Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is a leading investment destination and global business hub. In this article, we will explore the process of opening a commercial registration and business license in Dubai with Itqan.
Itqan Company provides full support and specialized services to investors who wish to establish their businesses in Dubai. The process begins by determining the desired type of business activity and preparing the required documents. After that, the application is submitted and the legal and regulatory procedures are dealt with.
It is also important to consider the type of business license required, whether it is a general trade license, a free trade license, or a professional trade license. Terms and requirements vary according to each type.
With Itqan Company, you can rely on their experience to guide you through this complex process. The company will help you provide professional and legal advice and provide support in implementing the procedures for opening the commercial register and obtaining your business license in Dubai.

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ToggleBasic steps to open a commercial register in Dubai
Here are the basic steps to open a commercial register in Dubai :
- Determine the type of business activity: You must first determine the type of business activity you wish to practice, as there is a diverse list of activities permitted in Dubai.
- Choosing a company name: You must choose a unique and appropriate name for the company, that complies with local laws and can be easily registered.
- Obtaining a company license: You must obtain a license from the local authorities in Dubai that reflects the type of business activity you wish to practice.
- Preparing the required documents: Opening a commercial register in Dubai requires preparing a set of documents, such as the company license application form, a copy of the passport, a personal photo, a copy of the rental contract for the work site, and others.
- Submitting a license application: After preparing the required documents, an application to obtain a company license must be submitted to the relevant authorities in Dubai.
- Obtaining the necessary approvals: After submitting the application, you must wait to obtain the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in Dubai before completing the establishment procedures.
- Signing agreements and paying fees: Once approvals are obtained, the necessary agreements must be signed and the required fees must be paid to complete the process of opening the commercial register.
- Company registration: After completing all procedures and paying the fees, the company will be officially registered and the commercial register will be issued.
Documents required to open a commercial register in Dubai
To open a commercial register in Dubai , you will usually need to prepare a set of documents. Here is a list of documents generally required, but you should always check the exact requirements of the relevant regulator:
- Company license application form: This form is the official application for obtaining a company license, and contains information about the founders and details of the business activity.
- Copy of passport: A copy of the passport is provided to each founder or partner in the company.
- Personal photo: Provide a recent personal photo of each founder or partner in the company.
- Copy of the lease contract: A copy of the lease contract must be submitted to the address where the company will be registered.
- A copy of the municipal license: If the company’s activities require a license from the municipality, a copy of this license must be submitted.
- Authorization form for directors (if necessary): If there are directors authorized to run the company, you may need to submit an authorization form proving their authority.
- Use Consent Form: In some cases, you may need a form proving the owner’s consent to use the space to register the business.

Opening a commercial register
Expected fees for opening a commercial register
The expected fees for opening a commercial register in Dubai consist of several elements and change depending on the type of company, business activity, and legal and regulatory requirements. Here is a list of possible fees that may be part of the process of opening a commercial registration in Dubai:
- Registration fees: These include fees paid to the relevant regulatory body to register the company and open a commercial register. These fees vary depending on the type of company and business activity.
- Legal consultation fees: You may need to consult a lawyer or legal advisor to help you prepare the documents and legal procedures necessary to open a commercial register. The cost of legal consultations varies depending on the lawyer and the size of the work.
- Other government services fees: Some additional government services may require additional fees such as municipal consultation, advertising license or building permits if needed.
- Special license fees: There may be fees for obtaining licenses specific to business activity, such as an environmental license or a health and safety license, and the size of these fees changes depending on the activity.
- Chamber of Commerce registration fees: Some chambers of commerce may require payment of fees to register the company and provide administrative services related to opening a commercial register.
- Visa and residency fees: If you require visas and residency for foreign employees, you may need to pay additional fees for immigration and work arrangements.
- Financial Services Fees: There may be fees for accounting, auditing, and other financial services you may need to manage the company’s financial matters.
Types of business licenses available in Dubai
Here is a table showing the types of business licenses available in Dubai :
Type of license | the description |
---|---|
Business license | It allows companies to engage in general commercial activities related to buying, selling and trading in various goods and services. |
Professional license | Issued to individuals who specialize in a particular field, such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and accountants. It allows the practice of the professional activity specified in the license only. |
Free business license | It is issued to individuals or small and medium-sized companies, and allows commercial activities to be carried out freely without the need for a local partner. |
Hotel license | It is issued to hotels, tourist facilities, restaurants and cafes. It allows the provision of hotel, accommodation, entertainment and commercial services to visitors and residents. |
Industrial license | Issued to companies active in the industrial and manufacturing sector. It allows the industrial production and manufacture of various goods, products and merchandise, and their distribution and export. |
E-commerce license | It allows companies to conduct business activities via the Internet, e-commerce, and sell products and services through websites and smart applications. |
How to change the company’s activity after obtaining the license
If you would like to change your company’s activity after obtaining the license in Dubai, you can follow the following steps:
- Consult a lawyer or legal advisor: Before embarking on the process of changing the company’s activity, it is preferable to consult a lawyer specialized in corporate laws in Dubai to obtain legal advice about the procedures and obligations resulting from changing the activity.
- Submit a request for change: An official request must be submitted to the competent regulatory authority in Dubai to change the company’s activity. You may need to fill out a specific application form and submit it along with the required documents.
- Submitting the required documents: The process of changing the activity may require submitting some additional documents, such as amendments to the company’s internal contracts, updates to the founders’ documents, etc.
- Waiting for Approval: After submitting the application and documents, you have to wait to obtain the approval of the relevant regulatory authority in Dubai. This may require some time depending on the volume of requests and the workload of the regulator.
- Updating the commercial registry: Once approval is obtained, the company registry will be updated to reflect new changes in activity.
- Updating other licenses and permits: Changes in activity may require updating licenses and other permits held by the company to comply with local legislation and regulations.
- Notifying other parties: Other parties must be notified, such as banks, customers, suppliers, and any other parties that may be affected by the change in the company’s activity.

Commercial license in Dubai
Tips for obtaining a business license in Dubai
Here are some tips for submitting a successful application for a business license in Dubai :
- Research and advance planning: Conduct the necessary research about the type of business you want to engage in and determine the target market and competition. Prepare a feasibility study to evaluate the chances of success and forecast expected costs and revenues.
- Choosing the appropriate type for the company: Determine the type of commercial license appropriate for your activity, whether it is a general, professional, free, or other commercial license. Choose the type that best suits your business plans, operational and legal needs.
- Prepare the required documents carefully: Prepare all required documents carefully, and ensure that they are complete and comply with legal requirements. Documents may include a passport, a personal photo, a license application form, a lease contract for the commercial site, and others.
- Legal advice: It is preferable to obtain legal advice from a lawyer specialized in business laws in Dubai to ensure that the application complies with local legislation and regulations, and to provide advice on the best steps to submit the application successfully.
- Preparing for the personal interview: In some cases, you may have to undergo a personal interview with the regulator or the Chamber of Commerce. Be prepared to answer questions about your business plans and your abilities to run the company.
- Meeting Deadlines: Make sure you submit your application on time and meet all deadlines. Delay in submitting the application or non-compliance with deadlines may delay obtaining a commercial license.
- Seeking the assistance of experts and consultants: It may be useful to seek the assistance of experts and consultants who have experience in submitting applications for commercial licenses in Dubai, in order to ensure the quality of the application and increase the chances of its success.
At the conclusion of this article, it is clear that opening a commercial register and obtaining a business license in Dubai are crucial steps to establishing a successful business in the Emirate of Dubai. In cooperation with Itqan Company, investors can benefit from comprehensive experience and knowledge to facilitate this process.
Itqan Company provides full support and professional advice in preparing the required legal and regulatory documents and procedures. Whether you are looking for a general, free, or professional trade license, the specialized team at Itqan Company helps you choose the appropriate type and deal with the legal requirements.
Thanks to their extensive experience in the local market, Itqan provides support in all aspects of the process including registration, permits and necessary licenses. The work team at Itqan Company seeks to provide a smooth and easy experience for investors who aim to establish their businesses in Dubai .
The most important frequently asked questions about opening a commercial register and business license in Dubai
What is the difference between a commercial register and a commercial license?
A commercial registry is the registration of a company in the official commercial registry, while a commercial license gives a company permission to engage in commercial activity.
What are the basic steps to open a commercial register in Dubai?
The steps include defining the company’s activity, choosing the legal form, determining the trade name, and submitting the required documents to the Department of Economic Development.
What documents are required to open a commercial register in Dubai?
Documentation varies depending on the type of company and legal form, but usually includes a passport, a copy of the social contract (if applicable), a corporate regulatory authority (MOA) letter, and a commercial registry application form.
What is the expected cost of opening a commercial registry in Dubai?
Costs change depending on the type of company and legal requirements, and include registration fees, administrative services and license fees.
How long does it take to open a commercial register in Dubai?
The duration of issuance of the commercial register can vary depending on the speed of completion of the required documents and the processing procedures taken by the Department of Economic Development.
Can I change the company’s activity after opening the commercial register?
Yes, it is possible to change the company’s activity after obtaining the commercial register, but this requires additional procedures such as amending the social contract and updating the commercial license.