Quick answer: The cheapest general trading licence in the UAE starts at roughly AED 5,500–6,800 in a Northern Emirates free zone such as Ajman (ANC), and around AED 5,750–6,500 in SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) — licence only, no visa. A Dubai-proper zone like IFZA or Meydan for the same activity costs roughly double, from AED 12,500. If you also need a residence visa, budget AED 10,500–13,000 all-in at the cheapest zones.
Key takeaways
- The genuine UAE entry price for a general trading licence is about AED 5,500–7,000, and it is only reachable outside Dubai.
- If you only sell online, you may not need a general trading licence at all — an Ajman Free Zone e-commerce licence starts at AED 4,880.
- A Dubai address (IFZA, Meydan) costs roughly double for the same activity — from AED 12,500.
- A "from AED X" licence often excludes the establishment card, visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance — the real all-in is higher.
- Some ultra-cheap licences carry zero visa allocation, so you cannot sponsor yourself or staff.
- Government fees are set by each authority and change without notice; DBM quotes government fees and its service fee separately.
What is a general trading licence in the UAE?
A general trading licence is a permit that lets your company import, export, distribute and re-sell a wide range of unrelated goods under one activity — rather than being restricted to a single product line. It is the most flexible trade licence available, which is why it is popular with e-commerce sellers, wholesalers and import/export businesses. You can hold one on the mainland (issued by the DET) or in a free zone (issued by the relevant zone authority), and the price gap between the two is significant. For a full activity breakdown, see our trade licence guide.
Where is the cheapest general trading licence in the UAE?
The cheapest general trading licence in the UAE is in a Northern Emirates free zone — Ajman, Sharjah (SPC or SHAMS) or Ras Al Khaimah — where a licence-only package starts at roughly AED 5,500. These zones offer the same 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits as Dubai zones, but at a much lower fee, because their operating costs and address prestige are lower.
Here is the real 2026 picture, licence only (no visa):
| Zone | Licence only (AED) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman (ANC) | 5,500 – 6,800 | Tightest budgets |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | 5,750 – 6,500 | Consultants, e-commerce, small trading |
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | 5,900 – 7,000 | Media, creative, small trading |
| RAKEZ | 6,500 – 8,500 | Industrial, trading, warehousing |
| IFZA (Dubai) | 12,500 – 14,000 | Dubai address |
| Meydan (Dubai) | 12,500 – 15,000 | Premium Dubai branding |
The rule in one line: AED 5,750 is the UAE entry point, reachable only outside Dubai; AED 12,500 is the Dubai entry point. Any advertisement that shows you a AED 5,500 price next to a Dubai skyline is blurring those two — the low figure belongs to Ajman or Sharjah, not to IFZA or Meydan.
The trap: a cheap licence that cannot sponsor a visa
The most common mistake we see is buying the headline "from AED X" licence and only later discovering it comes with zero visa allocation — meaning you cannot get a residence visa for yourself, let alone employees. A licence without a visa can be perfect if you are already a resident on someone else's sponsorship, or if you only need the company to invoice and open a bank account. But if you plan to live in the UAE on your own company, that cheap number is not your real number.
The moment you add one investor visa, the picture changes:
| Zone | Licence + 1 investor visa, all-in (AED) |
|---|---|
| Ajman (ANC) | 10,500 – 12,500 |
| SPC Free Zone | 11,000 – 13,000 |
| SHAMS | 11,500 – 13,500 |
| RAKEZ | 12,000 – 14,500 |
| IFZA (Dubai) | 16,000 – 18,500 |
| Meydan (Dubai) | 17,000 – 20,000 |
"All-in" here means the licence plus establishment card, investor visa, medical test, Emirates ID and basic medical insurance. This is the number to compare across zones, because it is exactly what an advertised "from AED 5,750" banner leaves out. Our visa services page explains each of these steps in detail.
What is left out of an advertised "from AED X" package?
Almost every low headline price excludes the costs that make your company actually usable. Before you compare two quotes, confirm each of these is included — or ask what it adds:
- Establishment card — required before any visa can be issued (roughly AED 1,200–2,000).
- Investor or employee visa — medical, Emirates ID and stamping (roughly AED 3,500–6,000 on the mainland; bundled in free-zone all-in packages).
- Medical test and Emirates ID — small individually, but they add up.
- Medical insurance — mandatory to complete a visa (from AED 800 for one year).
- Office or flexi-desk — some zones bundle a flexi-desk; others charge separately.
- Visa allocation — confirm how many visas the licence supports; a zero-visa quota is the trap above.
Government and authority fees in every line above are set by the issuing authority and can change without notice. DBM's own service fee sits on top of those and is stated separately — so you always see what is a government charge and what is our fee.
Cheapest licence by route: a quick comparison
For a high-level view of every route, not just free zones:
| Route | 2026 AED |
|---|---|
| Northern Emirates free zone, no visa | 5,500 – 9,000 |
| Northern Emirates free zone, 1–2 visas | 9,000 – 14,000 |
| Dubai free zone (IFZA, Meydan) | 12,000 – 20,000 |
| Dubai mainland (DET) | 15,000 – 25,000+ |
| Offshore (RAK ICC / JAFZA) | 8,000 – 15,000 |
A Dubai mainland general trading licence gives you the widest ability to trade directly within the UAE market and take government contracts, but it is the most expensive route once you add office and one visa. An offshore company (RAK ICC or JAFZA) is cheaper for holding assets or invoicing internationally — but note it carries no residence visa at all, so it is not a route to living in the UAE.
How to get the cheapest general trading licence — step by step
Getting the lowest genuine price is mostly about choosing the right zone before you commit. Here is the process:
- Decide whether you need a visa. If yes, compare all-in prices, not licence-only prices. If no, the licence-only column is your real number.
- Pick the emirate. For the lowest cost, choose Ajman (ANC) or SPC Free Zone. Choose Dubai only if you specifically need a Dubai address.
- Reserve your trade name and confirm "general trading" is permitted under your chosen package (some cheap packages cap the number of activities).
- Submit documents — passport copy, photo, and application form; corporate shareholders add extra papers.
- Pay and receive the licence — most Northern Emirates zones issue within a few working days.
- Apply for the establishment card and visa if needed, then complete medical, Emirates ID and insurance.
Documents checklist
For an individual shareholder applying for a general trading licence, you will typically need:
- Passport copy (valid at least 6 months)
- Passport-size photograph (white background)
- UAE entry stamp or visa page, if already in the country
- Proposed trade name (two or three options)
- Completed application form from the zone
- For a resident: NOC may be requested depending on your current visa status
Corporate shareholders add a board resolution, attested incorporation certificate and a memorandum — DBM's PRO team handles the attestation.
Want a figure tailored to your activity and visa count before you talk to anyone? Try our cost calculator.
FAQ
How much does the cheapest general trading licence in the UAE cost?
The cheapest general trading licence in the UAE costs roughly AED 5,500–6,800 in Ajman (ANC) or AED 5,750–6,500 in SPC Free Zone, licence only with no visa. Add one investor visa and the all-in figure rises to about AED 10,500–13,000. Government fees are set by the authority and change without notice.
Is the cheapest licence in Dubai or another emirate?
The cheapest general trading licence is in a Northern Emirates free zone — Ajman, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah — not Dubai. A Dubai-proper zone such as IFZA or Meydan starts at about AED 12,500 for the same activity, roughly double the Northern Emirates entry price, because of the Dubai address and higher operating costs.
Can I get a UAE residence visa with a cheap general trading licence?
Not always. Many ultra-cheap "from AED 5,750" licences come with zero visa allocation, meaning you cannot sponsor a residence visa for yourself or staff. If you plan to live in the UAE on your own company, choose a package with at least one visa quota and compare the all-in price of roughly AED 10,500–13,000.
What is the difference between a free zone and mainland general trading licence?
A free-zone general trading licence gives 100% foreign ownership and lower cost but trades primarily internationally or within the zone; a Dubai mainland (DET) licence lets you trade directly across the UAE market and bid for government work. Mainland costs more — roughly AED 15,000–25,000+ all-in — but offers the widest local reach.
What does "all-in" cost actually include?
"All-in" means the licence plus the establishment card, one investor visa, medical test, Emirates ID and basic medical insurance — everything needed to have a working company and a resident shareholder. It is the number to compare between zones, because a "from AED X" banner usually shows only the bare licence fee and omits these items.
Does a cheap offshore company let me live in the UAE?
No. An offshore company such as RAK ICC or JAFZA (roughly AED 8,000–15,000) is designed for holding assets or invoicing internationally and carries no residence visa at all. If UAE residence is your goal, you need a free-zone or mainland licence with a visa allocation, not an offshore structure.
Get your exact number, not a headline. DBM is a Dubai business-setup consultancy with 10+ years' experience and 1,000+ companies formed, rated 4.9 stars across 126 Google reviews. We will separate the government fees from our service fee so you know exactly what you are paying for. Book a free consultation or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228 and we will match you to the cheapest genuine licence for your activity and visa needs.