Dubai instant license has become the preferred route for anyone looking to bring their business idea to life quickly in 2025. After applying at Dubai's Department of Economic Development (DED), you can get your Dubai instant trade license as soon as five minutes.
While most businesses are eligible for an instant business license in Dubai, it may not be the most suitable option for everyone. This guide will cover everything about the application process, costs, and timelines for a Dubai instant license. Let's get started!
What Is a Dubai Instant License and How Does It Work?
A Dubai instant business license is a commercial license issued by the DED to streamline the process of starting your business in Dubai. Typically, it can take entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses several weeks to begin their company under the usual route.
The Dubai business license offers a much faster process. Here are its best features:
- No additional cost of finding and leasing the right office, until you are ready to increase your presence and investment in Dubai.
- Removes the requirement of maintaining a physical office for the first year.
- You can get your Memorandum of Association (MOA) electronically and avoid the lengthy documentation process.
- As soon as your Dubai instant license is approved, you can hire employees, open your bank account, and even start business activities.
Who Can Apply for an Instant Business License in Dubai?
A Dubai instant business license is available to:
- UAE-resident foreigners who have a visa, an Emirate ID, and a SmartPass login
- Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
- Limited Liability Company Single Owner (LLC-SO)
- Civil Companies
- Sole Establishments
Professionals and corporations requiring additional approvals or permission from any government agency are not eligible for the Dubai instant license. Additionally, if you are a corporate shareholder, you are not eligible to apply for a Dubai instant trade license.
Which Business Activities Are Allowed Under the Instant License in Dubai?
Instant license Dubai activities list includes various business activities, such as:
- General trading
- Management, marketing, and IT consulting services
- E-commerce
- Cleaning services
- Trading in non-regulated products
- Event management
- Other non-restricted commercial and professional business services
If your business activity is related to construction, healthcare, real estate, education, food, or the energy sector, you would need additional approvals and licenses. You may not be eligible to apply for a Dubai instant license.
Contact Kayrouz & Associates to see if your business activity is eligible before applying for a Dubai instant license.
How Much Does an Instant License Cost in Dubai?
The cost of an instant license in Dubai usually depends on the type of business activity, the number of partners/shareholders, and the jurisdiction of your company. Typically, you can get an instant business license in Dubai in 2025 anywhere between AED 5,000 and AED 18,000.
If you are engaged in a service-based business, the instant trade license cost in Dubai would be less, as compared to any industrial or trading business activity.
What Is Included in the Dubai Instant Trade License Package?
After spending anywhere between AED 5,000 and AED 18,000 for a Dubai instant licence, you must be thinking, "What exactly have I paid for"?
Here's what you will get in your Dubai instant trade license package:
- Commercial trade license valid for 12 months
- Trade name reservation and initial approval by the DED
- Establishment Card from GDRFA
- Virtual business address for 12 months and an establishment card from MHRE to employ and add up to three people
- Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities
- Option to open a bank account
If you are unsure whether the Dubai instant license covers everything your business needs, contact Kayrouz & Associates. With a specialised UAE legal practice, 25+ full-time lawyers, and real-world experience, Kayrouz & Associates can review your business plan and ensure your commercial goals and needs are met before applying for a Dubai instant trade license.
What Documents Are Required for Getting a Dubai Instant License?
To apply and secure your Dubai instant license in 2025, you need to have your paperwork in place. You would need:
- Copy of your unexpired passport
- UAE residence or travel visa, Emirati ID, and SmartPass account
- Passport-size photograph(s)
- Copy of sponsor's passport and Emirati ID (if applicable)
- NOC (if applicable)
- Proof of payment of license fees
- Trade name registration details
If you are applying as a foreign investor, some documents may need to be attested or notarised depending on your business type and jurisdiction.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Instant License in Dubai?
You can expect your Dubai instant trade license to be issued within 5-10 minutes of submitting your application. The final issuance of the license may take another hour in some cases.
This is significantly faster than the processing of mainland and free zone licenses, which can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days.
Can You Renew or Cancel a Dubai Instant License Easily?
Your Dubai instant license is typically valid for only one year. You can easily renew instant business licenses in Dubai after the first 12 months have been completed on the DED online portal.
To be eligible to renew your license, you must have a physical office address in a free zone or on the mainland. You can present 'Ejari' as proof of address. Other than this, you would need a complete MoA.
The cancellation process is also pretty straightforward, and you shouldn't have a problem. There is no specific cancellation process for Dubai instant licenses, and you can follow the usual DED license cancellation process by submitting the following documents at the portal or the service centers:
- Filled-out license cancellation form
- Clearance Certificate (if applicable)
- Partner's consent (if applicable)
Compliance isn't optional. Stay on top of DED rules and procedures with Kayrouz & Associates. Our multi-disciplinary approach helps our clients with the strategic foresight and strong legal support they need to operate in the changing regulatory and legal landscape in the UAE and the Middle East.
Is the Dubai Instant License the Right Option for Your Business?
The Dubai instant license is an excellent business-ease method introduced by the Dubai government. It's designed for entrepreneurs and professionals who want to test and quickly enter the market, but don't want a physical office space (at first). Dubai instant license is best for:
- Freelancers
- Management, IT, and general consultants
- E-commerce or online sellers who don't need an office space
- Startups and entrepreneurs wanting to test the market before making a bigger investment
- Service-based companies that don't need regulatory and external approvals
- Foreigners with UAE residence and SmartPass ID, looking to enter the market quickly
If you fall in any of the above categories, a Dubai instant License is the fast, cost-effective, and easy way for you to enter Dubai's market and start your business.
How Kayrouz & Associates Help Simplify Dubai Instant Trade License?
Kayrouz & Associates is a full-service Emirati law firm with over 25 senior lawyers, each with an average of 16 years of experience, operating across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Beirut. We are a trusted name in Corporate and Commercial Law and have a strong Business Formation team that advises on every step of the Dubai instant license process.
With a 96% client satisfaction rate and having solved over 570 cases, Karzouz and Associates brings legal expertise, reliability, and simplicity to help make the process of getting a Dubai instant trade license easy and without any legal risk.
Your success starts with the right guidance.
Whether it’s business or personal, our team provides the insight and guidance you need to succeed.
