Dubai is a hub of opportunities when it comes to startups and entrepreneurship. The Emirates of Dubai’s economic diversification comes from its strategic location in the Middle East region, and so attracts foreign entrepreneurs, international businesses and organizations with ease of access to the local and international market, modern infrastructure and pro-business regulations by the government and Dubai Economic Department (DED).
That being said, no businesses can set up without a trade license in Dubai. Trade licenses are issued by Dubai Economic Department (DED) and UAE Economic Department. Based on the nature of the business, each company will require a specific Dubai trade license. The Dubai trade license fees will depend on the type of business and the Dubai trade license applied for.
The three major trade licenses in Dubai are commercial, industrial and professional. However, there are more Dubai trade licenses issued.
Trade license documents in Dubai
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Commercial licenses
Simply put, a Commercial license is granted to a company involved in any type of commercial trade activity. So, the business thus will need to decide which of the commercials trade related goods or services they want to work on before applying for the commercial trade license.
Some of the activities considered as commercial activity includes
- Logistics
- Car rental
- Real estate brokerage
The business can have added activities along with the main activity, which should be limited to 10 per license. To know more about the Difference between commercial and professional license see this.
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Professional license
The application for a professional trade license is dependent on the applicant’s educational qualification. Professional Dubai trade license in availed for service oriented businesses. Some of the activities that come under this license are
| Professional License Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | Consultancy services | Printing and publishing |
| Medical services | Beauty salons | Graphic design services |
| Repair services | Security services | Document clearing |
With a professional license, foreign investors can attain 100% ownership of their business. See what is the difference between commercial and professional license.
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Industrial License
When a company has to work with assembling and processing goods using raw materials, they need to apply for the industrial Dubai trade license. The raw materials can be local or imported, however 51 per cent of business’ ownership will be by a local partner. With industrial trade license in
Dubai, businesses can do industrial and manufacturing activities for industries like:
Trade License Document
- Food
- Textile
- Metals
- Equipment and engines
- Petroleum products
- Paper
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Tourism License
Tourism Dubai trade license is issued to businesses that provide tourism activities such as
| Tourism License Activities | |
|---|---|
| Hotel renting | Tourist camps |
| Cruise boat rental | Restaurants |
| Guest houses | Travel agencies |
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Agriculture license
Agriculture Dubai trade license is issued to businesses that provide agriculture related goods and services. Agricultural activities include:
- Crop cultivation and harvesting
- Trading pesticides
- Trading crops
- Installation of greenhouses
- Agricultural consultancy
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Craftsmanship license
This license is required for craftsmen. If a company hires a craftsman, they need to avail this craftsmanship Dubai trade license. Craftsmanship activities include:
- Plumbing
- Carpentry
- Electrical work
Conducting a business without trade license in Dubai is illegal and can cause the business to get a hefty fine, or even a ban. That being said, it is crucial to make sure that Dubai trade license renewal is done on time or could result in more penalties. This all may sound confusing or time consuming, but there are many companies in Dubai specialized in handling all processing related to trade licenses. Partnering with expert consultants can save time as well as money as they can keep the processing running smoothly while the company focuses on business growth. And when it comes to finding the right company a business can trust, Company Setup Dubai is a great place to start.
For further information and assistance on how to register your trade license, speak with our experienced consultants. Book your FREE consultation today at +971 558654072, +97143827780 or Drop us an Email on info@test.companysetup.ae
