Commercial License in UAE
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Commercial license in UAE covers the whole route to a UAE trade licence — mainland (DET) or a free zone, trade-name and activity approval, incorporation, visas and a corporate bank account. We match your trading activity to the right licence — commercial or general trading — clear any external approvals and set you up with 100% foreign ownership and no local sponsor for most activities. It's one type of UAE business license, issued as a trade license on the mainland or in a free zone, and it slots straight into wider company formation and our corporate services. Whether you sell across the UAE market, import and export, or run e-commerce, we get you licensed and trading fast.
Why Legarithm for a UAE commercial license
Pick the wrong activities and you can’t legally invoice what you sell; choose mainland when a free zone fits and you overpay on office and fees; miss an external approval and the licence stalls. Legarithm maps your real trading activities to the correct commercial or general-trading licence, places you on the mainland or in a free zone to match your market, and clears every approval. It’s the same team that then runs your corporate tax and accounting, so the company is compliant from day one.
Key benefits of a commercial license in UAE
What a UAE commercial licence actually gives you.
Who a commercial license in UAE is for
Commercial license in UAE suits any business that buys and sells goods — locally, cross-border or online.
Trading & retail companies
Businesses buying and selling goods across one or many product lines.
General trading businesses
Traders wanting the broadest activity scope under one licence.
Importers & exporters
Companies moving goods in and out of the UAE with a customs code.
E-commerce sellers
Online stores that need a licensed UAE trading entity.
Distributors & wholesalers
Businesses supplying retailers and B2B buyers across the UAE.
Founders who want residence
Owners who need visas with the licence — often paired with a UAE Golden Visa later.
What a commercial license in UAE includes
Commercial license in UAE runs from activity and jurisdiction choice through the licence, visas and banking as one managed engagement.
Activity & jurisdiction
Mainland (DET) or free zone matched to your trade.
Trade name & initial approval
Name reserved and activity approved.
Licence type
Commercial or general-trading licence secured.
MOA & incorporation
Constitutional documents drafted and filed.
External approvals
Extra sign-offs for regulated goods handled.
Residence visas
Investor and staff visas up to the quota.
Corporate bank account
Introductions and a full KYC pack for UAE banks.
Renewals & amendments
Annual renewal, activity and shareholder changes.
Not sure mainland or free zone?
Tell us what you trade and where you sell — we’ll match the right licence, activities and jurisdiction.
Mainland vs free zone for your licence
Commercial license in UAE can be issued two ways — on the mainland (DET) or in a free zone. The mainland column is highlighted; the right one depends on your market.
| Factor | Free-zone license | Mainland license (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| UAE local market | Via distributor / e-commerce | Full, direct access |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% (most activities) |
| Office | Flexi-desk possible | Physical office (Ejari) |
| Activities | Zone list | DET 2,100+ activities |
| Residence visas | Package quota | Scales with office size |
| Setup speed | 3 to 7 days | 7 to 15 days |
| Best for | Export & e-commerce | UAE-wide trading |
Get your commercial license in UAE sorted — start this week
Tell us your trading activity and where you sell; we’ll confirm the right licence, jurisdiction and visas. The initial consultation is free and confidential.
What we need from you
Four tabs, each listing the inputs we collect to licence, visa and bank your trading company.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- A recent passport-size photo
- Proposed trade name and a shortlist of activities
- Proof of address, under 3 months
- An NOC from a current UAE sponsor, if applicable
How a commercial license in UAE works
Commercial license in UAE runs as a clear five-step path from activity to a licensed, banked company.
The cost of a commercial license in UAE
Beyond the licence fee, commercial license in UAE is priced on scope — jurisdiction, activities, office and visas.
What drives your cost:
| Cost driver | What it depends on | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Free zone vs mainland (DET) | Free zone from ~ AED 15,000; mainland higher |
| Activities & general trading | Number and type of activities | General trading costs more than one activity |
| Office / flexi-desk | Flexi-desk or physical office (Ejari) | Mainland needs a tenancy |
| Residence visas | Number of visas | Each visa adds cost |
| External approvals | Regulated goods | Some activities need extra sign-off |
Priced on scope — licence, visas or full setup. A Dubai commercial licence typically runs AED 15,000–65,000; real first-year cost is usually 1.5×–2× the base. General info, not tax advice — request a quote.
FAQ about a commercial license in UAE
Still have questions?
What is a commercial license in the UAE?
It’s a trade licence for buying and selling goods — retail, wholesale, import/export and general trading — issued by the DET on the mainland or by a free-zone authority.
Do I need a local sponsor?
No — most commercial activities allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland since the 2020 Commercial Companies Law amendment, so no local partner is required.
Mainland or free zone — which is cheaper?
Free-zone licences start lower (from around AED 15,000) and suit export and e-commerce; a mainland (DET) licence costs more but gives full access to the UAE local market.
What is a general trading license?
It’s a broad commercial licence that lets you trade many unrelated product lines under one licence, instead of listing each activity separately.
Commercial license vs professional license — what's the difference?
A commercial licence is for trading goods; a professional licence is for services and expertise, such as consulting, IT or design. If you both sell goods and provide services, we advise on the right licence or a dual setup.
Commercial license or general trading — which do I need?
A standard commercial licence lists your specific trading activities; a general trading licence is a broader type that covers most goods under one licence. We recommend the cheaper fit for your product range.
How many activities can one licence have?
The mainland DET list has 2,100+ activities; you can group related ones on a single licence, and general trading covers most goods at once.
How long does it take?
A free-zone licence is typically issued in 3 to 7 working days and a mainland licence in 7 to 15, subject to approvals.
How many visas can I get?
Up to around 20 residence visas under one trade licence, depending on office size and package.
Do corporate tax and VAT apply?
Yes — 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 and 5% VAT once registered; we handle both through our UAE tax and accounting.
Can I add activities later?
Yes — you can add activities, visas or shareholders, or add a free-zone or mainland company as you grow.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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