Dubai Trade Licence Amendment 2026: The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) charges AED 600–1,200 for standard amendments, plus notary (AED 150–400). Amendment suits activity or shareholder changes; new licence costs AED 1,500–3,000 but needed for legal form changes.
What Is a Dubai Trade Licence Amendment?
A trade licence amendment is a modification to your existing DET-issued document without cancelling and reissuing it. Common amendments include adding activities, changing trade names, updating shareholder details, or modifying business locations. This is distinct from a full Dubai mainland company formation process. Amendments preserve your original licence number and registration date, protecting supplier contracts and reputation. Not all changes qualify as amendments—legal form changes (e.g., sole proprietor to LLC) typically require a new licence altogether.
Still unsure if you need an amendment or new licence? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a 10-minute clarity call.
DED Amendment Fee Schedule 2026
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) publishes tiered fees based on amendment type:
| Amendment Type | DED Fee Range (AED) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Activity addition/removal | 600–1,000 | 5–7 working days |
| Trade name change | 700–1,200 | 7–10 working days |
| Shareholder/partner changes (no legal form shift) | 800–1,500 | 10–14 working days |
| Location change (same emirate) | 500–900 | 5–7 working days |
| Sponsor/manager update | 600–1,100 | 7–10 working days |
Fees vary by business structure (sole proprietor vs. LLC) and free-zone vs. mainland designation. Always request a formal quotation from DET or a licensed consultancy to confirm exact costs for your scenario.
Hidden Costs: Notary and External Approvals
Beyond DED fees, anticipate notary public certification (DED-approved notaries charge AED 150–400 per document). If your amendment involves regulated sectors—food and beverage, healthcare, education, or import/export—you’ll need Dubai Municipality (DM), MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation), or sector-specific authority pre-approval. Each adds AED 300–800 and 5–15 extra days. Professional services (via Dubai Business Services) to coordinate these approvals typically run AED 1,200–2,500 all-in. Budget total timeline: 15–30 days for a straightforward activity amendment; 30–45 days if external approvals are required.
Get a transparent, itemised quote in 24 hours. Contact inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com with your current licence copy.
Amendment vs. New Licence: Cost & Time Comparison
Choosing amendment versus cancellation and reissue hinges on the change type and cost-benefit:
| Scenario | Best Path | Cost Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Adding a new activity (e.g., import + retail) | Amendment | Amendment: AED 600–1,000 vs. new licence: AED 1,500–3,000 |
| Changing trade name only | Amendment | Amendment: AED 700–1,200 vs. new licence: AED 1,500–3,000 |
| Shifting from sole proprietor to LLC | New Licence | DET requires new licence for legal form change; amendment not permitted |
| Adding shareholder with no legal form change | Amendment | Amendment: AED 800–1,500 vs. new licence: AED 2,000–3,500 |
| Moving branch to another emirate | New Licence | Each emirate requires separate DET registration |
If you’re nearing licence renewal (within 12 months), bundling amendments with renewal can reduce overall outlay and consolidate paperwork.
Trade Name vs. Legal Form vs. Activity Amendments: What’s Allowed?
DET distinguishes three categories; not all are amenable to amendment:
Trade Name Amendment: Changing your business’s trading alias (e.g., “Dubai Tech Solutions” to “Dubai Tech & Digital”). Allowed via amendment; costs AED 700–1,200. No external approvals needed unless the name falls under reserved terms (medical, legal, engineering).
Legal Form Amendment: Shifting ownership structure—sole proprietor to partnership, partnership to LLC, or adding limited partners. Not permitted as amendment. Requires full cancellation and new DET registration (AED 1,500–3,000). MOHRE pre-approval required for labour-related implications.
Activity Amendment: Expanding or narrowing your classified business activities. Example: a “General Trading” licence adding “Wholesale Furniture.” Most amendments fall here. Costs AED 600–1,000; some sectors (F&B, real estate) need external nod. Our Dubai business setup team coordinates all touchpoints to avoid delays.
Timeline and Authority Bottlenecks in 2026
Standard amendment processing: 5–7 days (DET only). Bottleneck factors:
- Sector-specific approval: Food permits (Dubai Municipality): +3–7 days. Real estate (RERA): +5–10 days. Labour roles (MOHRE): +7–14 days.
- Notary delays: DED-approved notaries typically complete in 1–2 days; peak periods can stretch to 5 days.
- Incomplete documentation: Missing company secretary resolution or wrong shareholder signatures add 10–20 days.
- DET queue: Summer months (May–August) see longer processing windows.
Pro tip: Submit amendments via an approved consultancy (like Dubai Business Services DBS Documents Clearing LLC) to bypass common errors and expedite review. Typical end-to-end: 15–20 days for straightforward cases.
Shareholder and Sponsor Changes: Amendment or New Licence?
Adding or removing a shareholder—without changing the legal form (e.g., still an LLC)—qualifies as an amendment. Cost: AED 800–1,500. Requires updated company resolution, amended Articles of Association, and MOHRE notification for labour visa implications. If you’re converting a sole proprietor’s business to add a partner (changing legal form to partnership or LLC), you must cancel and reissue the licence (AED 1,500–3,000). Similarly, adding a sponsor to a foreign investor’s setup typically mandates a new licence unless the current licence explicitly allows sponsor changes—rare. DET’s stance (2026): shareholder amendments are fastest and cheapest if legal structure stays static.
Frequently asked questions
When should I amend my Dubai trade licence vs. cancel and re-issue?
Amend if you’re changing activity, trade name, shareholder (same legal form), or location within the same emirate. Costs AED 600–1,500. Reissue (AED 1,500–3,000) if you’re shifting legal structure (sole proprietor → LLC), moving to a different emirate, or adding reserved-activity classifications. Amendments preserve your original registration date and licence number, protecting contracts and credit history.
What does DED charge for an amendment in 2026?
DET charges AED 600–1,200 for standard amendments (activity, trade name, location, sponsor). Shareholder changes cost AED 800–1,500. Fees vary by business size, sector, and free-zone vs. mainland. Add AED 150–400 for notary certification. Request a formal quote from DET or an approved consultancy like Dubai Business Services to confirm exact costs for your change.
Does adding a shareholder require a new licence?
No, adding a shareholder to an existing LLC without changing legal form is an amendment (AED 800–1,500). You’ll need an updated company resolution and amended Articles of Association. If you’re converting a sole proprietor’s business into a partnership or multi-member LLC, that’s a new licence (AED 1,500–3,000). MOHRE approval is required for labour visa impact in both cases.
How long does an amendment take in 2026?
Standard timeline: 5–7 days (DET only). With notary certification: 7–10 days. If external approvals are needed (Dubai Municipality, MOHRE, RERA), add 5–15 days. Incomplete documentation or peak seasons (summer) can extend processing to 20–30 days. Using an approved consultancy reduces errors and typically achieves 15–20 days end-to-end.
Are external approvals required for an amendment?
Yes, if your business is in a regulated sector. Food and beverage (F&B) amendments need Dubai Municipality approval (+3–7 days, AED 300–500). Real estate agents need RERA clearance (+5–10 days, AED 500–800). Labour-heavy businesses require MOHRE sign-off (+7–14 days, AED 400–600). General trading and IT amendments rarely need external approvals. Always check with DET before filing.
Can I amend my licence’s trade name and legal form together?
No. Trade name amendments cost AED 700–1,200 and are processed as amendments. Legal form changes (sole proprietor to LLC) require full cancellation and reissue (AED 1,500–3,000 new licence fee). You cannot bundle them. If you need both, apply for the legal form change first (triggering a new licence), then amend the trade name within that new licence if needed.
What documents do I need to submit for a Dubai trade licence amendment?
Minimum: original licence copy, amendment application form (DET Form), written request signed by all owners/managers, updated company resolution (for LLCs), notarised copies of new/updated documents (e.g., partnership agreement, shareholder list). If activity involves regulated sectors, add sector authority pre-approvals. Dubai Business Services prepares and submits on your behalf; WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 to upload documents securely.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
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