Quick answer: An LLC trade license in Dubai costs roughly AED 12,000–18,000 for the licence itself (Dubai Economy / DET fees for trade name, initial approval, the licence fee, market fees and notarisation). Once you add an office or Ejari, an establishment card and one investor visa, the realistic all-in first-year total is about AED 15,000–25,000+. Government fees are set by the authority and change without notice, so treat every figure as an approximate 2026 range.
Key takeaways
- The DET licence subtotal sits at roughly AED 12,000–18,000 — this is the number "from AED X" banners usually quote.
- The all-in cost with office, establishment card and one visa is more honestly AED 15,000–25,000+.
- Your cost splits into two parts: government/authority fees (set by DET and immigration) and a service fee charged by your consultant.
- Rent (Ejari) is the biggest variable — a flexi-desk keeps costs down; a full office pushes the total up.
- A Dubai mainland LLC gives you the whole UAE market and government contracts, which a cheaper free zone licence does not.
What is an LLC trade license in Dubai?
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) trade license in Dubai is the mainland licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that lets a company trade legally across the UAE, hire staff, and take on government and local contracts. "LLC" describes the company structure; the "trade license" is the annual permit that names your approved activities. Since the 2021 reforms, most commercial activities allow 100% foreign ownership, so you no longer need a local partner for a standard trading or services LLC.
If you are still deciding between mainland and a free zone, our guide on mainland vs free zone breaks down where each one wins.
How much does an LLC trade license cost in Dubai?
The LLC trade license cost in Dubai is roughly AED 12,000–18,000 for the licence alone, before you add an office and visas. That figure is the sum of several separate DET charges, not one flat fee — and understanding the breakdown is how you avoid paying for line items you didn't expect.
Here is the itemised government (DET) side of the cost, quoted as typical 2026 ranges:
| Component | AED (approx.) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620 – 735 | One-off DET fee to register your company name |
| Initial approval | 120 – 235 | DET pre-approval to proceed |
| Trade licence fee (DET) | 8,000 – 12,000 | The core annual licence |
| Market fees | 1,000 – 2,500 | Around 5% of your Ejari rent value |
| MoJ / MOA notarisation | 900 – 1,500 | Notarising the LLC Memorandum of Association |
| Administrative & knowledge/innovation fees | 500 – 1,000 | DET add-ons |
| Licence subtotal | 12,000 – 18,000 | Before office and visas |
These are DET fees set by the authority. They move with rule changes and with your specific activity list, so read them as approximate 2026 ranges rather than a fixed quote. For the wider picture of what it takes to start, see our breakdown of the cost of starting a business in Dubai.
Government fees vs agency fees — what's the difference?
Your total is made of two clearly separate things: government fees that DET and immigration set, and a service fee your consultancy charges to do the work. The competitors who advertise "from AED X" tend to blur these together, which is why the advertised number and the final invoice rarely match.
- Government / authority fees — trade name, initial approval, the licence fee, market fees, MOA notarisation, the establishment card and per-visa charges. Nobody controls these but the authority, and they can change without notice.
- Service / agency fee — what DBM charges to prepare documents, handle DET and immigration submissions, and manage approvals through PRO services. At DBM this is quoted per engagement and always stated separately from government fees, so you can see exactly what is a fixed cost and what you are paying us to handle.
That separation is the whole point: you should always be able to see which part of your quote is government cost and which is service. If a package hides the two inside one "all-in" number, ask for the split.
What's usually left out of an advertised "from AED X" package?
The advertised price is almost always the bare licence — the extras that make the company actually operational are quoted afterwards. Here is what typically isn't in that headline figure, shown as approximate ranges:
| Item | AED (approx.) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ejari / flexi-desk / office | 6,000 – 25,000+ | Varies by location and type; the biggest single variable |
| Establishment card (immigration / GDRFA) | 1,200 – 2,000 | Required before any visa can be issued |
| Establishment card (MOHRE labour file) | 300 – 700 | A separate card from the immigration one |
| Per investor or employee visa | 3,500 – 6,000 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and stamping |
| Emirates ID (2-year visa) | 286 | Issued with the 2-year card; no 1-year option |
| Medical insurance (basic, 2-year visa) | 1,600 – 3,000 | Mandatory for each visa holder |
Add these to the licence subtotal and the realistic Dubai mainland total with an office and one visa is AED 15,000–25,000+. That is the number to plan your budget around — not the banner. You can model your own combination on our cost calculator.
Step by step: getting your Dubai LLC trade license
The process is straightforward when the sequence is right. Here is the order DBM follows:
- Confirm your business activity and choose the correct DET activity codes — this drives your licence fee and any special approvals.
- Reserve your trade name with DET (approx. AED 600–750) and secure initial approval (approx. AED 100–250).
- Sort your office/tenancy and register the Ejari — this is required, and its rent value feeds your market fees.
- Notarise the MOA for the LLC structure at the Ministry of Justice (approx. AED 900–1,500).
- Pay the licence fee and receive your trade licence — you are now legally registered.
- Apply for the establishment card (approx. AED 1,200–2,000), the prerequisite for any visa.
- Process visas — entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID and stamping (approx. AED 3,500–6,000 per person).
Steps 5–7 are where our PRO services and visa services do the paperwork for you. The full mainland formation service is on our Dubai mainland setup page.
Documents checklist for a Dubai LLC
Have these ready before you start to avoid delays:
- Passport copies of all shareholders (and any manager)
- Passport-size photos with a plain background
- UAE visa/entry-stamp copy or Emirates ID if you're already a resident
- Proposed company name (two or three options)
- Chosen business activities
- Tenancy contract / Ejari for the registered address
- No-objection certificate (NOC) if you are on another UAE sponsor's visa
How can you keep the LLC license cost down?
The most effective saving is on premises, because rent drives both the office line and your market fees. A flexi-desk or shared workspace meets the tenancy requirement at the low end of the AED 6,000+ range instead of committing to a full office. Other levers:
- Start with fewer visas. Each visa adds roughly AED 3,500–6,000; add them as you hire, not upfront.
- Keep your activity list tight. Extra activities can raise the licence fee — list what you'll actually do.
- Compare against a free zone. If you don't need mainland market access or government contracts, a Northern Emirates free zone licence starts around AED 5,500–7,000, and a Dubai zone like IFZA or Meydan typically runs AED 12,500–15,000 (see our Dubai company setup packages).
- Budget for renewal now. The DET licence renews annually at a cost close to the original licence fee — our licence renewal service handles it before penalties apply.
Renewals are worth flagging early: an LLC trade license is an annual commitment, and late renewal triggers DET fines that can dwarf the paperwork cost.
FAQ
How much does it cost to set up an LLC trade license in Dubai?
An LLC trade license in Dubai costs about AED 12,000–18,000 for the licence portion (DET fees), and roughly AED 15,000–25,000+ all-in once you add an office, an establishment card and one investor visa. Government fees are set by the authority and can change, so treat these as approximate 2026 ranges.
What is the annual renewal cost for a Dubai LLC?
Renewal cost is close to your original DET licence fee — typically AED 8,000–12,000 for the licence, plus your Ejari renewal and any visa renewals. It recurs every year on the licence anniversary, and late renewal adds DET penalties, so renew before the expiry date to avoid extra charges.
Do I need a local partner for a Dubai mainland LLC?
No, not for most activities. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, the majority of commercial and professional activities allow 100% foreign ownership, so a standard trading or services LLC no longer needs an Emirati partner. A small list of strategic activities still requires local participation — we confirm this against your specific activity before you commit.
Is a mainland LLC more expensive than a free zone company?
Usually yes at entry level — a Northern Emirates free zone licence can start around AED 5,500–7,000, while a Dubai mainland LLC starts near AED 12,000–18,000. But mainland gives you unrestricted UAE market access and eligibility for government contracts, which free zone companies don't have without extra arrangements.
What extra costs are hidden in a "from AED X" package?
The headline price is usually the bare licence. The items most often left out are the office/Ejari (AED 6,000–25,000+), establishment card (AED 1,200–2,000), each visa (AED 3,500–6,000), Emirates ID (around AED 280–390) and medical insurance (AED 1,600–3,000). Ask for a quote that lists government fees and the service fee separately.
How long does it take to get a Dubai LLC trade license?
A straightforward Dubai LLC can be licensed in about 3–7 working days once your name and activity are approved and the office/Ejari is arranged. Visa processing adds roughly another 1–2 weeks per person for the establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
Want an itemised quote with government fees and service fees shown separately? DBM has formed 1,000+ companies over 10+ years and holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 126 reviews. Get a free, no-pressure consultation — book via our contact page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228. We'll tell you the real all-in number before you spend a dirham.