DET Services Dubai - Trade Licences for Individuals & Companies
DET Services Dubai
Instant PRO handles your Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) trade licence transactions on your behalf: issuing, renewing, amending, reserving a trade name, and cancelling a licence. We prepare the application, submit it, and follow up until completion – so you can focus on your business.
We are known for the speed with which we prepare and follow up on transactions, and we review each application before submission to reduce the likelihood of deficiency requests or delays. Government fees are paid directly by you via the official payment link issued for the transaction – they are not part of our fees – and we state Instant PRO’s fees clearly and separately before we begin.
Send us your licence or describe what you need, and we will explain the procedure, requirements, our service fee, and the applicable government fees before any payment is made.
- Fast preparation and follow-up
- Procedures handled on your behalf
- Government fees paid directly to the authority
Dubai Mainland: What Does the Department of Economy and Tourism Cover?
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) registers and licences companies operating on the Dubai mainland. Companies registered in free zones – such as DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, and others – are licensed by their respective free zone authority, not DET.
If your company is on the mainland, or you are planning to register there, these services are for you. If you are unsure which category applies to your situation, contact us and we will clarify the right path.
Services We Handle
| Service | When You Need It |
|---|---|
| Trade Licence Issuance | Starting a new business on the Dubai mainland |
| Licence Renewal | Before or after the licence expiry date |
| Licence Amendment | Changing the activity, trade name, partners, address, or other details |
| Trade Name Reservation | Before incorporation or when changing an existing name |
| Licence Cancellation | Formally closing the business and deregistering |
Issuing a New Trade Licence
No commercial activity may be conducted on the Dubai mainland before a valid licence is issued. The licence type is determined by the nature of the business – and some activities require prior approval from a sector regulator before the application is submitted. We check this in advance to avoid a rejection after fees have been paid. The service is available to residents and non-residents subject to the applicable activity, legal structure, and ownership requirements.
Renewing a Trade Licence
A trade licence must be renewed in line with its expiry date. Delays may result in administrative fines and disruption to the company’s government and banking transactions. If the licence has already expired, we review its status and any outstanding amounts or requirements shown in the system to determine the available path – whether renewal or another appropriate course of action – before any decision or payment is made.
Amending a Trade Licence
Any material change to the company’s registered details – activity, trade name, partners, or address – requires a formal amendment with DET. Leaving the register out of step with the actual position creates complications with banks and government authorities. Some amendments require additional documents or involvement of another authority depending on the nature of the change and the company’s legal structure – we identify the correct path and sequence the steps before submission.
Trade Name Reservation
Reservation secures your priority on the name for the duration of its validity while you complete the incorporation process – it is a prerequisite for the licence, not a substitute for it. The name is subject to DET’s rules on conflicts with registered names and other requirements. We carry out a preliminary review before submitting the reservation request; final approval rests with DET.
Cancelling a Trade Licence
Ceasing operations alone does not constitute formal cancellation of the licence. A licence that remains registered continues to carry its obligations until it is formally cancelled through the correct procedure. Cancellation procedures vary depending on the legal structure of the company, its status, and the files linked to it. We review the situation and identify the steps required with the relevant authorities until cancellation is formally complete.
How We Handle Your Transaction
1. Send the Licence or Describe the Transaction
Even if you are not sure of the exact service name – send a copy of the licence or describe what you need in a sentence.
2. We Review and Advise
We assess your situation, identify the correct procedure and requirements, and confirm the applicable government fees and our service fee before any payment.
3. We Prepare, Submit and Follow Up
We prepare and submit the application. You receive the official government payment link directly, and we follow up until the transaction is complete.
Why Instant PRO for DET Services Dubai?
Fast Preparation and Follow-Up
We prepare transactions quickly and follow up consistently, reviewing each application before submission to reduce the risk of deficiency requests or delays.
A Simpler Process for You
We handle the procedural steps and authority communications so you can focus on your business without tracking the details of the transaction yourself.
Handled on Your Behalf
We prepare and submit the application and follow through. Many transactions can be completed without you needing to visit the authority in person, depending on the nature of the procedure.
Clear Fees - Government Payments Direct
Instant PRO's fees are reasonable and disclosed before we start. Government fees are paid directly by you via the authority's official payment link — entirely separate from our fees.
Common Reasons Trade Licence Transactions Are Delayed
Many causes of delay can be identified before submission when the file and documents are reviewed carefully. The most common include:
- Discrepancies between the Emirates ID and the trade licence details.
- An application that requires prior approval from another authority not yet obtained.
- A proposed trade name that conflicts with a registered name or does not meet DET’s requirements.
- Outstanding amounts or an incomplete prior transaction pending in the DET system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DET cover all companies in Dubai?
No. DET licences businesses operating on the Dubai mainland. Companies registered in free zones – such as DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, and others – are licensed by their respective free zone authority.
Can the transaction be completed without visiting DET in person?
Many transactions can be completed electronically – including licence renewal, trade name reservation, and some amendments. Some procedures require a physical presence or notarised documents depending on the case, which we clarify before starting.
Can a non-resident set up a company on the Dubai mainland?
Yes, in many cases. It depends on the activity, legal structure, and applicable ownership requirements. We arrange the appropriate procedure based on your situation.
What is the difference between trade name reservation and a trade licence?
Reservation secures your priority on the name for its validity period while you complete incorporation – it is a prerequisite for the licence, not a substitute for it.
What should I do if my licence has already expired?
Send us a copy. We review its status in the DET system and outline the available options – renewal or the most appropriate course of action depending on the case – before any decision or payment.
Start with One Step
Contact us and we will confirm the procedure and costs before you begin
Whether you need to issue a licence, renew, amend, reserve a trade name, or cancel a licence - or you are not sure where to start - send us the licence or describe what you need. We will confirm the procedure, requirements, our service fee, and the applicable government fees before any payment is made.
WhatsApp: +971 56 232 7778
Office 805, Opal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Procedure identified
- Government fees and service fee confirmed upfront
- Followed up until completion