How to renew your trade licence in Dubai (and avoid late fines)

Every UAE trade licence has an expiry date — usually one year after it was issued. Renewing on time keeps your company legal, protects your visas and keeps your bank account running. Renewing late costs money and can freeze things you rely on every day.

When to start

Start 30 to 60 days before expiry. That gives time to renew documents that feed into the licence — like your office lease — and to fix anything the authority flags. Most free zones and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) send reminders, but don't rely on them.

What you usually need

• Your current trade licence
• A valid office lease or flexi-desk agreement (and Ejari for mainland offices)
• Passport copies of shareholders and managers, plus visa and Emirates ID copies where relevant
• Any activity approvals from other authorities that have their own expiry dates
• Up-to-date company records if shareholders, managers or activities changed during the year

The renewal process

1. Review your licence — activities, shareholders and office details still correct?
2. Renew the lease first if it expires before or with the licence
3. Submit the renewal application on the free zone portal or through DET for mainland companies
4. Pay the renewal fees — licence, office and any registration fees
5. Download the renewed licence and update your bank and key suppliers

Renewal is often a good moment to add or remove activities, change your office package or add visa quota.

What happens if you renew late

• Fines: mainland Dubai licences are commonly reported to attract a fine of around AED 250 for each month of delay. Free zones set their own penalties, which can be charged daily or monthly. We confirm the exact amount for your authority.
• Visas: the immigration system can block new visas and renewals while the licence is expired
• Establishment card: this can lapse too, adding another fine and another renewal
• Bank account: banks ask for a valid licence and can restrict the account until you provide one
• Trading: operating on an expired licence can lead to a separate, larger fine

The longer a licence stays expired, the more these stack up — and a company left expired for a long time can be struck off.

How long renewal takes

A straightforward renewal is often done within a few working days once documents and payment are in. It takes longer if an approval from another authority must also be renewed, or if the office lease is not ready.

Tips to make renewal painless

• Put the expiry date of the licence, lease, establishment card and every visa in one calendar
• Keep your company documents in one shared folder
• Renew the lease and licence together where your zone allows it
• Budget for renewal at the start of the year, not the month it is due

How we help

We track your renewal dates, prepare the documents, file with the free zone or DET and handle the establishment card and visas alongside it, so nothing lapses. See our PRO and government services or book a free 20-minute call.