UAE licence types
| Licence | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Commercial Licence | A commercial licence lets a mainland company buy and sell goods — trading, import-export, retail, wholesale and distribution. |
| General Trading Licence | A general trading licence allows trade in a broad range of product categories under one licence — attractive for importers and distributors with varied catalogues. |
| Professional Licence | A professional licence is for service businesses: consultancy, engineering, legal, accounting, marketing, design and similar professions. |
| Industrial Licence | An industrial licence permits manufacturing, processing and assembly. |
| E-commerce Licence | An e-commerce licence lets you sell online — through your own website or marketplaces. |
Who issues the licence
| Jurisdiction | Authority |
|---|---|
| Mainland (Dubai) | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Mainland (Abu Dhabi) | Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) |
| Mainland (Sharjah) | Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) |
| Free zones | Each zone’s authority — see the free zone list |
Company structures
a UAE trade licence: FAQs
What is a UAE trade licence?
A trade licence is the government permission to carry on a business activity. It is issued by an emirate’s economic department (mainland) or a free zone authority, and lists the activities you may perform.
What types of licence are there?
Commercial (trading), professional (services), industrial (manufacturing), e-commerce and general trading are the common families; free zones add sector-specific categories. Regulated activities need extra approvals.
Can I add activities later?
Usually yes, subject to the authority’s rules and extra fees. Choose activities carefully at the start.
Free zone licence or mainland licence?
A free zone licence is valid in its zone; a mainland licence allows trade across the UAE. See the decision framework.
Get a written quote for a UAE trade licence
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.