Dubai Trade License Renewal
Renew your Dubai trade license on time — DET mainland and free zone renewals handled end-to-end including Ejari renewal, fee payment, and updated license delivery. Avoid fines of AED 250+ per month.
Description
Dubai trade licenses must be renewed annually — DET (mainland) and all free zone licenses expire 12 months from issuance, and late renewal triggers monthly fines (AED 250+ per month for DET licenses), blocked visa processing, frozen bank transactions in some cases, and ultimately license cancellation with blacklisting of shareholders. Timely renewal is one of the most important compliance obligations for any Dubai business.
The renewal process varies by jurisdiction. DET mainland renewals require a valid Ejari tenancy contract covering the new license period, settlement of any outstanding fines, updated regulatory approvals for regulated activities, and payment of renewal fees. Free zone renewals require the facility lease renewal (flexi-desk or office) and package fee payment through the relevant free zone portal. Both can usually be completed without the shareholder being physically present in the UAE.
Octavon Global Advisory handles complete Dubai license renewal — expiry monitoring, Ejari renewal coordination, fine checking and settlement, regulator approval renewals (where applicable), renewal fee payment, and updated trade license delivery. Standard renewals complete in 3 to 5 working days when the Ejari is current; we recommend starting 30 days before expiry.
What's Included
- DET or Free Zone License Renewal Processing
- License Expiry and Fine Status Check
- Ejari Renewal Coordination (Mainland)
- Facility Lease Renewal Coordination (Free Zone)
- Outstanding Fine Settlement Coordination
- Regulated Activity Approval Renewals (Where Applicable)
- Renewal Fee Payment Processing
- Updated Trade License Delivery (Digital)
- Establishment Card Renewal Coordination
- Renewal Calendar and Reminder Service for Next Year
- Free Compliance Review (Corporate Tax and VAT Status)
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Existing Dubai trade license (mainland or free zone)
- Valid Ejari or facility lease covering the renewal period
- No unresolved regulatory violations
- Settlement of outstanding fines (we identify and coordinate)
- Shareholder passport copies (if details changed)
- Regulated activities: current regulator approval (DHA, RERA, DTCM, KHDA)
Required Documents
- Current Trade License Copy
- Valid Ejari / Facility Lease (covering new period)
- Passport Copy of Shareholders
- Emirates ID of Manager (if applicable)
- Establishment Card Copy
- Regulator Approval (for regulated activities)
- Power of Attorney (if renewing on your behalf remotely)
Our Process
- License status and fine check
- Ejari or facility lease renewal coordination
- Outstanding fine settlement (if any)
- Regulator approval renewal (regulated activities)
- Renewal application submission
- Renewal fee payment
- Updated trade license issuance
- Establishment Card renewal (if expiring)
- Delivery of renewed license documents
- Next-year renewal reminder setup
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 12,000
- Service Fee: AED 1,500
- VAT (5%): AED 675
- Total: AED 14,175
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I renew my Dubai trade license late?
DET mainland licenses incur fines of AED 250+ per month of delay. Beyond fines, an expired license blocks visa processing and renewals for all employees, can freeze government transactions, and after extended non-renewal DET can cancel the license entirely — which affects shareholder records for future UAE setups.
How long does Dubai trade license renewal take?
Standard renewals complete in 3 to 5 working days when the Ejari or facility lease is current. If the Ejari has expired or fines are outstanding, settlement adds time — we recommend starting the renewal process 30 days before license expiry.
Do I need to be in the UAE to renew my license?
No. License renewal is processed digitally for both DET and free zone licenses. With a power of attorney or authorised signatory arrangement, we complete the entire renewal remotely and deliver the updated license digitally.
Does my Ejari need to be valid for renewal?
Yes, for DET mainland licenses. The Ejari tenancy contract must cover the new license period — an expired Ejari is the most common cause of renewal delays. We coordinate Ejari renewal with your landlord or business centre as part of the service.
Do regulated activities have extra renewal steps?
Yes. Activities regulated by DHA, RERA, DTCM, KHDA, or Civil Defence require the regulator approval to be current before DET processes the license renewal. We check regulator status during the initial review and coordinate approvals in parallel.
Can I change activities or company details during renewal?
Renewal and amendment are separate processes, but they can be run together. If you want to add activities, change the trade name, or update shareholders at renewal time, we bundle the amendment with the renewal to save government fees and processing time.
How much does Dubai license renewal cost?
DET mainland renewal government fees typically range from AED 8,000-15,000 depending on license type and activities. Free zone renewals match the original package fee (AED 12,000-30,000+ depending on the zone). Our service fee covers the full coordination including Ejari and fine checks.