E-Trader Licence Dubai: Cost, Who Can Apply and How

Last updated 25 October 2026

The e-trader licence is the lowest cost way to trade legally from a Dubai home. It is issued by DET, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and was made for people selling online with no premises. Searches often call it the DED e-trader licence, the old name. The catch is eligibility, and the sources do not agree on who can get a new one.

What it allows

Selling goods or services online from your home address.
Social media selling, with the licence number shown on your page.
Small, one-person trade with no office.

It is not a shop licence, and it is not made for hiring staff. If you need premises or a team, move to a professional licence or a commercial licence from DET.

Who can apply

This is the part to check before you spend money. An agency guide dated June 2026 says the sources disagree: some describe a professional services category open to foreign residents, others restrict commercial e-trader licences to UAE and GCC nationals. Agency pages also differ on whether new licences are being issued. We cannot settle it from here. Ask Invest in Dubai, or send us the form and we ask a licensed partner.

The basics one agency lists:

Minimum age 21.
Valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
A Dubai address with a Makani number.

How to apply

Open the DET trader account on Invest in Dubai.
Sign in with UAE Pass.
Choose the e-trader licence and your activity.
Upload your ID and address details.
Pay the fee and download the licence.

Agencies say issuance takes a few working days once documents are complete.

Cost

Line	Published range
Licence fee, per year	AED 1,070 to AED 1,500
Dubai Chamber membership	AED 300, listed by 1 agency

Source: published prices of 2 setup agencies, checked October 2026. DET sets the real fee, so confirm it on the portal.

Renewal

The licence runs for a year and is renewed online in the same trader account. Missing it leaves you trading without a valid licence.

Other cheap routes

An online shop with a bigger plan fits an e-commerce licence in a free zone. A freelancer can look at a freelance licence. The mainland overview is on Dubai mainland company setup.

Sources

Voffice, e-trader licence guide, dated 29 June: https://voffice.co.id/blog/en/e-trader-license-dubai-guide/
Bestaxca, e-trader licence page: https://bestaxca.com/e-trader-license-dubai/
Invest in Dubai: https://investindubai.gov.ae

Get free quotes from several free zones

Tell us about an e-trader licence in Dubai: your activity, the visas and the office you need. We pass it to the free zones that fit or to a licensed setup partner, and reply with options you can compare side by side.

UAEFreeZoneDirectory.com is an independent directory, not a free zone or a government office. You pay nothing for using this form.

Questions people ask

What is an e-trader licence in Dubai?

A DET licence for individuals who run a small online business from home, with no shop or office. It was set up for sellers on social media and online marketplaces.

How much does an e-trader licence cost?

Setup agencies publish AED 1,070 to AED 1,500 a year (published prices of 2 agencies). One of them adds AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership. Confirm the figure on Invest in Dubai before you pay.

Can a foreigner or expat get an e-trader licence?

Sources disagree. Some say it is open to residents in a professional services category, others say commercial e-trader licences go to UAE and GCC nationals only. Check with Invest in Dubai or ask us.

What do I need to apply?

One agency lists a minimum age of 21, a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, and a Dubai home address with a Makani number. Apply online through the DET trader portal.

Can I hire staff or get a visa for the business with it?

It is built as a one-person, home-based licence, so it is not the route for a team or an office. If you need staff, look at a professional or commercial licence.

E-trader licence in Dubai