Myth
You need a 51% Emirati shareholder
Reality
Not since 2021. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 gives 100% foreign ownership for most mainland commercial activities.
Mainland license · 2026
Commercial license in Dubai
What a Dubai commercial license covers in 2026, the real cost lines, 100% foreign ownership, and how long it takes.
Filed with DET since 2009.
10,000+ engagements, 50+ industries.
Mainland setup
What is a commercial license in Dubai?
The DET licence for trading goods, covering up to ten related activities, with 100% foreign ownership and issue in three to seven working days.
DETThe licensing authority (formerly DED)
100%Foreign ownership, most activities
3-7 daysStandard DET issuance time
Which license
Commercial, professional, or industrial: which do you need?
The type turns on what you sell: physical goods need a commercial license, expertise a professional one, manufacturing an industrial one.
| Factor | Commercial | Professional | Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Trading goods | Services and expertise | Manufacturing |
| Typical activities | Retail, import, export | Consulting, IT, design | Assembly, processing |
| Foreign ownership | 100%, most activities | 100%, most activities | 100%, most activities |
| Local service agent | Not for approved LLC | Some activities | Not typically |
| Physical office | Required (Ejari) | Required (Ejari) | Required + site |
| Sells physical goods | Yes | No | Makes them |
What you can trade
What can you do with a commercial license?
One commercial license can hold several related trading activities. Where activities span unrelated categories, the rules change.
Related activities group under one license
You can run several related trading activities, up to 10 in most cases, on a single commercial license without a separate license for each.
Unrelated activities may need general trading
To trade across unrelated product categories, you may need a general trading license, which is broader and costs more.
General trading licenseThe wrong activity code is expensive
Activities that do not match what you actually sell, or that a bank does not expect, trigger amendment fees and account rejections. Confirm the code before filing.
The 2026 update
Do you still need a local partner?
The single biggest myth on older setup pages, corrected.
Myth
A local service agent is mandatory
Reality
Not for a commercial company on an approved activity. A non-GCC sole establishment can still need one, but a listed company does not.
Myth
Every activity allows 100% ownership
Reality
Almost all, not all. Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021 keeps local-equity rules for strategic-impact sectors.
Myth
Mainland business income is tax free
Reality
No. Mainland profit above AED 375,000 is taxed at 9% corporate tax. Only qualifying free zone income can reach 0%.
Myth
Small Business Relief ended in 2026
Reality
Extended to 2029. Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 runs the AED 3M relief to periods ending 31 Dec 2029.
Myth
Any activities can sit on one commercial licence.
Reality
Related ones can. A single commercial licence holds several related trading activities. Span unrelated categories and a second licence or approval applies.
Real 2026 ranges
How much does a commercial license in Dubai cost?
Three genuine routes, cheapest to what most traders actually need. Every figure below is a planning range, not a fixed tariff.
Nationals & GCC only
DET e-Trader
Home-based online trading, no office, restricted to UAE and GCC nationals.
No Ejari required
No employee visas
Online trading only
Most common route
Commercial license, 1-3 activities
A standard mainland commercial license with an Ejari office and 100% foreign ownership.
100% foreign ownership
Up to 3 activities
Ejari office required
Broad multi-category trade
General trading license
Trade across unrelated product categories under one broader license.
Widest activity scope
Higher license fee
Same visa process
Not sure which route is cheapest for your activity?
Tell us the activity and we return an itemized quote with every DET and government line confirmed.
Costs vary with activity count, office type and visa count. The Dubai Municipality market fee, 5% of annual office rent, is the line most agencies leave out of a headline price. We show it. All figures are confirmed against the current DET schedule before you pay.
The DET process
How to get a commercial license in Dubai
Six steps from activity to license. A standard commercial license issues in 3 to 7 working days once documents and office are in order.
- Critical stage
Choose your activities
Pick the DET activities you will trade. This sets your license type and ownership eligibility.
Reserve a trade name
Submit up to three name options that follow DET naming rules. Reservation is quick.
Get initial approval
DET confirms it has no objection to your activity, structure and ownership.
Sign an Ejari office lease
A registered tenancy is required and sets your visa quota.
Submit documents and MOA
File shareholder documents and the notarised MOA for a limited liability company (LLC).
- Critical stage
Collect your license
Pay the DET and government fees and the trade license issues. External approvals can add time.
What you bring
Documents for a commercial license
For most commercial license files6 items
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Three trade name options
- Initial approval from DET
- Ejari tenancy contract for the office
- Notarised Memorandum of Association (LLC)
- NOC from a current UAE sponsor, if applicable
Documents issued abroad need attestation by the UAE embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before DET accepts them.
Full document checklist
Which is right for you
Mainland or free zone?
Both are legitimate. The right answer turns on one question: where are your customers? Here is the honest side by side.
Best for UAE trade
MainlandDET license
Free zoneZone authority license
Sell inside the UAETrade directly with local clients
Anywhere in the UAE, no agent
Needs a mainland agent or distributor
Foreign ownershipWho holds the shares
100% on most activities
100%, always
Government contractsBid for public-sector work
Fully eligible
Not eligible
Office requirementPhysical space and Ejari
Ejari office required
Flexi-desk options
Corporate tax9% above AED 375,000
9% standard rate
0% on qualifying income
Entry costTypical first-year outlay
Moderate
Often lower to start
Bank accountCompliance acceptance
Broadly accepted
Can face more scrutiny
Best for
Retail, trading and any business selling to UAE customers.
Export, e-commerce and international-only operations.
The honest verdict
If your customers are in the UAE, mainland almost always wins. If you only sell abroad or online to international clients, a free zone is often cheaper, and we will tell you so rather than sell you the wrong one.
Renewal, corporate tax and staying compliant
A commercial license is not a one-time cost. Here is what recurs each year, and the tax position every mainland trader should plan for.
- 01
Renew every year
The license, Ejari and establishment card renew annually. Lapses attract fines and can suspend the license.
- 02
9% corporate tax
Mainland profit above AED 375,000 is taxed at 9%. The first AED 375,000 is 0%. Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022.
- 03
Small Business Relief
Revenue up to AED 3M can elect zero taxable income, now to periods ending 31 Dec 2029 (MD 131 of 2026).
- 04
Register for tax
Registration and a TRN are required even at 0%. Late registration carries an AED 10,000 penalty.
Why DMCS
Why set up your license with DMCS
Commercial setups stall for avoidable reasons: an activity code that does not match the business. We clear those before filing.
Where setups fail most
We confirm your activity code before filing
The wrong activity code is the most common cause of amendment fees and bank rejections. We map it before anything is submitted.
01
Itemized quote, market fee included
You get every DET and government line separated, including the 5% market fee most agencies leave off the headline price. No surprises at renewal.
02
One desk, license to bank
The same team handles your license, visas and bank introduction, so nothing falls between handoffs.
03
Mainland is what we do
Filed with DET since 2009, across 50+ industries, so activity edge cases are routine here.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Get your commercial license quote
Tell us your activity and we return an itemized quote with every DET and government line confirmed. We will even tell you if a free zone fits you better. No obligation.
No obligationTransparent pricing, zero hidden fees100% privacy guaranteed