E-Trader License
The E-Trader license is a DET mainland permit for selling or promoting online from home. It needs no office or staff.
CostAED 1,070 to 1,370/yr
VisaNot included
Timeline24 to 48 hours
Best forSocial media sellers
Home Business Licens...
Home Business License in Dubai
Home Business License in Dubai
Starting a venture from home has become a practical option for many entrepreneurs in Dubai. A home business license allows individuals to legally offer approved services or sell products while working from their residence, keeping costs low and operations simple, ideal for freelancers, consultants, and online sellers.
Excellent
Work legally from your home address
Low setup and renewal costs
No need for a physical office
Suitable for digital and service-based activities
Excellent
Home Business Setup
One term, three different licenses
Most people searching for a home business license in Dubai are choosing between three options without knowing it. Each one carries a different cost, a different visa outcome, and a different set of rules.
Choosing the right home business license lowers your setup cost and secures the correct activity from day one. Choosing the wrong one leads to a rejected application or a costly restructure. This page explains all three.
Route Comparison
Which home business route fits you
Each route below is a separate, real license type in Dubai. Filter by cost, visa access, or speed to see which one matches your situation.
Not sure which one is yours?
Tell us your activity and residency status. We will point you to the route that costs least and moves fastest for your case.
Eligibility
Who can apply and what you can sell
Eligibility depends on your nationality and the activity you choose. This is where most applications go wrong, so read this part closely before you commit.
- UAE and GCC nationals can sell physical goods and offer services online
- Under E-Trader, expat residents are limited to service activities, not physical goods
- Non-GCC expat eligibility is programme-specific, so confirm it with DET before you apply
- E-Trader applicants must be 21 or older and hold Dubai residency
- The Instant License and free zone routes allow 100% foreign ownership on most activities
- Your approved activity defines exactly what you may legally sell
Pricing
What a home business license costs
Prices below are current 2026 market ranges. Your final figure depends on the activity, the route, and whether you need a visa.
E-Trader License
AED 1,070 to 1,370
The E-Trader license costs AED 1,070 to 1,370 per year for online-only selling. It carries no visa.
Instant License
AED 5,000 to 18,000
The Instant License costs AED 5,000 to 18,000. It is visa eligible and waives the office for year one.
Freelance Permit
AED 7,500 to 20,000
A freelance permit costs AED 7,500 to 20,000 in year one, including the residence visa.
What moves the price
Activity type
Some activities carry higher government fees or need extra approval.
Visa need
Adding a residence visa raises the first-year total.
Jurisdiction
Northern Emirates permits often cost less than Dubai-only ones.
Renewals
Year-two costs differ, since visa and permit renew on separate cycles.
Pricing note
All costs shown are indicative and taken from 2026 sources. Government fees change and vary by activity. RIZ & MONA Consultancy provides a personalized quote before you pay anything.
The Process
How to launch, step by step
From choosing your activity to holding a live license here is the full path in six steps.
Step 1
Confirm activity and route
We match your activity and nationality to the cheapest legal route.
Step 2
Reserve trade name
Pick a compliant name in English and Arabic and reserve it.
Step 3
Submit application
File through the DET or free zone portal with your documents.
Step 4
Pay and receive license
Settle fees and get your license, often the same day online.
Step 5
Open bank account
Set up a business account to invoice and receive payments.
Step 6
Process visa if needed
For Instant or freelance routes, complete medical and ID steps.
Banking
Opening a business bank account
A home business in Dubai needs a business bank account to invoice clients legally. With no physical office, banks review the applicant's profile closely. RIZ & MONA Consultancy prepares your file to clear that review first time.
Banks and timelines
Banks that work with home businesses
Wio BusinessDigital
Mashreq NeoBizDigital
Emirates NBDTraditional
RAKBANKTraditional
How long it takes
Digital bank2 to 3 working days
Traditional bank1 to 3 weeks
- Choosing the wrong activity can cause banks to reject incoming client payments.
- Office-less setups need a clear business profile and website to pass review.
- Banking terms and minimum balances differ by bank and can change without notice.
- Banking timelines are indicative only. RIZ & MONA Consultancy cannot guarantee any bank's decision, as approval rests with the bank.
Visas
Visa options for your home business
Whether you get a visa depends entirely on the route you pick. This is often the deciding factor.
The E-Trader license does not grant a visa. It is built for residents who already hold a valid UAE residence status. If you need residency, the Instant License or a free zone freelance permit is the route to take.
With the Instant License or a freelance permit, RIZ & MONA Consultancy handles your medical, Emirates ID, and visa stamping so the process stays smooth from start to finish.
- E-Trader: no visa attached
- Instant License: investor visa eligible
- Freelance permit: residence visa bundled
- Family sponsorship: once income rules are met
- Green Visa: 5-year self-employed option
Visa notice
Visa eligibility, quotas, and income rules are set by UAE immigration authorities and change over time. RIZ & MONA advises on your case individually.
Start Today
Ready to set up your home business in Dubai?
Tell us what you plan to sell and where you stand on residency. We will match you to the right license and send a clear, personalized quote.
Right route, first time•Transparent fixed pricing•Visa and banking support•End-to-end handling
All costs are indicative. RIZ & MONA Consultancy provides a personalized quote based on your activity and residency.