Dubai Mainland License Renewal: Government Fee Reductions Now in Effect

Dubai DET Has Reduced Mainland Renewal Fees - Here's What It Means

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) announced a deferral of selected fees applicable to mainland trade licenses, effective from April 1, 2026, for a period of three months. The measure is part of Sheikh Hamdan's DH1 billion economic support package approved on March 31, 2026. Deferred fees include amendments to trade licenses, advertising fees, local fees on trade licenses, and optional fees related to trade names.

What this means in practice: several Incorpify clients who came in for their annual license renewal have seen their total government fee burden come in significantly lower than their previous year. One client with a renewal that had historically cost AED 17,000 paid AED 12,000 this cycle. Another saw a reduction from AED 13,000 to AED 6,000. These are real figures from real cases. The exact reduction depends on your license activity, company structure, and the fees applicable to your specific trade name.

We have seen this type of government support before. During COVID, the Dubai government waived certain trade license fees entirely for the affected period. While the current measure is formally described as a deferral, the precedent exists for these amounts to be absorbed rather than recovered at renewal. We are not making that promise. What is certain is that renewing your license costs less than it normally would, and that window is open for now.

Indicative Renewal Cost Breakdown

Your renewal cost has two parts: government fees (set by DET, confirmed only when your payment voucher is issued) and service fees (what your provider charges to handle the process). Here is what a typical mainland renewal looks like right now.

* Trade license government fee is confirmed only when the payment voucher is issued. The range above reflects typical cases. Your actual fee may fall within or outside this range depending on your license activity and applicable government charges.

** Ejari coordination is included in the service fee where applicable. If you operate from your own premises without a registered lease, this step does not apply.

What Other Providers Charge

Most legacy service providers charge AED 10,000 or more for the same renewal work. Some bundle their service fee into the government fee total without separating the two, making it impossible to see what you are actually paying for the service versus what goes to the government. Others add line items for "document processing," "typing fees," or "admin charges" that appear after you have already committed.

Incorpify's AED 5,000 service fee is a flat rate that covers everything. There are no hidden charges, no surprise add-ons, and the government fee portion is always shown separately so you know exactly where your money goes.

Who Qualifies

This applies to Dubai mainland companies only. Specifically:

Your trade license must be issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Your company must be renewing within the deferral window, which started on April 1, 2026. No NOC is required for mainland license renewals.

Why Your Renewal Provider Is Replaceable

When you first set up your company, you chose a provider. They handled your incorporation, got your license, and you have renewed with them every year since. Most business owners assume they have to stay with the same provider. They do not.

The renewal process is standardized. Every provider submits the same application to DET, pays the same government fees, and receives the same renewed license. There is no exclusivity. No contract tying you to your original provider. No government requirement to stay. You can switch at any renewal cycle with zero impact on your license, visas, or bank account.

How It Works

You Send Us Your License Number

Share your trade license number and current activity list. We confirm what your government fees will be (based on DET's current payment voucher for your specific license) and provide a clear breakdown of the total cost before you commit to anything.

We Handle Everything

A dedicated PRO handler takes over your renewal from start to finish. They submit the application to DET, handle all government liaison, coordinate your Ejari, and manage every document. You get real-time status updates. No government queues. No portal logins. No chasing anyone.

Renewed License Delivered in 48-72 Hours

Your renewed trade license is delivered digitally. The entire process happens without you visiting a single government office. Your company stays active, your visas stay valid, your bank account continues without interruption.

What If I Need More Than Just a Renewal?

Most mainland companies handle more than just a trade license each year. If you also need visa renewals, accounting and bookkeeping, corporate tax filing, or PRO services, bundling everything under one provider eliminates the double markups that happen when you pay multiple firms.