Scope
- Multiple product categories under one licence
- Suited to importers and distributors with varied catalogues
- Excluded or restricted goods need separate approval
Plan for
Scope, capital and premises rules can be more demanding than a single-activity licence. Confirm with DET. See UAE general trading licence.
Cost
| Item | Government cost (reviewed July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Trade licence (government) | ≈ AED 11,500–13,500, plus name approval, initial approval, Tasheel and MoA |
| All-in, zero visa (government) | from ≈ AED 13,900 |
| All-in, one visa (government) | ≈ AED 18,750 |
| Establishment / immigration card | ≈ AED 750–2,000 one-off |
| Investor or partner visa | ≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each |
| Employee visa (incl. labour card) | ≈ AED 5,000–8,000 each |
Sources and verification
Government-fee figures are those published by Dubai’s authorities as compiled in public guides and reviewed July 2026; amounts marked indicative come from market guides and vary. Confirm every figure with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) before paying. Reviewed September 2026.
- UAE Government portal
- Federal Tax Authority
- Market guide: Mainland company formation Dubai cost (2026)
- Market guide: How to set up a company in Dubai (2026)
Fee-data status: Published (government) and Indicative (market) as labelled in each table.
Dubai mainland general trading licence: FAQs
Is a general trading licence more expensive?
Often more than a single-activity licence; confirm with DET for your activities.
Get a written quote for Dubai mainland
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.