Trade license renewal in the UAE. Renewed before it expires.
Mainland or free zone, ComplyUAE tracks your license expiry and starts the renewal well ahead of time. Your account manager gathers the documents, handles Ejari, approvals and fees, and gets the renewed license back to you. No WhatsApp. No chasing. No lapsed license.
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An expired license stops more than trading
A lapsed trade license doesn't just bring monthly fines. It can block new visas and visa renewals, hold up your bank, and put the company at risk of suspension. Most late renewals happen because a lease, an audit or an approval wasn't ready in time. ComplyUAE starts those steps early so the renewal itself is routine.
Two different renewals, both handled for you
Where your company is licensed decides who renews it, which documents you need and how late fines work. Pick your route below.
Mainland trade license renewal
For companies licensed by DET Dubai, ADDED Abu Dhabi, or the economic department of Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah or UAQ.
Don't count on a grace periodMainland renewal depends on things outside the license itself: a valid registered tenancy, Chamber of Commerce membership, and approvals from other authorities for regulated activities. Your account manager checks each of these well before expiry, fixes what's missing, and submits the renewal through the emirate's portal.
What we handle
- Expiry tracking and early renewal start
- Ejari or tenancy contract renewal check
- Chamber of Commerce membership renewal
- External approvals and NOCs for regulated activities
- Fee payment and renewed license download
- Activity, name or partner changes at renewal
Documents you upload
- Current trade license
- Valid Ejari or registered tenancy contract
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID of partners and manager
- MOA or local service agent agreement, if applicable
- Approvals from other authorities, if your activity needs them
Free zone license renewal
For companies in DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis, RAKEZ, SHAMS, SAIF Zone and every other UAE free zone.
Each free zone sets its own rules and finesFree zone licenses are renewed directly with the zone authority, often as a package with your office or flexi-desk. Some zones won't renew without an audit report, an updated register or a renewed establishment card. Your account manager knows your zone's checklist and gets each item ready before the renewal window opens.
What we handle
- Expiry tracking in your zone's renewal window
- Office, flexi-desk or lease renewal with the zone
- Audit report submission where your zone requires it
- Establishment or immigration card renewal
- UBO and shareholder register updates
- Package fee payment and renewed license download
Documents you upload
- Current trade license and certificate of incorporation
- Office lease or flexi-desk agreement with the zone
- Audited financial statements, if your zone requires them
- Passport, visa and Emirates ID of shareholders and manager
- Updated UBO declaration, if anything changed
Mainland vs free zone at a glance
| Mainland | Free zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Who renews it | Emirate's economic department (DET, ADDED and others) | Your free zone authority |
| Where it's filed | Government portal, such as Invest in Dubai | The zone's own client portal |
| Office requirement | Valid Ejari or registered tenancy | Office, desk or flexi-desk agreement with the zone |
| Audit report | Not usually a renewal condition | Required by several zones, such as DMCC and JAFZA |
| Extra approvals | Chamber membership and NOCs for regulated activities | Mostly handled inside the zone |
| Late fines | Monthly fine, around AED 250 in Dubai | Set by each zone; some charge from day one |
| Visas | Renewing the license does not renew residence visas. Those are tracked separately in your calendar. | |
Everything around your license, covered too
A renewal goes smoothly when everything it depends on is already in order. Your account manager keeps it that way through the portal.
Expired license recovery
Already lapsed? We work out the fines due, clear any blocks and get the license active again as fast as possible.
License amendments
Add or remove activities, change the trade name, partners or manager, at renewal or any time during the year.
Ejari and office renewals
Lease, Ejari and flexi-desk expiry tracked alongside the license, so one never holds up the other.
Visa and establishment card
Immigration card and employee visa dates sit in the same calendar as your license expiry.
Compliance calendar
License expiry per entity, alongside VAT returns, corporate tax dates and visa renewals.
Document vault
Every license, lease, approval and receipt stored in one place, ready for banks, auditors and the FTA.
From expiry reminder to renewed license in four steps
No forms to fill out over and over. No chasing. Your account manager handles the rest once you upload.
- 1
Add your company
Mainland, free zone or offshore. Your license expiry date goes straight into your compliance calendar.
- 2
Early heads-up
Around 60 days before expiry, your AM tells you exactly what's needed for your emirate or zone.
- 3
Upload and approve
Upload documents in one batch and approve the fees. Your AM handles Ejari, approvals and the application.
- 4
Renewed and tracked
The renewed license lands in your portal, and next year's expiry is already in your calendar.
Every expiry date in one place
UAE business owners who moved their compliance from WhatsApp chaos to the portal.
"We have three companies under our group. Keeping track of all the compliance deadlines was a nightmare. ComplyUAE shows everything in one dashboard. The compliance calendar alone is worth the fee."
Licenses we renew
- Dubai mainland (DET)
- Abu Dhabi mainland (ADDED) and other emirates
- DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, IFZA and DSO
- RAKEZ, SHAMS, SAIF Zone and all major free zones
- Commercial, professional and industrial licenses
- 800+
- Active companies
- 24hr
- AM response
- AED 0
- Setup fee
- 14 days
- Free trial
Trade license, VAT, corporate tax and visa deadlines tracked together, per entity.
Trade license questions, answered
Can't find what you need? Your account manager replies within 24 hours.
When should I start renewing my trade license?
Start about 30 to 60 days before the expiry date shown on your license. That leaves time to renew Ejari or your free zone lease, get any approvals, and prepare an audit report if your zone needs one. ComplyUAE starts this process for you around 60 days out.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone license renewal?
Mainland licenses are renewed by the emirate's economic department, such as DET in Dubai, and need a valid Ejari plus approvals for regulated activities. Free zone licenses are renewed with the zone authority, use the zone's own office or flexi-desk agreement, and some zones require an audit report before renewal.
Is there a grace period after my trade license expires?
Don't rely on one. Practice differs between authorities, and some free zones charge fines from the day after expiry. The safest approach is to complete the renewal before the expiry date.
What happens if my trade license expires?
Monthly late fines start to build up, for example around AED 250 per month on a Dubai mainland license. An expired license can also block visa processing and banking, and long delays can lead to suspension or cancellation.
Do I need an audit report to renew a free zone license?
Several free zones, including DMCC and JAFZA, ask for audited financial statements as part of renewal. Requirements vary by zone, so your account manager checks your zone's rules early so the audit is ready on time.
Does renewing my trade license renew my visas?
No. Residence visas and the establishment or immigration card have their own expiry dates and are renewed separately. ComplyUAE tracks all of them in the same compliance calendar.
Can I change activities or partners at renewal?
Yes. Renewal is a good time to add or remove activities, change the trade name, or update partners and managers. Your account manager handles the amendment together with the renewal.
Can I renew an already expired license?
Yes. Your account manager calculates the fines due, clears any blocks on the file, and completes the renewal as quickly as the authority allows.
General information about UAE trade license renewal. Fees, fines and requirements differ by emirate and free zone and change from time to time; your account manager will confirm what applies to your company.
Stop tracking license expiry on WhatsApp
Join 800+ UAE businesses that renew their trade licenses through a proper system. Mainland or free zone, handled by your account manager. 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
14 days free · No setup fee · UAE-based support team