For individuals and companies holding mainland Dubai trade licences issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism
Trade License Amendment in Dubai
Trade License Amendment in Dubai involves updating your business details and securing the necessary approvals from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Changes may concern your business activities, trade name, partners, manager, premises or share capital. The procedures and documents depend on the amendment and your company’s legal form.
Instant PRO helps review your trade licence and Memorandum of Association (MOA), identify the requirements, prepare and submit your amendment application with your authorisation, and follow it up with the relevant authority. We explain government fees separately from our service charges before work begins.
- Trade licence and MOA review
- Document and resolution preparation
- Application submission and follow-up
The Invest in Dubai portal lists six common amendment categories: partners, business location, manager, activities, share capital and trade name. Applications may be submitted through service centres. For certain legal forms, the official service requires an MOA addendum. Fees vary by the service requested; there is no single fixed charge.
What Types of Trade Licence Amendments Can We Handle in Dubai?
The official Invest in Dubai service identifies six common amendment categories, including changes that may affect the Memorandum of Association. We assist with these amendments for mainland Dubai licences. Free-zone licences are amended through the relevant free-zone licensing authority.
Amending Sole Establishment Licences
Common changes to a sole establishment licence include the business activity, trade name, premises or management details, depending on the licence category. Requirements vary with the proposed change. Transferring an establishment or selling a business may call for additional documents and approvals. We review the amendment before preparing the application.
Companies and Their Branches
For commercial companies, civil companies and their branches, amendments may affect partners and shareholdings, the manager, capital, business address, trade name or activities. Many changes also affect the MOA. Under Article 14(1) of Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies, as amended, the MOA and its amendments must be drawn up in Arabic and authenticated by the competent authority. Notarisation may be required in cases specified by that authority. An MOA addendum and an appropriate partners’ or general assembly resolution may therefore be needed before the application is submitted to DET.
| Type of amendment | Main requirements to consider |
|---|---|
| Changing business activities | The activity must be licensable and compatible with the licence type; sector-specific regulatory approval may be needed. |
| Changing the trade name | Reserve a compliant new trade name and arrange publication in a daily newspaper at the owner’s expense, where required. |
| Changing partners or shareholdings | MOA addendum and partners’ or general assembly resolution; publication of a general partner’s withdrawal in the applicable partnership types. |
| Changing the manager | Review whether the manager is named in the MOA and update the manager’s details with DET. |
| Changing the business premises | Provide the evidence of the establishment’s right to use the new premises required for that licence type. |
| Changing share capital | MOA addendum and, for a reduction of share capital, an auditor’s report. |
A change in the establishment’s legal form is not among the six commonly listed categories. Under Article 10 of the relevant Dubai law, prior approval from DET and other competent authorities is required; publication in a daily newspaper is also required for a change in a company’s legal form. We establish the appropriate route before proceeding.
An amendment is different from trade licence renewal, which extends the licence validity, and trade licence cancellation, which terminates it. Each involves a separate process.
Legal Requirements for Trade License Amendment in Dubai
Article 10 of Dubai Law No. 13 of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities provides that an establishment owner may not change its legal form, alter the details of its licence, or dispose of the establishment through a legal transaction without prior approval from DET and the relevant authorities. DET is also responsible, at the owner’s expense, for publishing specified changes, including alterations to a company’s legal form, the withdrawal of a general partner and changes to the trade name.
Prior approval and subsequent notification are distinct requirements. Article 19 of the same law, as amended by Dubai Law No. 14 of 2015, requires an establishment to notify the department within 10 working days of changes to the details or documents on which the licence was granted, provided the changes comply with applicable legislation. This notification does not replace any approval required before a licence amendment is made.
Changing or adding a licensed business activity without the relevant approval carries an AED 2,000 fine under Schedule 2, Item 7 of Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011. The new activity must not begin before the amendment is approved.
How to Amend a Trade Licence in Dubai: 6 Steps
The process starts by identifying the requested change and confirming that it is permitted. Next come the necessary documents and approvals, application submission and fee payment. Not every amendment needs every step; the requirements depend on the change and the establishment’s legal form.
Step 1 - Identify the Amendment and Check Eligibility
We review your licence and MOA to identify the type of change, who may authorise it, and whether the proposed activity, name or premises is eligible for DET approval.
Step 2 - Prepare the MOA Addendum and Resolutions, if Required
Depending on the legal form, an MOA addendum and a partners’, general assembly or board resolution may be required. The addendum is authenticated by the competent authority. We can assist with preparing a company Memorandum of Association in Dubai and meeting minutes and shareholder resolutions.
Step 3 - Check the Required Approvals
We identify any advance approvals required from sector regulators for the activity or proposed change, and arrange for them at the appropriate stage. The trade licence amendment application is then submitted to DET for its decision under the applicable procedures.
Step 4 - Submit the Application
The official service page describes submitting the amendment through an available service centre. With your authorisation, we prepare, submit and follow up on the application.
Step 5 - Pay Fees and Complete Publication, if Required
Government fees are paid through the channels stated by the official service. DET publishes qualifying amendments in a daily newspaper where Article 10 requires it.
Step 6 - Receive the Amended Licence and Update Records
After the amended licence is issued, review any updates required with other relevant authorities, as explained in the section on post-amendment obligations.
Can You Amend a Trade Licence Online in Dubai?
The Invest in Dubai portal provides access to the trade licence amendment service, while its service information also refers to applications through authorised service centres. The route depends on the type of amendment and the required documents and approvals. Some cases may require additional steps or document authentication. We confirm the appropriate submission channel before preparing your application.
Documents Required for Trade Licence Amendment in Dubai
DET does not publish one document checklist that applies to every amendment. Requirements depend on the requested change and the establishment’s legal form. The official service page identifies the following documents for specific circumstances:
| Document | When it may be required |
|---|---|
| MOA addendum | Amendments involving civil companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, and public or private joint-stock companies, as specified by the service. |
| Sale agreement | When selling a business or commercial establishment. |
| Auditor’s report | When reducing the company’s share capital. |
| Board or general assembly resolution | Where approval of a partnership change is required. |
| Original duly authenticated MOA addendum | For public or private joint-stock companies, where applicable. |
Additional documents may be needed depending on the activity, legal form or third-party approvals. We confirm the supporting documents for your particular application before submission. Requirements for non-resident partners may differ from those for individuals resident in the UAE.
Trade License Amendment Fees in Dubai
The official service page states that charges vary according to the amendment requested and does not give one standard price. The table below shows reference fees in Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 concerning fees and fines of the former Department of Economic Development. The Department of Economy and Tourism succeeded the former department under Dubai Law No. 20 of 2021.
| Fee item | Reference fee | Legal reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amending trade licence details | AED 500 per amendment | Schedule 1, Item 2 |
| Publishing the amendment in a daily newspaper | AED 500 per notice | Schedule 1, Item 3 |
| Amending the unified register of economic activities | AED 100 | Schedule 1, Item 11 |
| Reserving a new trade name | AED 200, with certain special name categories carrying fees up to AED 2,000 | Schedule 1, Items 5–8 |
These figures come from the published 2011 schedule and may not match the amount charged when you apply. Actual fees depend on the amendment and any subsequent updates. Although the schedule specifies a fee per amendment, the precise calculation when several changes are requested together should be confirmed from the official payment request rather than estimated.
Important: The amounts above are government reference fees only. They exclude any private notary fees where notarisation is needed, Instant PRO service charges, and fees charged by other authorities.
After Amending Your Trade Licence: What Else Must You Update?
Receiving your amended licence may not be the final step. Further notifications depend on the authorities with which your business is registered; not every obligation applies to every company.
| Authority or record | When an update may be needed | Timing or procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) | Where the establishment has a MOHRE record | Update the details with DET first, then the establishment card with the relevant immigration authority, followed by the MOHRE establishment record. |
| Federal Tax Authority (FTA) | Where the business is tax-registered and changes its trade name, address, main activity, licence details or authorised signatory | Within 20 working days, according to the FTA Tax Records Amendment service. |
| Beneficial owner and partners/shareholders registers | Where the relevant company information changes | 15 days under Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023, where applicable. |
The Federal Tax Authority states that its tax-record amendment service is free of charge and that late notification may attract an administrative penalty. We help you identify the follow-up updates relevant to your business.
How Long Does a Trade Licence Amendment Take in Dubai?
The official service page states a service time of 10 minutes at the service centre. This is not necessarily the total time for the full amendment process. It does not include preparing and authenticating an MOA addendum, obtaining outside approvals or completing publication where required. DET does not provide a single end-to-end timeframe for all cases, so we do not guarantee a completion date.
The following are practical causes of delay associated with the nature of the process, not an official DET list:
- An incomplete MOA addendum, missing partners’ resolution or required signature.
- A pending approval from a sector regulator.
- Inconsistent owner or partner information across the documents and licence.
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Urgent enquiries are accepted via WhatsApp around the clock.
How Instant PRO Helps with Your Trade License Amendment
We start by reviewing your existing trade licence and MOA to determine what the proposed change actually requires. We then prepare the relevant documents and resolutions, coordinate any regulatory approvals, and submit and follow up on the application with your authorisation until DET issues its decision. Before starting, we explain the government charges shown for your case and our separate service fees, along with any subsequent notifications you may need to make.
You may apply directly through an authorised service centre or engage Instant PRO to prepare and follow up on the transaction. We cannot issue a government decision or guarantee approval: only the competent authority can issue the amended licence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trade License Amendment in Dubai
Can I add a business activity to an existing Dubai trade licence?
Yes. Activities may be added or removed where the proposed activity is licensable and suitable for the licence category. Sector-specific approval may also be required. DET determines the supporting documents for the application, and the new activity must not be carried out until the amendment is approved.
How much does a trade licence amendment cost in Dubai?
There is no single fee covering every type of change. The reference schedule in Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 sets out AED 500 per amendment to licence details and AED 500 per publication notice, with additional trade-name charges where applicable. The actual amount is determined by the official payment request when you apply.
Do I need to amend the MOA when partners or share capital change?
Often, yes. Changes to partners, shareholdings or capital may affect the MOA. The official service requires an MOA addendum for certain legal forms and an auditor’s report for a capital reduction. Where an MOA amendment is required, it must be drawn up in Arabic and authenticated by the competent authority.
Can I start the new activity as soon as I submit the amendment?
No. Article 10 of Dubai Law No. 13 of 2011 requires prior approval for changes to trade licence details. Adding or changing an activity without approval is listed as an offence attracting an AED 2,000 fine under the cited 2011 schedule. Wait for approval and issuance of the amended licence before beginning that activity.
Can I change the business address on a Dubai trade licence?
Yes. Changing the business location is among the amendment categories listed by the official service. Operating from an unlicensed location is listed as an offence carrying an AED 1,000 fine under the cited schedule. DET determines the documents required according to the licence type and premises.
Can an expired trade licence be amended in Dubai?
This depends on the licence status and DET requirements at the time of the application. You may need to renew the licence, settle outstanding amounts or complete other steps first. We review your licence status to identify the appropriate procedure.
Do you amend free-zone trade licences?
No. This service covers mainland Dubai licences issued by DET. Free-zone licences are amended by the licensing authority for the relevant free zone. If you are uncertain who issued your licence, tell us the authority named on it and we can help identify the correct route.
The Next Step
Start Your Trade Licence Amendment in Dubai
Need to amend your Dubai trade licence? Tell us what you want to change and provide your licence number or general licence details. We will outline the likely procedure, documents and government fees before starting. You do not need to send copies of IDs or contracts in your first message; we request documents after identifying the appropriate process.
WhatsApp: +971562327778
Office 805, Opal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Review the amendment and legal structure
- Prepare documents and resolutions
- Track the application status
Instant PRO is an independent private service provider. We do not represent Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism or any other government authority. Approval of the amendment and issuance of the amended licence remain subject to the competent authority’s applicable requirements and procedures.