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The UAE stands as a dream destination for entrepreneurs worldwide. Those who have established themselves here know how supportive the business landscape is, and many more continue to come here to build a better future. Starting a business here is an exciting journey in itself, and one essential step of this journey is getting a UAE trade license. This license is your key to operating legally and confidently in this beautiful nation.
But is the process complete once you obtain your license? Not really. The UAE continuously presents new opportunities. You must keep growing and expanding, for every new opportunity paves the way to greater success. Why remain static when you can change for the better? You can seize these opportunities, diversify your business, and achieve new milestones. UAE government list more than 2000 activities for businesses. As your business grows and you decide to take up new operations, you will need to add activities in trade license to stay compliant and legally up to date.
Let us understand how to add activities in trade license, including the requirements, straightforward steps, and exclusive tips in this comprehensive guide. Let us start by understanding a trade license first.
A trade license is an authorisation, a permit, issued by the UAE government that allows you, as a business, to legally carry out operations within its boundaries. Regardless of the size or industry of your business, you need a trade license to stay compliant. Not obtaining one can land you in hot water, where you may face penalties and other legal consequences. The government offers several types of trade license in UAE, such as commercial, industrial, and professional licenses, each catering to various business activities. These licenses have their own validity periods, after which they need to be renewed.
In the UAE, obtaining a trade license is relatively straightforward. When starting a business, you should pre-determine your services and then obtain the appropriate license from the relevant government authority. But growth is inevitable and a necessity. As your company enters new horizons, you will need to update your license with new activities you plan to take up or remove some, as necessary.
We have broken down the process into simple steps for your better understanding. Here is how to add activities in trade license in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or rest of the UAE easily:
Before you start the process, you need initial approval from DED (Department of Economic Development) to add activities in trade license. You will need to submit a request to DED, clearly outlining the changes you want to make. DED will review the activities you want to add and ensure they comply with UAE conventions. Only after receiving a green light from the DED, you proceed with the further steps.
After receiving initial approval, you will need to submit an application form for the license amendment. The designated application form, known as BR1, requires information about your company and the activities you want to add. You will need to submit this form along with the relevant paperwork to DED.
As part of the documentation process, you need to obtain an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from specific government authorities for adding activities to your trade license. For example, if the activities are related to food, you may need an NOC from the Food Safety Department.
Depending on your business structure in UAE (type of legal entity your business is), you may need additional paperwork. In the case of an LLC (Limited Liability Company), you will need to prepare an addendum to the existing LLC agreement, which should be translated into Arabic by a legal translator. This addendum must reflect the new activities being added. Once prepared, it must be attested by the DED Notary Public. Additionally, you will need to complete a Court Agreement at the Notary.
Sounds hectic? Do not worry! Our experts can handle it all on your behalf.
Now that you have reached this step, it is time to submit the documentation to DED. Here is a checklist of documents you need to add activities in trade license in the UAE:
Remember, you need to be super careful with documentation. Also, depending on your specific business case, you may need to submit additional documents to add activities in trade license. Our experts at Dubiz Business Setup can make your documentation correct and accurate.
Once you submit the application along with the necessary paperwork, DED will review it. If your application is approved, you will receive an email to pay the fees for the newly updated trade license, which you can pay either online or at authorized service centers. Your new license will be issued after the payment is completed. You can then legally start the new activities without any concerns. All your business activities, including the new ones, will be reflected on this new trade license.
You may add activities in trade license in Dubai as your business evolves. Here are the advantages of doing so:
Your business can grow with time. You can expand your horizons and unlock new sources of revenue.
Increase your business portfolio by offering a variety of products and services. This will help you attract more customers and secure a dominant market position.
Taking up new activities in your business helps you remain flexible and adapt to changes in market trends.
Remember, you must add activities in trade license to conduct them legally in the nation. Ensuring all activities are approved will help you avoid any legal complications.
Here are some things you must consider if you want to add activities in trade license:
Obviously, you would not want to pursue any activity that has no demand. When selecting new activities, conduct thorough market research to determine if there is demand, identify potential customers, and assess whether competitors are offering similar services.
Paperwork is crucial for the successful amendment of a trade license. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can lead to delays and even cancellations. So, be mindful of that.
The activities you choose must be related to your existing ones. Otherwise, it can lead to cancellation, and you may need to apply for an entirely different trade license.
Whether you are operating on the mainland or in a free zone, you must comply with the rules set by the relevant authorities to avoid any issues. If there are requirements for staff or office premises, make sure not to ignore them.
Some operations require approval from additional government bodies. Ensure you secure these approvals and submit the NOC (No Objection Certificate) along with your amendment application.
Make sure to update your Memorandum of Association (MOA) with all the new activities you intend to undertake.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with all the DED guidelines regarding the upgrade and modification of the UAE trade license.
The process of modifying your trade license in the UAE requires careful attention to legal requirements and formalities. We advise seeking expert advice and assistance to ensure an error-free and successful trade license amendment application.
The UAE trade license amendment cost in mainland can be around AED 3,000* and in freezone, it will cost approximately AED 2,000*.
The cost involved to add activities in trade license in UAE depends on several factors such as you license category, the activity being added, and your business location. You can contact our consultants at Dubiz Business Setup who can help you with the accurate costing.
With time, we grow and improve, and this holds true for businesses as well. In a nation like the UAE, the sky is the limit for growth. You can upgrade your trade license in the UAE with new activities and explore more opportunities for yourself. However, it is crucial to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations set by the UAE government to ensure transparency and legality for your business.
Selecting new activities should be done carefully, aligning them with your current business operations. The steps and guidelines we have provided can help you navigate the process smoothly and confidently. In case you still need any assistance, we are just a call away. Our experts can help you add new activities in trade license with minimal hassle.
We have helped more than 4,000 businesses in the UAE find their success, and nothing would make us happier than assisting you in achieving yours. Let us assist you with your business setup in Dubai:
Contact Dubiz today: Call us: +971 562986853, Whatsapp us: +971 501309366, Email us: info@dubiz.co
Yes, the UAE government does allow businesses to add new activities to existing trade licenses. However, you will have to meet the legal requirements meticulously.
Yes, you can add more than one activity to your UAE trade license, but these activities must be related.
No, you must not conduct any business activity without adding it to your license in UAE, as it would be illegal, and you would face legal consequences.
Here is what you can change on your UAE trade license through proper legal procedure:
Follow these simple steps to add activities in trade license in Abu Dhabi:
Yes, you can. The government in all the Emirates provide the facility of online application for trade license amendment. You can visit the respective portal and submit your request.
