General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland

General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland in UAE 2026: Cost, Steps, Timeline & Requirements

A General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland in UAE (2026) is the official permit issued under the UAE licensing framework that allows you to legally operate this activity, sponsor UAE residence visas, and open a UAE corporate bank account. Total 2026 cost typically runs AED 11,500 to AED 32,500 depending on activity, jurisdiction, office configuration, and visa count. Standard turnaround is 5 to 15 working days with Dubai Business Services (DBS), an established 20+-year UAE

Who This Licence Is For

• Founders launching this specific activity inside the UAE and wanting full UAE residence rights.
• International groups setting up a UAE branch for MENA regional operations.
• Existing UAE companies adding this as a new activity to an existing licence.
• Investors looking for a UAE-anchored vehicle with bank access and visa quota.

General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland Cost Breakdown (2026)

The figures below are the prevailing 2026 government and authority fees for General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland in UAE. Final pricing depends on chosen activity, jurisdiction, visa allocation, and office configuration. DBS confirms a fixed written quote before any payment is taken. To get pricing tailored to your structure, click the Request a Quote button on this page or WhatsApp +971543322846.

Cost Component	Indicative AED	Notes
Trade licence (year 1)	9,500 – 18,500	Annual fee paid to the licensing authority.
Registration / initial approval	1,500 – 3,500	One-off at incorporation.
Establishment card	1,500 – 2,500	Required to sponsor any UAE residence visa.
Investor visa (per visa, all-in)	3,500 – 5,500	Entry permit + status change + medical + Emirates ID + stamping.
Office / flexi-desk	Included in some packages	Smart-desk and physical-office options scale visa quota.
Annual renewal (year 2 onwards)	80–95% of year-1 licence	Plus office or flexi-desk renewal.

Step-by-Step General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland Process

1. Activity review and structuring — DBS reviews the intended General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland activity, ownership map, hiring plan, and budget, and recommends whether mainland or free-zone is the cheaper sustainable route.
2. Company name reservation — three proposed names submitted to the relevant authority; approval typically within 1–3 working days.
3. KYC and initial approval — shareholder, director, and signatory KYC pack submitted; initial approval issued within 3–7 working days.
4. Office or premises allocation — flexi-desk, smart desk, physical office, or warehouse depending on the activity inspection requirements.
5. Trade licence issuance — licence and chamber-of-commerce certificate issued once registration fee and rent are paid.
6. Establishment card and immigration file — opened with the relevant immigration desk so visas can be processed.
7. Visa stamping — investor visa first, then any employee visas: entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, and final stamping.
8. Bank account introduction — DBS prepares the bank pack and introduces the client to UAE banks active with this activity profile.

Timeline

From signed engagement to issued trade licence: typically 5 to 12 working days for free-zone routes and 2 to 3 weeks for mainland routes. Establishment card adds 3–5 working days. Each visa adds 7–14 working days. UAE bank account opening adds a further 3–8 weeks, subject to the bank’s compliance review. Realistic full timeline from kick-off to active licence, investor visa, and bank account: 4 to 10 weeks.

Documents You Need to Prepare

• Coloured passport copy for each shareholder, director, and visa applicant (minimum 6 months validity).
• Passport-size photograph with white background for each visa applicant.
• Recent utility bill, bank statement, or tenancy contract (under 3 months old) as proof of address.
• Curriculum vitae or professional profile for each shareholder and director.
• Educational certificates — attested where the specific activity requires it (engineering, healthcare, education, food).
• Three preferred company names and a brief description of the intended business activity.
• Existing UAE visa or entry stamp if the applicant is already inside the UAE.
• For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MOA, register of directors and shareholders, board resolution — all notarised and apostilled or UAE-attested.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all nationalities; standard 21+ age requirement for licence signatories.
• Minimum one shareholder; multiple shareholders permitted up to the maximum for the chosen legal form.
• Premises requirement depends on activity — flexi-desk is enough for most service activities; trading, manufacturing, and food activities require physical office or warehouse.
• Specific regulated activities (legal, accounting, healthcare, education, food, financial services) require additional regulatory approvals — DBS handles these end-to-end.
• Source of funds and ultimate beneficial ownership must satisfy UAE anti-money-laundering rules.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Choosing the cheapest licence on headline price — operators frequently quote a low base then add government fees, attestations, and visa stamping at retail markup. Insist on a fixed written quote with itemised line items.
• Picking the wrong jurisdiction for your customer location — a free-zone licence cannot directly sell to mainland UAE customers without a distributor or dual-licence. Plan the customer routing before signing.
• Under-allocating visas — visa quota is tied to the office or flexi-desk package. Switching configuration mid-term is more expensive than starting with the right one.
• Missing UAE Corporate Tax registration — all UAE entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority within set deadlines. Late registration triggers a fixed AED 10,000 penalty.
• Assuming bank account opening is automatic — UAE banks now apply enhanced due diligence. A clean source-of-funds story and a credible business model are essential, regardless of who introduced you to the bank.

How This Compares to Alternative Jurisdictions

Factor	UAE (this licence)	Dubai Mainland	Dubai Free Zone (DMCC / IFZA)
Typical year-1 cost (1 visa)	From AED 16,500	From AED 28,500	From AED 18,500
100% foreign ownership	Yes	Yes (most activities)	Yes
Direct trade with mainland UAE	Activity-dependent	Yes	Via mainland branch or dual-licence
UAE residence visa quota	Yes (office-dependent)	Yes (office-dependent)	Yes (office-dependent)
UAE Corporate Tax registration required	Yes	Yes	Yes (0% on qualifying free-zone income)
Address prestige with enterprise buyers	Strong locally	Strongest in UAE	Very strong (sector clusters)

DBS will model the side-by-side cost of General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland versus the alternative jurisdictions during the initial consultation, so the decision is based on your actual customer location, hiring plan, and capital structure rather than a generic recommendation.

Why DBS for General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland

Dubai Business Services has spent more than 20+ years navigating UAE licensing for international founders. Every DBS file is managed end-to-end by a named senior consultant who already has working relationships with the registrars, immigration officers, and bankers your application will pass through.

• 4 in-house local sponsors with clean compliance records — relevant where a UAE national service agent is still required.
• 147 active licences under management across mainland and free-zone jurisdictions, so we have live data on processing times and fee changes — not 2023 numbers.
• 99.3% on-time renewal rate — every renewal tracked in our system, so your licence never lapses and you never face fines.
• Fixed, written quotations — no mid-process upsells, no hidden government fees disguised as service charges.
• Single point of contact — same consultant from first call through visa stamping and bank-account opening.

Background and Additional Information

Are you an international entrepreneur planning to move to Dubai and start your business in one of the fastest growing global markets? Dubai offers countless opportunities when it comes to running a business. You can obtain your General Trading License in Dubai, which gives you the flexibility to combine multiple business activities in sectors such as food, electronics, furniture, clothing, fashion, Styling and Fashion Consulting, and more.. To officially register your General Trading company in Dubai, you must first obtain a General Trading License.

What is a General Trading License in Dubai?

A General Trading License allows you to import, export, sell and distribute multiple types of products under a single license. You can deal in wholesale goods, retail items and even large import and export businesses. Instead of having to obtain separate permits for different products, this single license covers many trading activities.

Why entrepreneurs choose it:

Freedom to trade a variety of products
With this license, you don’t need a separate permit for each product. A General Trading License allows you to handle retail, wholesale, import and export of a variety of goods without additional paperwork or long waiting times.

Easy access to global markets
This license is not limited to the UAE. It also allows for re-exports and international trade. Businesses can easily expand to other countries while keeping costs and regulations manageable.

High demand in Dubai
Dubai is known as a global trade and shipping hub with strong transportation connections. There are always new opportunities for buyers, suppliers, and logistics companies, which makes this license practical and profitable.

Benefits of Obtaining a General Trading License in Dubai

Obtaining a General Trading License in Dubai offers many benefits, making it a popular choice among business owners and investors.

Conduct multiple activities under one license

Instead of applying for multiple permits, this license allows you to trade a variety of products under one permit, saving both time and money.

Access to UAE and International Markets

Dubai’s strong location and logistics system make it easy to do business within the country and grow globally. It helps connect businesses with customers around the world.

Business-friendly regulations attract investors

In many cases, foreign investors can own a full business. With tax benefits and easy trading laws, the UAE provides a welcoming environment for global companies.

Build strong business trust

Having a General Trading License shows that your company is legitimate and trustworthy. It gives confidence to customers, suppliers and banks that your business is officially registered and serious.

Understanding Mainland License Cost Components

To clearly understand how much money is required for a Dubai Mainland license, let’s look at the main cost components one by one:

Initial Approval Fee

This amount is paid to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for reviewing and approving your business application. The initial approval fee usually starts at AED 2,000 and can go up to AED 5,000. The exact cost depends on the type of business you want to run and how your company is structured.

License Fee

A license fee is paid every year to keep your business active. The cost depends on the type of work your company does and its legal setup. For example, a service-based business may pay around AED 10,000, while a trading business may need to pay AED 15,000 or more.

Further Reading: Dubai Import Export Trading License Registration Cost

How much does a General Trading License cost?

The cost of a General Trading License in Dubai and the UAE depends on various factors, such as:

• The emirate where you want to set up your company
• What type of trading activities you plan to carry out
• What type of business structure you choose
• Whether you choose a free zone or a mainland setup

The estimated cost can range from AED 12,500 to AED 35,000. For mainland companies, the cost usually ranges from AED 25,000 to AED 35,000. Some free zones in other emirates may offer lower-cost options starting around AED 6,500.

There are also additional costs that can increase the total setup amount. These may include:

• A non-refundable application fee paid to the government authority, which may vary by emirate
• A trade name registration fee to legally register your company name
• Office or shop rent depending on location, size and facilities
• Other government and approval fees depending on the type of business, partners and activities
• If full foreign ownership is not permitted in your case, you may need a local sponsor, which comes with an agreed sponsorship fee
• Costs for residence visas, medical tests, Emirates ID and other immigration costs for owners or employees
• Annual renewal fees, as the license must be renewed every year
• If your business meets the revenue threshold, you may need to register for VAT, which may include administrative costs

Additional Fees and Other Costs

Depending on your business needs, you may also have to pay some additional charges, such as:

• Visa and immigration fees for foreign staff
• Fees for special approvals or permits (such as food or industrial licenses)
• Office rent or shop space costs
• Fees for trademark or brand name registration

Recommended to Read: Offshore Refined Oil Product Trading

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up a Trading License

Opening a trading business in Dubai may sound exciting, but many new business owners make small mistakes that can slow down approval or add additional costs.

Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

• Choosing the wrong business activity – The product you intend to trade should be clearly written in your license.
• Forgetting document translation and authentication – Any documents from another country must be legally approved and translated into Arabic.
• Applying through the wrong official – There are different rules for selling in the market and obtaining a visa in the mainland and free zones.
• Ignoring VAT and customs registration – This is important if you plan to import or export goods.
• Not seeking expert advice before signing an MOA or office lease – Legal papers and office location details can affect how valid your license is.

Activity: General Trading

Legal Type: Commercial – Mainland

Documents Required

Trade License Fee Breakdown

Trade License Renewal Cost

Office Options 

Company Investor, dependents and employee visas cost break-down

Investor Visa Fee

Dependent Visa Fees

Employment Visa Fee

Timeframe

Check Also: Maid Visa Cost Dubai: A Complete Guide to Sponsoring Domestic Helpers

Related Resources

• Business Setup in the UAE — full cost guide
• Dubai Mainland Company Formation 2026
• Trade Licence Dubai 2026 — cost guide
• DED eServices — full directory

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland cost in UAE in 2026?

A General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland in UAE starts from AED 11,500 with Dubai Business Services for the licence and flexi-desk, with one investor visa and a UAE bank account introduction included in the Founder Package from around AED 16,500. Final cost depends on activity, jurisdiction, office configuration, and visa count. DBS confirms a fixed written quote before any payment.

How long does General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland take to set up?

From signed engagement to issued trade licence, General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland in UAE typically takes 5 to 12 working days for free-zone routes and 2 to 3 weeks for mainland. Add a further 7 to 14 days for each residence visa and 3 to 8 weeks for UAE bank account opening, which is subject to the bank’s own compliance review.

What documents do I need to provide?

Each shareholder, director, and visa applicant provides a coloured passport copy (6+ months validity), a passport-size photograph with white background, recent proof of residential address under three months old, and any educational certificates required for the chosen activity. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents. DBS supplies a single document checklist tailored to the specific activity at the start of the engagement.

Can I have 100% foreign ownership?

Yes. Both UAE mainland (under the 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments) and all UAE free zones permit 100% foreign ownership for the overwhelming majority of activities. A small number of strategic activities still require UAE-national involvement, and DBS checks your specific activity against the current restricted list at the start of the engagement.

Will my company be subject to UAE Corporate Tax?

All UAE entities, whether mainland or free zone, are within the scope of the UAE Corporate Tax framework introduced in 2023. Qualifying free-zone income may benefit from a 0% Corporate Tax rate where the qualifying-activity and substance conditions are met. DBS handles your Corporate Tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority and annual filings under a managed-renewals package.

Will I get a UAE residence visa with this licence?

Yes. Both mainland and free-zone routes carry residence-visa quota tied to the office or flexi-desk configuration. A standard flexi-desk typically allows one to three visas; physical offices scale visa quota with floor area. DBS handles the full visa stamping process — entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, and final passport stamping — for investor and employee visas.

How do I open a UAE bank account after the licence is issued?

DBS prepares the bank-pack documentation and introduces you to two UAE banks active with this activity profile. Account approval is subject to the bank’s compliance review and is never guaranteed by any consultant — anyone promising guaranteed bank opening is not a credible operator. Realistic timeline from licence issuance to active account is three to eight weeks.

Why should I use DBS rather than a cheaper General Trading License Registration Cost Mainland consultant?

DBS is a 20+-year UAE consultancy with 147 active licences under management and a 99.3% on-time renewal rate. Every engagement is run by a named senior consultant from first call through bank account opening. Pricing is fixed and written, with no mid-process upsells. Cheaper operators frequently quote a low headline price then add government fees, attestations, and visa stamping at retail markup.