The short answer
Renew through the Invest in Dubai portal, SMS 6969 or a service centre, usually within 24 hours. A valid Ejari contract is required first.
The process
Five steps from an approaching deadline to a renewed license. The Ejari and any fines must be settled before the renewal goes through.
Make sure the tenancy and Ejari are valid. If the lease changed, renew the Ejari first.
Unpaid fines block the renewal until settled, so pull a status check early.
File through the Invest in Dubai portal, by SMS to 6969, or at a service centre.
Health from DHA, food from Dubai Municipality, education from KHDA.
Pay the payment voucher and download the license, usually same-day to 24 hours.
A mainland renewal typically costs around AED 8,000 to 15,000, depending on activity and office. The headline license fee is not the whole cost.
Most renewals need the same core set. The one that catches businesses out is the Ejari, so handle it first.
The renewal now cross-checks your Federal Tax Authority registration and your beneficial ownership register. If your corporate tax registration or UBO details are not current, the renewal can be held at the payment stage, so confirm both before you file.
A late fine accrues from the day after expiry, and consequences escalate the longer it stays lapsed.
Month 1
Around AED 250 per month accrues from the day after expiry, under the Commercial Compliance Manual.
Do this instead: renew before expiry; do not rely on any grace period.
60 days
After about 60 days, a surcharge of around 10% is added to the accumulated fines.
Do this instead: clear the renewal before the surcharge applies.
6 months
After about six months, an expired license blocks visa renewals and services.
Do this instead: renew well before this to keep visas active.
12 months
After about twelve months the license may be cancelled, needing a fresh application and losing your number.
Do this instead: never let it lapse this far; the history is lost.
Operating
A separate fine of around AED 5,000 applies for operating with an expired license, more after closure.
Do this instead: stop trading until the renewal is complete.
FAQ
Tell DMCS your license number and expiry date, and we confirm what you owe, flag anything that could block the renewal, and handle the filing before the deadline. Government fees shown separately from our fee. No obligation.
