Dubai Trade License Renewal (DET Mainland and Free Zone)
Trade license renewal in Dubai, handled before your expiry date: DET mainland renewal online, Ejari and approval checks, fine clearance and free zone renewals.
Description
Trade license renewal in Dubai is a yearly deadline for most companies. A mainland licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is valid for one year, and it has to be renewed before the expiry date printed on it. Free zone licences are renewed separately, with the free zone that issued them, on that zone's own portal and under its own rules. Below is how to renew a trade license in Dubai on both sides, what has to be in order first, and what happens if you miss the date.
**How DET mainland renewal works.** DET gives you three ways to renew a trade license online or in person: the Invest in Dubai platform (you enter the licence number or trade name with the email and mobile number registered on the licence, check the fees shown, and pay by card), an SMS with your licence number to 6969, which sends back a payment link, or a registered business service centre. DET also sends renewal reminders to the licence holder before expiry. When the file is clean, online renewal can be finished in one sitting. When something is missing, the system stops the renewal until it is fixed.
**What usually blocks a renewal.** For most mainland licences, the office lease must be registered in Ejari, the Dubai Land Department's tenancy system, and still valid. An expired lease is the most common hold-up, so renew the tenancy and its Ejari first; if you need a new space, our flexi-desk and office rental service can help. Activities supervised by another authority (tourism with DET's tourism arm, real estate with RERA, healthcare with DHA, education with KHDA, food with Dubai Municipality) need that approval to be current. Unpaid fines recorded against the licence have to be settled before DET renews it.
**Instant Licence holders, plan ahead.** A Dubai Instant License lets you trade in the first year without an Ejari-registered lease or a notarised Memorandum of Association. Both become requirements at the first renewal, so start arranging an office and the MOA two to three months before the licence turns one year old.
**Late renewal rules.** DET charges a fine for each month a licence stays expired. An expired licence also gets in the way of day-to-day business: new visas and work permits for the company, and bank or supplier checks, usually need a valid licence. Treat the expiry date as the deadline and don't count on a grace period. If the business has stopped trading, a formal trade licence cancellation is better than letting the licence lapse, because fines keep adding up on an unrenewed licence.
**Free zone renewals.** Each Dubai free zone (DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA, DAFZ, Meydan, Dubai South and others) renews through its own client portal. Expect to renew your office or flexi-desk agreement with the zone, keep the establishment card valid, and pay the zone's renewal fees. Several zones, including DMCC, JAFZA and Dubai South, also require audited financial statements every year, and DMCC can refuse renewal when they haven't been filed; our free zone annual audit service covers that. Some free zone packages run for more than one year, so check the term on your licence.
**What the renewal cost is made of.** Dubai trade license renewal fees are not one flat amount. On the mainland they depend on your activities and legal form, Dubai Chamber membership, fees linked to your rent, and any approvals your activity needs. Late fines and changes made at the same time add to it. In a free zone, the package, office type and number of visas drive the cost. Send us your current licence on WhatsApp or live chat and we'll give you a written quote for your renewal.
**What we handle.** We check the licence status and any fines, coordinate the Ejari or free zone lease, renew activity approvals, submit the renewal and send you the renewed licence. If you want to add activities, change partners or move office at the same time, that is a separate trade license amendment that we can run alongside the renewal. Companies that want every renewal and visa deadline tracked for them use our PRO monthly retainer.
What's Included
- Licence status, expiry date and fines check (DET or free zone)
- Ejari and lease renewal coordination with your landlord or business centre (mainland)
- Free zone office or flexi-desk agreement renewal coordination
- Renewal of activity approvals where your activity is regulated
- Settlement of outstanding fines before renewal
- Renewal submission and payment through DET or the free zone portal
- Renewed licence delivered digitally
- Establishment card renewal if it is also due
- Reminder of your next renewal date
Requirements / Prerequisites
- An existing Dubai trade licence (DET mainland or a Dubai free zone)
- Mainland: a valid office lease registered in Ejari (Instant Licence holders: required from the first renewal)
- Free zone: a valid office or flexi-desk agreement with the zone
- Current approval from the relevant authority for regulated activities
- No unpaid fines on the licence, or fines settled as part of the renewal
- Free zones that require it: audited financial statements filed for the last financial year
- Access to the email and mobile number registered on the licence, or a representative authorised to act for the company
Required Documents
- Copy of the current trade licence
- Ejari certificate and tenancy contract (mainland) or free zone lease agreement
- Passport and Emirates ID copies of the owners and manager, if requested or if details changed
- Current approval from the regulating authority (regulated activities only)
- Establishment card copy
- Audited financial statements (free zones that require them)
- Instant Licence holders at first renewal: notarised MOA where the legal form requires one
- Power of attorney or authorisation letter if someone renews on your behalf
Our Process
- Check the licence status, expiry date and any fines
- Renew the lease and Ejari (mainland) or the free zone office agreement
- Renew any activity approval that has expired
- Settle outstanding fines
- Submit the renewal through Invest in Dubai, SMS 6969 or a service centre (mainland), or the free zone portal
- Pay the renewal fees
- Receive the renewed licence
- Renew the establishment card and update banks or platforms that hold a copy of your licence
Pricing
Contact us on WhatsApp for a tailored quote for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my trade license in Dubai?
For a DET mainland licence, make sure your Ejari-registered lease and any activity approvals are valid and fines are paid, then renew on the Invest in Dubai platform, by sending your licence number to 6969 by SMS, or at a business service centre. For a free zone licence, renew through that zone's portal after renewing your office agreement and filing any required audit.
Can I renew my trade license online in Dubai?
Yes. DET mainland licences can be renewed online through Invest in Dubai or via the SMS payment link, using the email and mobile number registered on the licence. Free zone licences are renewed on each zone's own portal. If the system flags a missing Ejari, approval or fine, that has to be fixed before the online renewal goes through.
What are the Dubai trade license renewal fees made of?
On the mainland: the DET licence fees for your activities and legal form, Dubai Chamber membership, fees linked to your rent, and any approval fees for regulated activities, plus fines if you're late. In a free zone: the package or licence fee, the office or desk, and visa-related items. Send us your licence for a written quote.
Is there a grace period for trade license renewal in Dubai?
Don't rely on one. DET charges a fine for every month the licence stays expired, and an expired licence can hold up visas, permits and bank checks. Renew before the expiry date; starting a month ahead gives time to sort out Ejari or approvals.
Does my Ejari need to be valid to renew?
For most mainland licences, yes. DET checks that the office lease is registered in Ejari and still valid. If your lease has expired, renew it and register it in Ejari first. Instant Licence holders need an Ejari from their first renewal.
How long does trade license renewal take in Dubai?
If the lease, approvals and fines are all in order, a mainland renewal can be done online in one sitting. An expired Ejari, an approval that needs renewing, or audited accounts still being prepared (free zones) add time, which is why we start a month before expiry.
Do I need to be in the UAE to renew?
Not usually. Mainland online renewal needs the registered email and mobile number and online payment, not a visit. Free zone renewals are done on the zone's portal by the authorised person. If a step needs a signature or a new document, a power of attorney may be needed; we'll tell you in advance.
How is a free zone licence renewal different?
It is done with the free zone, not DET. You renew the zone office or desk agreement instead of an Ejari lease (inside the zone), keep the establishment card valid, and in zones such as DMCC, JAFZA and Dubai South file audited financial statements. Each zone sets its own fees and late penalties.