Complete Guide to DED License in Dubai 2026 – Costs & Process

Starting a business in Dubai sounds exciting, until you hit the licensing part and wonder, “Where do I even begin?” You don’t need to worry! It’s a common phase that everyone has to face. The DED license is the key to legally doing business on the Dubai mainland. You only have to understand how it works. That’s how the whole process becomes surprisingly simple.

Get ready to unpack every detail about your DED license.

• The costs
• Steps
• Renewals, and

Everything else you need to know for 2026. Keep reading till the end to get your business off the ground the right way!

Define a DED License:

A DED license is the official business license. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism issues the license. The DET is formerly known as DED. They authorize you to operate a business legally on Dubai’s mainland.

Under a license, you’re permitted to trade, offer services, manufacture, or run freelance operations. Hence, the DED trade license is your legal passport to start your business today. With it, you can operate and grow a business in Dubai under the mainland regulations.

Why is your business a DED License?

Every business owner needs a DED license to get a legal status to do business in Dubai. It’s your ticket to open corporate bank accounts, sign contracts, and sponsor visas. The license guarantees compliance, and operating without a license can lead to fines. You’ll also face serious consequences in the form of a business shutdown.
It allows easy local operations beyond free zones. Often, mainland businesses have wider customer access and flexibility.

Moreover, the license provides your business with a professional reputation. Today, customers, partners, and suppliers trust a licensed business more easily than an unlicensed one.

Types of DED Licenses in Dubai:

Depending on your business nature, you can choose among various license types under the DED regime:

Commercial License:

Obtain a commercial license if your business is involved in:

• Trading
• Importing/exporting goods
• General trading
• Retail
• Wholesale, or
• Distribution.

Professional License:

If your business offers service-based activities, then a professional license is issued. The activities such as:

• Consulting
• Freelancing
• IT services
• Marketing, or
• Other skill-based professions.

These all come under a professional license. 

Industrial License:

This type of license is mainly for manufacturing, including:

• Light industry
• Production
• Processing

An industrial license permits business activities that require physical manufacturing or industrial operations.

Tourism License:

Travel agencies require a tourism license to legally operate. With this license, you can start your business, including:

• Tour operators
• Hospitality-related services
• Tourism facilitation

Though tourism-related license requires additional approvals beyond standard licensing.

DED License Activities List:

Below, we’ve shared the list for DED license activities:

2,100 + Business Activities:

Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) maintains a vast catalog of two thousand plus distinct business activities. These activities are enough for you to choose from. This extensive list includes:

• General trading
• Specific trades
• Professional services
• Manufacturing lines, and
• Many niche operations

This gives entrepreneurs huge flexibility when planning their business.

How to Choose Your Business Activity:

This is how you can choose your business activity:

Match your core operations:

Pick the activity that accurately describes what your business does. It’s either general trading, web design services, or import/export.

Consider future growth:

Select activities that allow flexibility or multiple sub-activities if you plan to expand into related lines.

Check regulatory requirements:

Some activities may require extra approvals or compliance steps. Those may include industrial or tourism.

Confirm compliance obligations:

Certain activities may trigger additional licensing conditions. Be sure to meet them before registration.

DED License Cost: Fee Breakdown for 2025:

The complete fee breakdown of the DED Dubai license has been discussed in detail:

Basic License Fees:

The core cost for a DED license depends on the activity and office type. DET doesn’t publish a flat global fee. The license setup ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 dirhams for small businesses. The license, trade name, and basic services are included. This cost also covers the:

• Trade name reservation
• Licensing fees, and
• Initial administrative costs.

Activity-Specific Costs:

Professional license fees might be lower due to lower regulatory overhead. Industrial or manufacturing licenses incur extra costs. Because of inspections, approvals, environmental or safety clearances. Further, tourism-related licenses may charge higher service fees or extra regulatory charges. This is because of additional industry requirements.

Hidden Costs to Consider:

Office premises (Ejari tenancy contract):

DED requires a valid physical address and an Ejari tenancy contract for registration.

Visa quotas and visas for employees:

Visa processing and associated fees can add up if you plan to hire staff.

PRO / Government service fees:

Document clearing, approvals, and other administrative charges.

Local sponsor/local service agent fees:

Local agent fee applicable. However, many modern structures allow 100 percent foreign ownership for certain activities.

Total Investment Required:

You can expect a minimum investment of 10,000 to 15,000+ dirhams for a small setup. Factoring in license fees, office rental, visa quotas, and other ancillary costs. Costs can rise depending on the scope for larger or industrial businesses.

Apply for a DED License: Steps Involved

Below are the steps that you follow to apply for a DED license for your business:

Pre-Application Requirements

1. Decide on business activity:

Choose from the official DED/DET activity list.

1. Reserve trade name:

Pick and register a unique trade name through the DET portal.

1. Secure business premises:

A physical office or shop with a valid Ejari tenancy contract. This is mandatory for mainland licenses.

Required Documents for DED License

• Passport copies of shareholders/partners.
• Completed application form (detailing business activity, shareholding, etc.).
• Tenancy contract (Ejari).
• Trade name reservation certificate.
• Initial share capital proof (if required for certain activities).

Online Application Process

1. Visit the DET e-service portal and choose “new mainland license”.
2. Fill out the form by selecting business activity, license type, and uploading documents.
3. Pay license and service fees online.
4. Await approval, the license is issued as a PDF. You receive the trade license number when approved.

Processing Time

Licensing is issued within 3 to 7 working days when all documents are correct. Sometimes, the process is faster depending on the workload and activity type.

DED License Renewal: 2025 Guide

The steps to renew your DED licenses are as follows:

When to Renew Your DED License

A DED license remains valid for one year. Renew your license before its expiry to avoid fines, visa issues, or business disruptions.

DED License Renewal Process Online:

1. Log in to the DET portal.
2. Select “renew license”.
3. Update any changed information. A new address or shareholders
4. Upload the updated tenancy contract if your premises have changed.
5. Pay renewal fees and submit.

Required Documents for Renewal:

• Updated Ejari tenancy contract (if address changed).
• Updated shareholder or trade name documentation (if changed).
• Visa quota forms (if renewing visas).
• Payment receipt of renewal fees.

DED License Renewal Cost:

Renewal costs slightly less than initial setup. The cost is usually around 6,000 to 7,500 dirhams. It depends on business activity and associated services.

Consequences of Not Renewing

Operating with an expired license can lead to fines from authorities. You may also face visa suspensions or the inability to renew or issue new visas. Not renewing on time stops you from inability to sign business deals and you’ll be stuck in contractual disputes. License renewal on time is essential, or you risk business closure or forced shutdown

DED License Check: How to Verify Your License Status

Online Verification Methods

You can verify license status by using the DET online portal or via the UAE’s business registration verification services. Simply enter your trade license number or trade name to check license validity and status.

What Information Can You Check

• License validity (active or expired)
• Business activity listed under the license
• Owner/partner names
• Visa quota and number of sponsored employees (if applicable)
• Any restrictions or notes on the license

Blog Summary:

Getting your DED license remains the most reliable way. It’s your ticket to run a business in the Dubai mainland legally. All you have to do is pick your license from a wide variety of license types, as discussed. The choices are commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism licenses. Having a license in your hand grants you access to more than 2,100 official business activities. You enjoy strong flexibility as an entrepreneur.

Moreover, you need to plan wisely. Don’t forget to account for hidden costs like office rent, visas, and renewals. Similarly, it is important to renew on time to avoid penalties.

A DED license can be your stepping stone to stable business operations in Dubai. Team up with Connect Business Center today for the right preparation and understanding of the process. Their team is proficient in every step of the licensing process from start to finish.

FAQs

How much does a DED license cost in Dubai?

Dubai DED license cost ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 dirhams for license + basic fees. Further, a full setup with visas and premises costs 10,000 to 15,000+ dirhams.

Can I apply for a DED license online?

The entire DED license process can be performed online, from name reservation to license issuance. All steps can be completed via the official DET online portal.

How long is a DED license valid?

A DED license is valid for one year and requires annual renewal.

What documents do I need for DED license renewal?

A DED license renewal requires the following documents:

• A valid Ejari tenancy contract → if premises changed
• Shareholder info → if updated
• Visa quota forms
• A fee payment receipt.

What happens if I miss the DED license renewal deadline?

Your license becomes invalid if you miss your DED license renewal deadline. This may lead you to:

• Fines
• Visa suspension
• Legal issues or forced business closure.

How can I check my DED license status?

You can check your DED license status by using the DET’s license verification tool. It is an online tool. To view your status and activity details, enter your trade license number or trade name.