Licence (Trade Licence)

A trade licence is the official permit issued by a UAE government authority — such as the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai or a free zone authority — that authorises a business to operate legally within a specific jurisdiction and activity category.

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Types of Trade Licences

Commercial (trading), Professional (service businesses and freelancers), Industrial (manufacturing), and Tourism (travel and hospitality) licences. A business must hold the correct licence type for every activity it conducts.

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Mainland vs Free Zone Trade Licences

A mainland licence allows trading anywhere in the UAE, including with government entities. A free zone licence restricts trading within the free zone and internationally unless a mainland branch is established. Full comparison: Free Zone vs Mainland.

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Trade Licence and Tax Registration

A valid trade licence is required for VAT registration and corporate tax registration with the FTA via EmaraTax.

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How Finanshels Helps

Finanshels provides accounting and compliance services for UAE businesses of all licence types — from setup to monthly management accounts.

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