew trade licence” (checked 15 September 2026).
- Check the expiry date printed on your licence.
- Renew the tenancy first if the contract ends before or with the licence, and register the renewal with Ejari.
- Renew any external approval your activity needs, for example KHDA for education or Dubai Municipality for food, and settle any fines recorded against the licence.
- Open Renew License on the Invest in Dubai portal and enter the licence number or business name, an email address and a mobile number.
- Pay the renewal fee, which Invest in Dubai says depends on the business activity.
- Keep the renewed licence; your bank and immigration file rely on it.
Renewing by SMS or at a service centre
Invest in Dubai lists two alternatives to the portal: send an SMS to 6969 and follow the instructions, or visit one of its service centres (checked 15 September 2026).
Paying the renewal fee
Invest in Dubai lists payment by direct debit at Dubai Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai or Emirates Islamic, and by cash or cheque at Aafaq Islamic Finance, Commercial Bank of Dubai or Emirates Islamic (checked 15 September 2026).
Documents for trade licence renewal
| Document | Mainland (DET) | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Current trade licence | Yes | Yes |
| Tenancy | Ejari-registered tenancy contract | Zone lease or flexi desk agreement |
| Passport and Emirates ID copies of partners, shareholders and manager | Yes | As the zone asks |
| Memorandum of Association | Only if ownership or structure changed | As the zone asks |
| External approvals | Where the activity needs one | Where the activity needs one |
| Valid establishment card | Check its expiry before renewal | Check its expiry before renewal |
| Other | Anything DET lists on your application | Financial statements, UBO or compliance documents the zone requests |
DET and each free zone publish their own list; the list on your renewal application is the one that counts.
Renewing a free zone or offshore licence
Free zone companies renew with their zone authority, not DET, and hold a zone lease or flexi desk rather than a mainland Ejari contract. The licence, workspace and establishment card often fall due together, so check all three dates.
| Zone | Renewed with | Published renewal fee | Page on this site |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) | Quoted in writing | IFZA free zone |
| Meydan Free Zone | Meydan Free Zone | Quoted in writing | Meydan free zone |
| DMCC | DMCC Authority | DMCC schedule of charges, checked 15 September 2026: 1-year licence renewal AED 20,265 (trading and service licences; not Business Centre, General Trading, Industrial or Refineries), plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fees | DMCC business setup |
| DWTC | Dubai World Trade Centre Authority | Quoted in writing | DWTC free zone |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) | Quoted in writing | Business setup in Ras Al Khaimah |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | Quoted in writing | SPC free zone |
| RAK ICC (offshore) | RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) | Quoted in writing | RAK offshore company |
| Sharjah mainland | Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) | No figure | Sharjah mainland licence |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) | No figure | Abu Dhabi trade licence |
“Quoted in writing” means the zone’s website showed no renewal fee on 15 September 2026. Other Dubai zones, such as DDA, JAFZA and Dubai South, renew with their own authority.
Late renewal, grace period and fines
Mainland (DET). Invest in Dubai’s renewal page does not mention a grace period (checked 15 September 2026), so renew on or before the expiry date. DET treats failure to renew within the time limit as a commercial violation with an administrative fine, set out in its Commercial Compliance Manual.
Free zones. Each zone sets its own late fees. DMCC schedule of charges, checked 15 September 2026: no late fee listed for 0 to 30 days, AED 2,500 for 31 to 60 days and AED 5,000 for 61 to 90 days.
Establishment card. ICP published, checked 15 September 2026: AED 100 for each month of delay beyond 30 days after expiry, up to AED 1,000. GDRFA Dubai’s renewal page lists no delay fee.
Knock-on effects. ICP renews an establishment card only with a valid trade licence, so an expired licence can stall visa work, and a bank reviewing the account may ask for the current licence.
What you can change at renewal
Common changes alongside a renewal are adding or removing activities, moving office with a new Ejari contract and, in a free zone, changing the visa quota under the zone’s rules. DET lists “Amend a trade licence” as a separate service for changing licence details, including the name or activities (checked 15 September 2026). DET and each zone charge their own amendment fees, shown as separate lines on your quote. To look up a licence or close a company instead, see how to check or cancel a Dubai trade licence.
Establishment card renewal
The establishment card registers a company with immigration so it can sponsor residence visas. GDRFA Dubai renews cards for government, private sector and free zone establishments in Dubai, ICP handles the other emirates, and some zones set their own fee (DMCC schedule of charges: AED 1,825 a year, checked 15 September 2026). Renew the licence first, since ICP requires a valid trade licence.
GDRFA Dubai published fees, Renewal of Establishment Card (all categories), checked 15 September 2026
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Establishment card renewal fee | AED 200, plus 5% VAT |
| Knowledge Dirham | AED 10 |
| Innovation Dirham | AED 10 |
| Service fee | AED 50 |
| Urgent fee | AED 100 |
Source: GDRFA Dubai, Renewal of Establishment Card. For the private sector or a free zone, GDRFA lists:
- a copy of the partners’ names appendix
- copies of the authorised signatories’ passports
- a notarised copy of the authorisation for the authorised individuals, in the case of a manager
Apply through GDRFA’s website or smart application, logging in with UAE Pass or a username, or at an Amer service centre.
ICP published fees, Renewal of Establishment Card (private sector and free zone companies), checked 15 September 2026
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AED 100 |
| Renewal fee, for each year | AED 100 |
| Renewal of establishment subscription in ICP’s electronic system | AED 1,000 |
| Smart service fee | AED 100 |
| Delay of more than 30 days after expiry | AED 100 a month, up to AED 1,000 |
Source: ICP, Renewal of Establishment Card. ICP also requires any fines due on the establishment to be paid first.
Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
Handing your renewal to First Idea
For a company trade licence renewal in Dubai, send these on WhatsApp:
- a copy of the licence, showing the issuer and the expiry date
- the tenancy contract or zone lease
- the establishment card
- a list of residence visas with their expiry dates
- any activity or office change you want
We check what falls due (licence, tenancy, establishment card and visas), then send an itemised written quote with each government and authority fee under the name of the body that charges it. Nothing is filed until you approve the quote.
No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply.
Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
- Renewal files are reviewed by Amir Aslam, Founder.
- First Idea Consultant LLC, Office 812, ParkLane Tower, Park Regis, Business Bay, Dubai, since 2015.
- WhatsApp and phone: +971 56 500 6694.
Weighing a renewal against starting a new company? See the cost of setting up a business in Dubai.
WhatsApp Amir with your licence details
Trade licence renewal FAQ
How do I renew my trade licence in Dubai?
For a mainland licence, renew the tenancy and any external approval, then open Renew License on the Invest in Dubai portal, enter the licence number or business name and pay the fee, which depends on the business activity. A free zone licence is renewed with the zone authority. The mainland renewal steps are set out above.
Can I renew my Dubai trade licence online, and how do I pay?
Yes. Invest in Dubai lists its online portal, SMS to 6969 and its service centres for mainland renewal (checked 15 September 2026). Its payment options, direct debit or cash or cheque at named banks, are set out under paying the renewal fee above. Free zone licences are renewed with each zone authority.
How much are the trade licence renewal fees in Dubai?
The mainland licence fee depends on the business activity, according to Invest in Dubai; the full bill adds the tenancy, establishment card and any visas due. As a zone example, the DMCC schedule of charges lists a 1-year trading and service licence renewal at AED 20,265, plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fees (checked 15 September 2026). No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply. Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
Is there a grace period for trade licence renewal in Dubai?
Invest in Dubai’s renewal page does not mention a grace period (checked 15 September 2026), so renew on or before the expiry date. Zones set their own late fees: the DMCC schedule of charges, checked 15 September 2026, lists none for 0 to 30 days, AED 2,500 for 31 to 60 days and AED 5,000 for 61 to 90 days. ICP published, checked 15 September 2026: a late establishment card costs AED 100 a month beyond 30 days after expiry, up to AED 1,000.
Can a Dubai company keep operating without renewing its trade licence?
No. DET treats failure to renew within the time limit as a commercial violation with an administrative fine. ICP also renews an establishment card only if a valid trade licence is available, so an expired licence stalls visa work, and a bank reviewing the account may ask for the current licence.
Can I renew my trade licence with a virtual office or flexi desk?
A mainland licence needs a tenancy that DET accepts, registered with Ejari, so confirm your office arrangement qualifies before the renewal date. Free zone licences commonly renew on a flexi desk under the zone’s own rules.
How do I renew an establishment card in Dubai?
Renew the licence first, then apply on GDRFA Dubai’s website or smart application with UAE Pass or a username, or at an Amer service centre. GDRFA Dubai published, checked 15 September 2026: AED 200 plus 5% VAT, Knowledge Dirham AED 10, Innovation Dirham AED 10 and service fee AED 50. GDRFA’s document list is in the establishment card section above.
Do you charge a professional service fee to renew a trade licence?
No professional service fee on licence renewals; government and authority fees still apply. Send your business activity and visa count on WhatsApp and you get an itemised written quote.
