Amending your Dubai mainland activity in 2026 costs AED 600–2,500 at the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The final fee depends on licence category, number of new activities, and whether external bodies—like DHA, RERA, or DTCM—must approve your change. Notarisation and MOA updates add AED 200–600.
What Is a Dubai Mainland Activity Amendment?
An activity amendment lets you add, remove, or modify trades under your existing Dubai mainland company formation trade licence without cancelling and reapplying. The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) processes these changes. You submit a revised Memorandum of Association (MOA), notarised documents, and external approvals if your new activity touches regulated sectors.
Unsure if your new activity needs external clearance? Message DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a same-day check.
2026 Amendment Fee Structure: DED Charges & Ranges
Dubai Business Services confirms DET’s 2026 activity amendment fees fall into these bands:
| Licence Category | Single Activity Addition | Multiple Activities (2–4) | Activity Removal/Modification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional | AED 600–1,000 | AED 1,200–1,800 | AED 500–900 |
| Commercial | AED 800–1,500 | AED 1,500–2,200 | AED 700–1,200 |
| Industrial | AED 1,000–1,800 | AED 1,800–2,500 | AED 900–1,500 |
These are DET charges only. Notarisation (AED 200–400) and MOA re-drafting (AED 200–300) are additional. If external approvals are needed, budget an extra AED 0–500 depending on the sector.
External Approvals: When Your Amendment Triggers Them
Not all activity additions need external sign-off. However, the following sectors require clearances before DET approves your amendment:
- Healthcare / Medical: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) approval required
- Real Estate / Property Management: Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) licence and no-objection letter
- Tourism / Hospitality: Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) permit
- Education / Training: Ministry of Education approval (federal)
- Food / Beverage Manufacturing: Dubai Municipality and MOHRE clearance
- Security / Labour Services: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) sign-off
Determine your sector’s requirements free: email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com with your current licence and proposed activities.
Amendment vs. New Licence: Which Is Cheaper in 2026?
It’s not always an amendment. DBS helps entrepreneurs decide:
| Scenario | Amendment Cost | New Licence Cost | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add 1 new activity, no external approvals | AED 600–1,500 | AED 2,200–4,500 | Amendment (save 50–70%) |
| Change from Professional → Commercial (entire class switch) | AED 1,500–2,200 + external | AED 2,200–4,500 | New licence (simpler, no MOA conflict) |
| Add 3+ activities, all regulated (e.g. real estate + healthcare) | AED 2,000–3,000 + approvals | AED 2,200–4,500 | Depends on approval timescale; amendment if you need speed |
| Add activity to existing 15-year-old licence | AED 800–2,000 | AED 2,200–4,500 + new brand setup | Amendment (preserve track record) |
Rule of thumb: If you’re adding a related activity to the same licence class, amend. If switching licence types or sector categories, a new licence is cleaner and often faster.
Step-by-Step: How to Amend Your Dubai Licence Activity in 2026
- Confirm sector requirements: Check with DET or your representative whether external approvals (DHA, RERA, DTCM, etc.) are mandatory for your new activity.
- Prepare revised MOA: Your PRO or legal advisor updates your Memorandum of Association to reflect new activities, with exact ISIC codes. Notarisation costs AED 200–400.
- Gather approvals: If required, obtain written approvals from DHA, RERA, DTCM, MOHRE, or Dubai Municipality. This step can take 5–20 working days.
- Submit to DET: File the amended MOA, original trade licence, and external approvals (if any) at the Department of Economy and Tourism’s e-Services portal or walk-in counter.
- Pay amendment fee: Submit DET fee payment (AED 600–2,500) via bank transfer or at the counter. Processing is typically 3–7 working days.
- Collect updated licence: Once approved, collect your revised trade licence bearing the new activities and updated expiry date (usually valid to the original expiry).
Most amendments are processed within one week if approvals are pre-obtained. Bottlenecks occur when external sectors delay sign-off (healthcare and real estate can add 10–15 days).
Need a pro to handle the filing? Dubai business setup advisors at DBS handle 2026 amendments daily. Book a free consultation today.
MOA Notarisation & Legal Costs in 2026
When you amend an activity, your MOA must be formally revised and re-notarised. This is not optional—DET requires a certified, Arabic-and-English version. Costs in 2026:
- MOA re-drafting (amendment clause): AED 200–400
- Notary public notarisation (Dubai): AED 200–300 per document
- MOHRE attestation (if MOA already foreign-originated): AED 150–250
- Legal review & filing preparation: AED 300–500 (optional but recommended)
Total MOA & notarisation: AED 400–800 alongside your DET fee. DBS includes MOA updates in amendment packages to avoid surprises.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a new activity to my Dubai mainland trade licence in 2026?
Submit a revised, notarised Memorandum of Association to DET with your amended activities, external approvals (if required), and the DED amendment fee (AED 600–2,500). Processing takes 3–7 working days if approvals are ready. DBA handles the filing if you don’t want to queue at DET.
How much does a DED activity amendment cost?
DET charges AED 600–2,500 depending on licence category (Professional, Commercial, Industrial) and the number of activities added. Professional licences cost less than industrial. Notarisation and MOA updates add AED 400–800. External approvals (DHA, RERA, etc.) don’t add DET fees but can delay approval.
When does adding an activity require external approvals?
Healthcare (DHA), real estate (RERA), tourism (DTCM), education, food manufacturing (Dubai Municipality & MOHRE), and labour services (MOHRE) all require pre-amendment approvals. Other business activities (trading, consulting, IT) typically don’t. Check with DET if your sector is unclear.
Can I change my entire licence type (professional → commercial)?
Technically yes, but it’s complex—you’re effectively moving to a different licence class. Most business specialists recommend applying for a new licence instead; it’s simpler, avoids MOA conflicts, and costs only AED 400–900 more. A new licence also protects your brand registration.
Does adding an activity affect my MOA?
Yes, always. Your MOA must list all activities and their ISIC codes. Any amendment requires a revised, notarised MOA (AED 400–800). You cannot simply update DET’s records without a formal MOA change; it invalidates compliance and renewal later.
When is a new licence cheaper than an amendment?
When switching licence categories (e.g. Professional to Commercial) or when adding 3+ regulated activities needing multiple external approvals. A new licence costs AED 2,200–4,500 but avoids MOA conflicts and approval delays. Amendments beat new licences for single-activity, non-regulated additions.
What happens if DET rejects my amendment?
Rejection is rare if approvals are correct. Common reasons: incomplete MOA, missing ISIC codes, or unsigned external approvals. DET typically gives 5 working days to resubmit. If your activity is legally prohibited (e.g. gambling in UAE), the amendment will be denied; consider a different activity or new licence type.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
Need clarity on your Dubai setup? Talk to DBS Documents Clearing LLC — 80,000+ entrepreneurs served since 2009. WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free 20-minute scoping call.
