Trade License in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Economic Development(DED), with the institutional support from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is the statutory body that regulates and controls the licensing procedures for an entity in Abu Dhabi

However, licenses for some categories of business require approval from certain ministries and other authorities: for example, banks and financial institutions from the Central Bank of the UAE; insurance companies and related agencies from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce; manufacturing from the Ministry of Finance and Industry; and pharmaceutical and medical products from the Ministry of Health. More detailed procedures apply to businesses engaged in oil or gas production and related industries.

Practising some trade activities (e.g. jewellery and insurance) requires the submission of a financial guarantee issued by a bank operating in UAE. In general, all commercial and industrial businesses in UAE should be registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the respective Emirate.

Types of trade license

The basic requirement for all business activity in Abu Dhabi is one of the following three categories of licenses

• Commercial licenses covering all kinds of trading activity.
• Professional licenses covering professions, services, craftsmen and artisans.
• Industrial licenses for establishing industrial or manufacturing activity

The Authorities also issue some special licenses such as Business Operation Permit, Entrepreneurial Business License etc subject to certain criteria.

Why a mainland Trade License is ideal for small business owners?

• You need share capital for a free zone business. No capital is required for a Abu Dhabi mainland (DED) license.
• A free zone license is strictly associated with rented free zone office space.Mainland businesses can be run from a cheper business centre
• Free zone business license and visa costs are cheaper, but it restricts you to work within free zones and international regions only – with a Mainland (DED) license, you can have clients from anywhere in UAE as well as internationally
• The long-term free zone benefits and services are more appropriate for a large international company than a small business owner

In both types of companies, there are no income taxes and if you’re thinking of starting a professional practice, you own the company 100%, regardless of whether it’s in free zone or mainland Abu Dhabi.

What are the requirements for obtaining a trade license?

Prior to operating any business in Abu dhabi, it is first necessary to follow the steps outlined below in order to meet the legal requirements of all concerned government authorities and to guarantee maximum commercial benefit for the business owner.

• Designate the category which the business falls into- commercial, industrial and/or professional
• Determine all the related business activities to be included within each business license(Maximum 10 per license)
• Make a decision as to your business’ appropriate legal status in UAE
• Select an appropriate trading name for the business.
• Submit an application to the Department for initial approval
• Register a trade name after receiving initial approval(If you don’t have previously reserved a trade name)
• Lease business premises and obtain approval from the Authority.
• Prepare all required documents; such as memorandum of association and approvals from other relevant government authorities which may be necessary to each case.
• Submit a further application to the Department to obtain the final license.
• Pay the required fees.

Renewal of Trade License

One cannot conduct business in Abu Dhabi without renewing the Trade License.When it’s time for your Abu Dhabi trade license renewal, you can change your sponsor and business address, if required. HLB Hamt offers complete assistance in renewing the trade license in whichever way you need.We will send you timely reminders when the renewal of your license is due.

HLB Hamt will work with you to handle your business setup in UAE from start to finish.

HLB Hamt will help you evaluate the structure that will work best for your company.
We give strategic inputs, help you evaluate and select the right form of company, work with you on your business plan, handle paperwork and documentation formalities. In short, we handle everything you need.

With HLB Hamt, you get the combination of our deep local knowledge and extensive experience, which gives us the ability to precisely understand the unique needs of your business. We are thus able to recommend the best possible options and ensure that your business is set up with minimal hassles and effort.

We handle the details for you, so you’re free to concentrate on the bigger picture – your business