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A mainland trade licence in Dubai is billed in parts. The licence fee goes to DET, the Department of Economy and Tourism. Everything around it, rent, visas and approvals, is billed by other parties. That is why two quotes for the "same" licence can differ by thousands.
Published licence fees
| Licence | Published range per year |
|---|---|
| Commercial | AED 12,500 to AED 15,000 |
| Professional | AED 9,500 to AED 12,500 |
Source: published prices of 2 setup agencies, checked . Industrial, general trading and tourism licences cost more and vary by activity, so we do not give a range. We have not verified DET's own fee tables line by line.
Lines that sit outside the licence fee
| Line | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Office | Rent, flexi desk or shared space, and whether DET accepts it for your activity |
| Visas | Price per person, medical and Emirates ID included or not |
| Establishment card | Needed before visas, see establishment card |
| Trade name | Reservation fee |
| Approvals | Only for regulated activities |
| Notary and translation | For the memorandum and foreign papers |
| Renewal | Licence fee again, with the lease |
How to compare two quotes
- Check both quotes list the same licence type.
- Check the office. A flexi desk and a full office are not the same price.
- Count visas on both.
- Ask what is billed later, such as approvals and typing fees.
- Ask for the renewal figure.
Mainland against free zone
A free zone package often bundles the desk and a visa at a fixed price. A mainland setup is priced by parts. The free zone licence cost page lists the free zone side, and trade licence cost in Dubai covers the Dubai free zone ranges.
Other emirates
Entry prices are lower in the northern emirates. See Sharjah mainland licence and Ajman mainland licence.
Next
Return to the Dubai mainland setup guide or read the DET licence page.
Where to get a written quote
A published price is only the start. To see what a setup agency adds on top, compare written quotes from two or three firms in the directory of 497 Dubai setup consultants, and ask each to show government fees and service fees on separate lines.
Sources
- Alaan, Dubai trade licence cost guide: https://www.alaan.com/blog/dubai-trade-licence-cost-requirements-guide
- Voffice, types of trade licences in Dubai: https://voffice.co.id/blog/en/types-of-trade-licenses-in-dubai/
- Invest in Dubai: https://investindubai.gov.ae
