UAE Trade Licenses — commercial, professional & more
A trade licence is the legal permit that lets your company operate in the UAE — and its activities decide exactly what you can do. Here is how the commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licences differ, how to choose your activities, what it costs in 2026, and how we issue yours.
What this guide covers
Quick summary
- What it is: the legal permit to operate, listing your approved business activities.
- Main types: commercial (goods), professional (services), industrial and tourism.
- Commercial vs professional: trading in goods vs selling skills and services.
- Cost: from around AED 4,888 (zero-visa free zone) or AED 18,500+ mainland.
- Activities: combine several related activities under one licence where allowed.
What a UAE trade licence is
A trade licence is the legal permit that lets your company operate in the UAE. It names your business, its owners and — crucially — the exact activities you are allowed to carry out. You cannot open a bank account, sign contracts, hire staff or invoice clients without one. Getting the right licence, with the right activities, is the foundation everything else is built on.
The licence you need depends on what your business actually does. Pick the wrong type or miss an activity code, and you face rejected bank applications, fines or a costly amendment later. That is the part we get right for you from the start.
The main types of trade licence
The UAE issues a handful of licence types, each tied to a category of activity:
| Licence type | For businesses that… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Buy and sell physical goods | Trading, retail, general trading, e-commerce |
| Professional | Provide services or expertise | Consultancy, marketing, IT, legal, design |
| Industrial | Manufacture or process goods | Factories, production, assembly |
| Tourism | Operate in travel & hospitality | Travel agencies, tour operators, hotels |
Most founders need either a commercial or a professional licence — so that is the choice worth understanding properly.
Commercial vs professional licence
The simplest way to tell them apart: a commercial licence is for trading in goods, while a professional licence is for selling your skills or services.
| Commercial licence | Professional licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Core activity | Buying and selling goods | Providing services or expertise |
| Typical owners | Traders, retailers, e-commerce | Consultants, agencies, freelancers, specialists |
| Ownership (mainland) | 100% foreign ownership on most activities | 100% foreign ownership; may use a Local Service Agent |
| Best structure | Free zone or mainland | Free zone or mainland |
Choosing your activities
Every licence lists specific business activities from the UAE's official schedule — there are thousands. You can often combine several related activities under one licence, which saves you opening multiple companies. The trick is choosing activities that are broad enough to cover your plans but still approved together. Use our business activity search to explore the options, and we will confirm the right mix.
Trade licence cost in 2026
A trade licence cost depends on the licence type, your activities, the jurisdiction and how many visas you need. A zero-visa free zone licence can start from around AED 4,888, while mainland commercial licences typically begin near AED 18,500 once government fees are included. Premium activities and extra visas push the figure up. We give you an itemised quote before you commit — or model it yourself with our cost calculator.
How to get a trade licence
Choose activity & licence type
We match what your business does to the correct licence type and the exact activity codes.
Reserve your trade name
We check and reserve your company name against UAE naming rules.
Initial approval
We secure initial approval from the relevant authority — a free zone or the Department of Economic Development.
Documents & MOA
We prepare and file your incorporation documents and memorandum of association.
Licence issued
Your trade licence is issued — you can now open a bank account, sign contracts and hire.
Mainland or free zone licence?
A free zone licence gives you 100% ownership, low cost and a fast, largely remote setup, but you mainly trade within the zone and internationally. A mainland licence lets you trade directly across the UAE market and take government work. Which fits you depends on your customers — our mainland vs free zone guide breaks it down, and if you plan to trade a wide range of goods, look at our general trading licence guide.
Official sources
- UAE Ministry of Economy
- Department of Economic Development (DED) — each emirate
- Individual free zone authorities
Trade licence FAQs
What is the difference between a commercial and professional licence?
A commercial licence is for buying and selling physical goods — trading, retail and e-commerce. A professional licence is for providing services or expertise, such as consultancy, marketing, IT or design. Which you need depends on what your business actually does.
How much does a trade licence cost in the UAE?
It depends on the licence type, activities, jurisdiction and visas. A zero-visa free zone licence can start from around AED 4,888, while a mainland commercial licence typically begins near AED 18,500 including government fees.
How many activities can one licence have?
You can often combine several related activities under a single licence, which avoids setting up multiple companies. The activities must be compatible and approved together — we confirm the right combination for you.
Do I need a commercial or professional licence for e-commerce?
E-commerce that sells physical goods usually needs a commercial (or e-commerce) licence. If you provide a digital service rather than selling products, a professional licence may fit. We match the licence to your model.
How long does it take to get a trade licence?
A free zone trade licence is often issued in 3–5 working days once documents are ready. Mainland licences usually take one to two weeks depending on approvals.
Can I change my activities after the licence is issued?
Yes, activities can be added or amended later, but it carries government fees and paperwork. Choosing the right activities up front is cheaper and avoids delays with banks and clients.
Ready to take action?
Whether you're ready to start or still comparing options, we'll give you a straight answer.
