Mainland (DET)
- Existing trade licence copy
- Valid Ejari, 1+ month left
- Tenancy contract and lease
- Passport and Emirates ID of owner
Trade License Renewal in Dubai
Dubai trade license renewal comes due every year. Miss it and you risk fines, blocked visas, and a frozen bank account. Riz & Mona renews on time across mainland and every free zone.
Excellent
Mainland & All Free Zones
Renewal in 1 to 7 Days
Expiry Tracking Built In
Excellent
Overview
What Is Trade License Renewal
A Dubai trade license is valid for one year. Renewal is the annual process of extending your legal right to trade, required for every mainland and free zone company before the expiry date on the license.
Missing it is not a small slip. An expired license blocks visa renewals and other government services, can freeze your corporate bank account, and adds penalties that grow each month it stays lapsed.
Riz & Mona handles the full process of trade license renewal. We track your expiry date, clear the blockers that stall renewals, and file with the right authority so your company never loses good standing.
Cost
How Much Does Trade License Renewal Cost
Renewal cost depends on your jurisdiction, business activities, and approvals. Most trade licenses fall within these ranges in 2026.
Mainland (DET)
AED 8,000 to 15,000
Department of Economy and Tourism renewal, including license, knowledge, and innovation fees.
Free Zone
AED 6,000 to 20,000
Renewal through your free zone authority. Range varies widely by zone and package.
With Approvals
Custom
Regulated activities needing external approvals or extra documents cost more at renewal.
What Changes Your Cost
Jurisdiction
Mainland and each free zone set their own fee structure and packages.
Number of Activities
More business activities on the license raise the trade license renewal fee.
Ejari and Lease
Mainland renewal needs a valid Ejari, and lease renewal adds cost.
Establishment Card
Establishment card and external approvals are billed on top of the base fee.
Pricing Disclaimer
All prices shown are indicative and exclude government fees, which are billed separately. Actual cost depends on your jurisdiction, activities, and approvals. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote for every renewal.
How to Renew
How to Renew a Trade License
A simple guide to trade license renewal, from expiry notice to a renewed license in your hands.
Step 1
Check Expiry & Ejari
We check your license number, confirm the expiry, and make sure your Ejari or lease has enough validity left.
Step 2
Gather Documents
We collect your trade licence, lease, and any approval papers and check each one before filing.
Step 3
Settle Approvals
Where your activity needs external approval, we secure it before the renewal application is submitted.
Step 4
Submit & Pay
We file with DET or your free zone portal and handle the fee payment on your behalf.
Step 5
Receive License
Your renewed trade license is issued, usually within 1 to 7 working days, and sent to you.
Documents
Documents Required for Trade License Renewal
Renewal requirements vary by jurisdiction, but most trade licenses need these. Missing or expired papers are the top reason renewals stall.
Free Zone
- Current license copy
- Lease or flexi-desk proof
- Shareholder passport copies
- Establishment card details
Supporting
- External approval certificates
- Updated MOA or trade name if changed
- Chamber of commerce papers
- Cleared outstanding fines
Penalties
What Happens If Your Trade License Expires
Expired trade licenses cost far more than the renewal fee. Here is what builds up and how the risk grows over time.
On the mainland, DET fines are often cited at around AED 250 per month once a license lapses. Some free zones offer a short grace window, but the safe route is to renew your trade license on time.
The bigger cost is the knock-on effect. A lapsed license blocks visa renewals, which can leave staff on overstay fines that become your liability as sponsor, and banks may freeze the corporate account.
How long the business license has been expired changes the fix. The earlier you act, the simpler and cheaper the renewal stays.
- Penalties from about AED 250/month
- Late renewal fines add up monthly
- Visa renewals blocked
- Staff overstay fines become yours
- Corporate bank account may freeze
- Long delays risk cancellation
Expiry Tiers
Under 3 months: standard renewal plus late fee. 3 to 6 months: possible inspection. 6 to 12 months: near re-application. 12+ months: risk of cancellation.
Where to Renew
Mainland vs Free Zone Trade License Renewal
The one split that shapes the trade license renewal process is which authority you file through. It changes the portal, the documents, and the timeline.
01
Dubai Mainland Companies
Department of Economy and Tourism
Online renewal runs via the DET portal or Dubai Now. Needs a valid Ejari with 1+ month left. Usually 1 to 7 days.
02
Free Zone Companies
Your Free Zone Authority
Trade licenses renew through your zone portal such as DMCC or JAFZA. No Ejari, but lease or flexi-desk proof applies.
Renew Today
Renew Your Trade License in Dubai Before It Lapses
Send us your license details and we will check the expiry, clear any blockers, and renew it across mainland or any free zone, so your business in Dubai keeps trading without the stress.
Mainland and free zone•Renewal in 1 to 7 days•Blockers cleared for you•Expiry tracked every year
All fees are indicative and exclude government charges. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote for your renewal.