General Trading License Cost in Dubai: Updated Fees & Requirements

About the Author

Written by a UAE business setup and compliance advisor with over a decade of experience supporting startups, SMEs, and foreign investors across the Dubai mainland and major free zones. The author has advised hundreds of trading businesses on licensing, immigration, VAT, and renewal strategy, and works closely with government authorities and banking partners.

Key Takeaway:

• The true cost of a general trading license in Dubai goes beyond the initial fee and includes expenses such as office rent, visas, renewals, and ongoing compliance requirements.
  
  
• Choosing between a mainland and a free zone setup significantly affects both the overall cost and the flexibility to trade within the UAE market.
  
  
• A general trading license may be more expensive upfront, but it offers long-term value by allowing multiple product categories under one license, reducing the need for costly upgrades later.

Why “How Much Does it Really Cost?” Matters More than Ever

After years of advising businesses in the UAE, we can confidently say this: most problems with business setup don’t come from approvals, they come from misunderstood costs.

Almost every week, we meet investors who were quoted one number online, budgeted another, and then discovered extra expenses halfway through the process. The first question they ask isn’t about timelines or paperwork. It’s always the same:

“What is the actual general trading license cost in Dubai?”

This article answers that question properly, without vague estimates or marketing numbers. We’ll walk you through updated fees, real cost ranges, requirements, and long-term considerations, using professional insights from years of hands-on experience working with mainland and free zone authorities, immigration offices, and compliance teams.

What a General Trading License Really Allows You to Do

There are over 1.5 million issued trade licenses in the UAE, and a big contributor to this number is the general trading license, as it allows a business to trade multiple, unrelated product categories under one license. This could include electronics, garments, household goods, building materials, consumer products, or packaged food items that don’t require special approvals.

This flexibility is the main reason general trading licenses dubai are more expensive than single-activity commercial licenses, and also why they’re often a better value in the long run.

Based on our experience, we’ve seen many businesses start with a limited trading license to save money, only to upgrade within a year. That upgrade often costs more than choosing a general trading license from the beginning.

If your business model involves any of the following, then a general trading license is usually the right choice.

‍

Mainland vs Free Zone: Where the Cost Difference Begins

One of the biggest factors affecting the general trading license cost in Dubai is where the company is established.

Mainland General Trading License

A mainland license dubai allows you to trade directly anywhere in the UAE, work with government and semi-government entities, and open retail or warehouse operations without location limits

Typical cost range starts from AED 28,000 to AED 45,000 ($7,600 to $12,300) per year, which includes licensing fees, approvals, and mandatory office requirements.

Free Zone General Trading License

Free zones are popular for import/export businesses, international trading, and online and offshore-focused models.

Typical cost range starts from AED 18,000 to AED 35,000 ($4,900 to $9,500) per year. However, free zone companies cannot trade directly in the UAE mainland without additional arrangements.

• Expert insight: Free zones work best for businesses that already understand their supply chain. Mainland setups suit businesses planning local sales from day one.

General Trading License Cost in Dubai: Detailed Fee Breakdown

To understand the real cost, it helps to break it into clear categories rather than focusing on a single headline number.

Government Fees

These are mandatory and typically include trade name approval, initial approval, license issuance, activity approval charges, and Chamber of Commerce membership. 

These fees are governed by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism for mainland companies and the respective free zone authorities.

While no single fee is unusually high, together they make up a large portion of the setup cost.

Office Space, Ejari & Physical Presence Requirements

For mainland general trading licenses, a physical office and Ejari enrollment are mandatory.

Typical costs:

Office rent: AED 12,000–25,000 ($3,300 to $6,800) annually (small office)

Ejari & municipality fees: AED 1,000–2,000 ($270 to $540)

Free zones often offer flexi-desk or shared office options, which reduce upfront cost but limit the number of visas.

• Expert experience: A wholesale trader opted for the smallest possible office to reduce rent. Six months later, the business needed to hire staff, requiring an office upgrade and Ejari amendment, resulting in unexpected mid-year expenses.

Visas, Immigration & Establishment Cards

A general trading company typically requires:

Budgeting AED 3,500 to AED 6,000 ($950 to $1,630) per visa is realistic, depending on category and processing speed. From a compliance standpoint, visa planning should be done before finalizing office size. This prevents common delays that impact banking and supplier onboarding.

Hidden Costs and Long-Term Financial Commitments

This is where trust really matters. Many investors focus only on the year-one setup, but the real general trading license cost in Dubai is spread over time.

Common ongoing or overlooked expenses include:

• Annual license renewal

• Office rent increases

• Visa renewals

• Accounting and bookkeeping

• VAT enrollment and filings (if applicable)

• Bank compliance documentation

None of these are unreasonable, but they should be anticipated.

One pattern we’ve consistently seen over the years is businesses rushing into the cheapest option without asking what renewal will look like. That’s where frustration begins.

Requirements for Foreign Investors

Foreign investors can own 100% of a general trading company in most cases after the UAE changed its company ownership laws in 2021. Standard documentation includes:

• Passport copies

• Entry stamp or visa page

• Passport-size photographs

• Business activity description

Corporate shareholders or regulated activities may require additional documents. Delays usually happen not because approvals are difficult, but because documents weren’t prepared correctly the first time.

Renewal Costs and Planning Beyond Year One

License renewal costs are generally similar to the initial year, excluding one-time approvals. Expected annual renewal range starts from AED 20,000 to AED 40,000 ($5,450 to $10,900).

Office rent, visas, and compliance costs continue yearly, which is why planning for at least 3–5 years is essential when assessing the general trading license cost in Dubai.

Is a General Trading License Worth the Cost?

Based on real-world outcomes, not theory, the answer is yes, when chosen for the right reasons. Dubai offers:

• Efficient trade infrastructure

• Global connectivity

• Regulatory clarity

• Long-term business stability

The license itself isn’t expensive, it’s the lack of planning that causes unnecessary costs. When clients approach setup with a clear activity scope, proper budgeting, and realistic growth plans, general trading licenses consistently prove to be one of the most flexible and scalable options in the UAE.

General Trading License Cost in Dubai with RadiantBiz

When you apply for a general trading license in Dubai with RadiantBiz, our specialists guide you through the process with a clear focus on cost clarity, compliance, and long-term viability.

We begin with a personalised assessment of your trading activities, product scope, ownership structure, and expansion plans. This allows us to determine whether a mainland general trading license is the right fit or a free zone general trading license.

We then map out a realistic budget, covering license fees, Ejari and office requirements, visa allocations, and other mandatory government costs that directly impact the general trading license cost in Dubai.

Our team manages the entire documentation and approval process, liaising directly with Dubai authorities on your behalf. This helps clients avoid common (and costly) mistakes such as selecting the wrong trading activities, underestimating office and visa-related expenses, or facing delays during renewal due to missed compliance steps.

Beyond licensing, we provide practical guidance on office sizing, visa planning, and banking readiness, ensuring your general trading business is not just licensed, but fully operational and compliant from day one. 

FAQs

1. What is the average general trading license cost in Dubai?

Based on current setups, most businesses spend between AED 18,000 and AED 45,000 ($4,900 and $12,260) annually, depending on mainland or free zone jurisdiction, office requirements, and visa allocation.

2. Can one general trading license cover multiple products?

Yes. A general trading license allows trading across multiple, unrelated product categories under one license, making it ideal for diversified trading businesses.

3. Is a physical office mandatory?

For mainland companies, yes. Free zones may offer flexi-desk options, but visa eligibility is linked to office allocation.

Make Cost Decisions with Clarity, Not Guesswork

After more than a decade in this field, one thing remains constant: businesses that plan properly rarely face surprises. 

The general trading license cost in Dubai should never be judged by a single number on a website. It should be assessed based on the trading scope, location choice, visa needs, and long-term operating costs.

If you’re serious about trading, locally or internationally, getting the license right from day one saves money, time, and compliance headaches later. Before committing, always request a complete cost breakdown aligned with your business plan. The right setup is the one that still works three years from now.

Seek our professional on-the-ground guidance, contact us via mail at info@radiantbiz.com, WhatsApp‬, or call us at +971521322895‬!