Why renewals go wrong
A trade licence renewal is more than paying a bill. A company may have changed its manager, premises, activities or ownership since the previous renewal. Some regulated activities require external approvals. If these details are not reconciled first, renewal can become an expensive last-minute exercise. This guide focuses on Dubai mainland businesses; free zones have their own procedures and fee schedules.
1. Check the licence and company record
Record the expiry date, licence number, legal name, registered activities and the issuing authority. Compare these with your current operations, corporate documents and bank records. Check whether any pending amendment should be processed before or alongside renewal. A mismatch between actual activities and the licence is not fixed simply by renewing it.
2. Review premises and third-party approvals
Verify that the registered address and supporting tenancy documents are current where required. Check whether your activity requires clearance from a sector regulator or another authority. Requirements vary by activity and legal form: a professional consultancy, restaurant and regulated healthcare business will not have identical checklists. Do not assume an approval from last year remains valid.
3. Request the official renewal amount
Dubai’s official Invest in Dubai renewal service explains that the renewal fee depends on the business activity. Ask for the authority-generated payment instruction or fee breakdown rather than relying on a generic online package price. Budget separately for any premises costs, third-party approvals, amendments and optional professional assistance. TTM’s coordination fee, if applicable, is a private service charge and is not a government fee.
4. Check corporate tax and VAT separately
Renewing a commercial licence does not replace tax registration or filing. UAE juridical persons subject to Corporate Tax generally must register with the Federal Tax Authority, including free-zone entities; deadlines depend on circumstances. VAT registration has a separate mandatory threshold of AED 375,000 in taxable supplies and imports, including the relevant historical or prospective tests, and a voluntary threshold of AED 187,500 subject to conditions. Foreign businesses may face different VAT rules. Confirm the company’s actual tax position with a qualified tax adviser.
5. Confirm changes and keep an audit trail
Before paying, verify shareholders, authorised signatories, manager, contact details, trade name and activities. Keep copies of the renewed licence, official receipt, approvals and any amended corporate documents. Update your bank and counterparties when a new licence or material amendment is issued. If immigration or establishment files are linked to the business, check their validity separately.
What to send TTM Corporate
For an initial review, provide a copy of the current licence, expiry date, issuing authority, activity list, relevant company documents and a description of any changes. Share premises and regulatory approvals where applicable. We can identify the administrative steps, coordinate with the relevant authorities and provide a scope-based quotation. We cannot guarantee approval, a fixed fee or an exact completion date.
Official sources and related services
- Dubai licence renewal service
- FTA Corporate Tax registration
- FTA VAT registration
- TTM Corporate PRO services
Need help preparing a Dubai licence renewal? Discuss your company’s documents with TTM Corporate on WhatsApp.
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