Whether you’re a startup aiming or an established business, GoBusiness is here to support your journey. Diversify your offerings and operate freely under a single legal entity, there are business licence options that allow you to combine both commercial and professional activities within a unified structure. This enables you to run your business seamlessly across the UAE, including on the mainland and within free zones.
At GoBusiness, our expert team is dedicated to guiding you through every step — from selecting the right business licence in UAE to preparing and submitting all required documentation and facilitating secure payments. Our goal is to make your business licence in Dubai process smooth, transparent, and fully compliant.
GoBusiness offers a wide range of trade licences tailored to your business needs, including commercial, educational, e-commerce, general trading, industrial, media, professional, service, and freelancer permits.
Collaborate with a team of experts committed to your business needs.
Build your business with us and secure a workspace that enhances productivity and growth. Once you’ve obtained your trade licence in UAE, enjoy the added benefit of a premium coworking space designed for entrepreneurs and businesses. Our flexible membership options—available daily, weekly, or monthly—provide access to private offices, open workspaces, meeting rooms, lounges, and event areas. With a vibrant environment that fosters collaboration, exclusive networking opportunities, and a professional setting, you’ll have everything in place to establish and build a successful venture in the world’s leading business hub.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
The conditions vary based on legal and visa requirements in the region.
Dubai offers six types of business licences, depending on the nature of the business activity:
1. Industrial Licence – For businesses involved in manufacturing and industrial activities.
2. Commercial Licence – For trading businesses, including general trading, retail and import/export.
3. Tourism Licence – For businesses in the travel, hospitality and tourism sector.
4. Professional Licence – For service-oriented businesses such as consultancy, legal firms and healthcare providers.
5. Agricultural Licence – Issued to businesses involved in farming, cultivation and other agricultural activities.
6. Crafts Licence – Granted to individuals or businesses offering manual or artisan services, including carpentry, blacksmithing and similar trades.
A single trade licence in UAE may include multiple business activities. Entrepreneurs can choose from over 2,000 economic activities listed in the UAE’s official business registry. Every business licence in Dubai is issued based on the nature of activities and the legal structure.
To set-up an online business in Dubai’s mainland, you must apply for an e-trade licence, also called as an online trade licence in Dubai through the Department of Economic Development. This business licence in Dubai allows individuals and businesses to operate digitally within the emirate.
While the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) regulates e-commerce frameworks and digital transactions across the UAE, not all online trade licences in Dubai require direct approval from the TDRA. Most applications are processed through the DED, although certain regulated digital activities may still require additional clearances..
The steps to obtain an online trade licence in Dubai include:
Selecting a business activity
Reserving a trade name
Uploading documents via the e-platform
Paying the prescribed fees
An online trade licence in Dubai provides legal recognition for virtual business operations and is essential for digital ventures aiming to serve customers across the UAE.
GoBusiness provides clear end-to-end support to help you obtain a business licence in Dubai. From selecting the right economic activity to handling government documentation, we streamline each step.
Our end-to-end services ensure you get the right business licence in Dubai with full compliance.
– We also help with:
Choosing the appropriate legal structure
Securing initial approvals
Completing immigration formalities
We work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the set-up process is handled efficiently and in line with your requirements. As part of the set-up, we also support you in securing your UAE residence visa, making it easier to live and manage your business in the country.
To simplify the process further, GoBusiness offers business set-up packages that cover all essential requirements under one service.
Benefits of availing a package
Get your new venture off the ground with ease. Our packages include a range of essential benefits to support your business set-up:
• UAE residence visa
• Third-party visa processing
• Immigration file / E-channel registration
• Emirates ID and medical services
• Pre-approval support
• Business licence in Dubai
• Access to a shared workstation
Each benefit is designed to ensure your set-up journey is smooth, compliant and efficient. With GoBusiness you can expect a streamlined set-up experience that’s tailored to your business goals.
Company formation refers to the legal establishment of a business entity. It involves choosing the company structure, finalising documents and registering with the prescribed authorities. This process gives the business its official identity.
A business licence in Dubai or a trade licence in Dubai, on the other hand, permits the company to carry out specific commercial, professional or industrial activities. It is issued after the company has been formed and is mandatory for operations within the UAE.
In simple terms, company formation is the entire business set-up, while the licence allows it to function legally.
The distinction between an FZCO (Free Zone Company) and an FZE (Free Zone Establishment) lies primarily in the number of shareholders permitted.
An FZE is a company set-up with a single shareholder, who may be either an individual or a corporate entity. It is often chosen by solo entrepreneurs or firms looking to establish a wholly owned presence within a UAE free zone.
An FZCO, in contrast, requires a minimum of two and a maximum of fifty shareholders. These may include individuals, companies, or a combination of both. It is suitable for businesses with multiple owners or joint ventures seeking to operate under a shared legal entity.
From a functional standpoint, both structures offer largely similar advantages, including:
100% foreign ownership
Full repatriation of capital and profits
Tax benefits from import and export
Limited liability protection
Access to world-class infrastructure and simplified business set-up processes
The decision between an FZE and an FZCO is therefore determined by the intended ownership structure rather than the benefits, which remain largely consistent across both formats.
Yes, individuals may own and manage multiple businesses in Dubai, provided each entity is registered along with a valid trade licence in Dubai. Many business owners choose to establish more than one company to operate across different sectors or diversify their commercial interests through separate ventures.
There are two common approaches. One involves creating distinct legal entities, each with its own trade licence in UAE and permitted activity. This structure is suitable when the businesses operate independently and require separate branding, ownership or financial reporting.
The other approach allows for multiple approved activities to be included under a single trade licence in UAE, depending on the nature of the activities and the rules of the issuing authority.
Dubai offers a flexible business environment with streamlined procedures and investor-friendly policies that support multi-business ownership. It is advisable to seek professional guidance to ensure full compliance and to select a set-up that aligns with your long-term plans. Our experts can help you decide whether to apply for an additional business licence or trade licence in Dubai or expand your current trade licence scope.
Yes, a business licence in Dubai can be transferred, subject to approval by the relevant authority and in line with the prescribed procedures. The ability to transfer a licence usually depends on the nature of the business, its legal structure and the jurisdiction in which it is registered.
A transfer may take place in situations such as a change in ownership, a sale of the company, a legal restructure or a shift in partnership. The process generally involves submitting a formal request, securing no-objection certificates from involved parties, updating legal documents and paying the applicable fees.
Each free zone and mainland authority follows its own set of procedures, with some jurisdictions offering a more straightforward process than others. For example, free zone transfers are often managed internally, while mainland transfers may require additional steps such as amendments to the Memorandum of Association and updates with other government departments.
It is advisable to consult a qualified professional to ensure a smooth and compliant transfer.
A business licence in Dubai is issued generally valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. It must be renewed annually to ensure continued legal operation. This applies across both mainland and free zone jurisdictions, although the exact renewal procedures and timelines may vary depending on the issuing authority. This also includes businesses holding an online trade licence in Dubai.
The renewal process typically involves submitting updated company documents, ensuring all regulatory obligations are met, and settling any outstanding fees. In most cases, authorities require a valid tenancy contract, an up-to-date trade name certificate and compliance with any specific industry requirements relevant to the trade licence in UAE.
Some free zones and mainland departments now offer multi-year licence options, allowing businesses to secure licences for two or three years at a time. This may be beneficial for long-term planning and can reduce the administrative burden of annual renewals.
Timely renewal is essential to avoid penalties, disruption to operations or complications with immigration and banking services. It is advisable to track renewal dates carefully and engage a licensed consultant if needed.
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