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Your business license expires next month. Employee visas are pending. Bank transactions might freeze. One missed deadline could halt your entire operation.
Business license renewal in Dubai isn’t just paperwork, it’s what keeps your company legally operational. Miss it, and you’re looking at fines starting from AED 250, frozen bank accounts, and visa complications affecting your entire team.
This blog explains how to renew your business license in Dubai: the 30-day grace period, exact penalties, required documents, and both online and offline renewal methods for all license types in 2025.
A UAE business license is a legal document issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or Free Zone Authority ,permitting companies to engage in commercial activities within the UAE.
According to the Dubai Department of Economic Development, there are over 215,000 active licenses in the emirate as of 2025. In 2024, approximately 200,000 new economic licenses were issued across the UAE. Without a current license, you cannot sign contracts, process bank transactions, renew employee visas, or operate legally, making annual license renewal in Dubai essential.
Understanding your license type is essential before starting business license renewal in Dubai.
| Licence Type | Activities | Mainland Renewal Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Trading, import/export, retail, wholesale | AED 12,000-15,000 |
| Professional | Consultancy, IT, legal, accounting, healthcare | AED 8,000-12,000 |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, production, processing | AED 15,000-20,000 |
| Tourism | Travel agencies, tour operators, hotels | AED 10,000-14,000 |
| E-commerce | Online retail, digital marketplaces | AED 8,000-12,000 |
| E-Trader | Home-based selling (UAE/GCC nationals) | AED 1,070 |
| Freelance Permit | Individual professional services | AED 7,500-15,000 (Free Zone) |
Commercial licences cover general trading, e-commerce, import/export, and logistics. Chamber of Commerce membership (AED 300-500) is mandatory for license renewal in Dubai.
Professional licences allow 100% foreign ownership for consultancy, IT services, legal services, and healthcare. Educational qualifications must match business activity for how to renew company license in Dubai.
Industrial licenses need warehouse space and environmental approvals from Dubai Municipality. In 2024, online retailing led with 4,700 new licences (30% of registrations), whilst industrial activities remained steady.
Tourism licences need DTCM approval and qualified tourism manager for license renewal in Dubai.
E-commerce and E-Trader licences enable online selling. E-Trader costs just AED 1,070 annually but is available only to UAE/GCC nationals with no visa provision.
Freelance permits allow individual professionals to work without full company setup, costing AED 7,500-15,000 depending on free zone for license renewal in Dubai.
Over 75% of renewals are now completed online, with processing time reduced from 5-7 days in 2020 to 1-3 days in 2025.
The online method for how to renew company license in Dubai takes 10–15 minutes, with approval within 1-5 business days.
Business License renewal platforms in Dubai:
1. Department of Economy and Tourism Portal: dubaidet.gov.ae
2. Dubai Now App-45% year-on-year increase in usage
3. Invest in Dubai Portal: investindubai.gov.ae
Process for online business license renewal:
Offline process to renew company license in Dubai:
Tasheel centres operate Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at locations including Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall.
Free Zones simplify business license renewal in Dubai compared to the mainland. Each has its own portal and requirements.
Major Free Zones
| Free Zone | Estimate Renewal Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC | AED 8,000-12,000 | 24-48 hours |
| JAFZA | AED 10,000-15,000 | 1-3 days |
| Dubai Internet City | AED 9,000-13,000 | Same day-48 hours |
| IFZA | AED 7,500-11,000 | 24-48 hours |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,000-8,000 | 1-2 days |
Key advantage: No Ejari registration required for free zone license renewal in Dubai, saving AED 200-500 annually.
Regional statistics show growth: Abu Dhabi saw renewals rise 27% in 2024, Sharjah processed 30,910 renewals (H1 2024), Ajman completed 131,380 renewals, and Fujairah processed 10,128 renewals in 2024.
The UAE provides a 30-day grace period for license renewal in Dubai after expiration. For example, If your license expires on 15th March, you have until 14th April to complete the business license renewal in Dubai without immediate financial penalties. However, significant operational restrictions apply.
Restrictions during grace period:
Visa limitations:
Banking restrictions:
Business operations:
Recommended timeline for how to renew company license in Dubai:
Early preparation provides buffer time for document issues, system delays, or additional approvals from DHA, RTA, or KHDA.
Missing your deadline brings financial consequences and operational disruptions for license renewal in Dubai.
2025 Fine Structure
Basic penalty for overstaying grace period: AED 250. Daily penalties of AED 500 accumulate, with AED 5,000 maximum in most cases.
Penalty breakdown:
Days 1-30 (Grace Period):
After 30 Days:
Operating without valid licence:
Free Zone variations:
Serious consequences
Banking: Banks freeze accounts. Cannot process payments, receive transfers, or access online banking for license renewal in Dubai.
Visas: Cannot process work permits or renew existing visas. Employees face status issues affecting how to renew company license in Dubai.
Contracts: Agreements signed during expired period may be legally questionable. Suppliers refuse orders, clients withhold payments.
Credit rating: Late renewals reported to Al Etihad Credit Bureau, affecting business credit score and future financing.
Blacklisting Risk
When businesses operate without completing license renewal in Dubai, blacklisting becomes possible, the most severe punishment.
Consequences:
Complete checklist for how to renew a company license in Dubai:
Sector-Specific Approvals
| Sector | Authority | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | DHA | AED 1,000-5,000 |
| Food & Beverage | Food Safety | AED 500-2,000 |
| Education | KHDA | AED 1,000-3,000 |
| Transport | RTA | AED 500-2,500 |
| Tourism | DTCM | AED 1,000-2,500 |
Free Zone Documents
Fewer documents needed for license renewal in Dubai:
Advantage: No Ejari required for free zone license renewal in Dubai.
Understanding costs helps budget for annual license renewal in Dubai.
| Fee | Commercial | Professional | Industrial | Tourism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET Licence | AED 5,000-7,000 | AED 3,000-5,000 | AED 6,000-9,000 | AED 4,000-6,000 |
| Activities | AED 2,000-3,000 | AED 1,000-2,000 | AED 2,500-4,000 | AED 1,500-2,500 |
| Chamber | AED 300-500 | AED 300-500 | AED 300-500 | AED 300-500 |
| Innovation | AED 200-300 | AED 200-300 | AED 200-300 | AED 200-300 |
| Municipality | AED 1,500-4,000 | AED 1,000-3,000 | AED 2,000-5,000 | AED 1,000-3,000 |
| Ejari | AED 175-220 | AED 175-220 | AED 175-220 | AED 175-220 |
| Total | AED 12,000-15,000 | AED 8,000-12,000 | AED 15,000-20,000 | AED 10,000-14,000 |
Additional costs for license renewal in Dubai:
| Free Zone | Standard | With 1 Visa | With 3 Visas |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC | AED 8,000-10,000 | AED 11,000-13,000 | AED 17,000-20,000 |
| JAFZA | AED 10,000-12,000 | AED 13,000-15,000 | AED 19,000-22,000 |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,000-8,000 | AED 9,000-11,000 | AED 14,000-17,000 |
RAKEZ offers one of the cheapest licences at AED 11,990 with one visa for license renewal in Dubai.
Special Licence Costs
E-commerce license renewal in Dubai:
Multi-Year Options
The UAE is considering 10-year “Golden Business Licences” and 5-year “Silver Business Licences” to reduce costs for license renewal in Dubai.
Business license renewal in Dubai requires planning and complete documentation. Whether you hold a commercial, professional, industrial, tourism, e-commerce, or freelance license, starting early ensures smooth license renewal in Dubai.
The 30-day grace period offers some extra time, but it can cause operational problem. Start license renewal in Dubai 60-90 days before expiry to avoid visa complications, banking restrictions, and reputational concerns.
With costs ranging from AED 1,070 for E-Trader to AED 20,000 for industrial licences, and penalties reaching AED 5,000, timely license renewal in Dubai protects your finances and operations.
The UAE has streamlined how to renew company license in Dubai through digital platforms. Most renewals are completed within 1-3 business days online.
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