Instant Licence in the UAE
What a UAE instant licence covers, which activities qualify, how same-day issuance works, first-year cost bands and the conditions you must satisfy in year two.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
An instant licence is a UAE trade licence issued within a day for selected low-risk activities, without needing a lease at the point of issuance. It covers the first year on a virtual or authority-provided address; from year two you generally need registered premises. Typical first-year cost is AED 9,000–20,000 depending on activity and visa count.
- Issuance
- Often same day, under 24 hours
- Lease at issuance
- Not required in year one
- Eligible activities
- Low-risk commercial and professional only
- Cost band
- AED 9,000 – 20,000 first year
- Visas
- Usually available, quota limited
- Year two
- Ejari or facility usually required
Instant licences exist to remove the slowest step in company formation: securing premises. Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and several free zones issue a licence the same day for approved low-risk activities, letting you open a bank account, sign contracts and invoice immediately.
The trade-off is scope and duration. Activities requiring external approval — food, medical, education, financial services, tourism — are excluded. The address concession usually applies to year one only, so plan the premises decision before renewal.
This page sets out who qualifies, what it costs, what it cannot do, and how it compares with a standard licence or a free zone flexi-desk package.
| Item | Cost band (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Instant licence fee | 9,000 – 15,000 | Single activity, year one |
| Additional activity | 1,000 – 3,000 | Where permitted |
| Establishment card | 2,000 | Needed for any visa |
| Residence visa per person | 3,500 – 5,500 | Medical and Emirates ID included |
| Year-two premises (Ejari or flexi) | 8,000 – 25,000 | Main renewal cost jump |
Which activities qualify?
Eligibility is defined by an approved activity list rather than by business size. In broad terms, single-activity commercial trading and professional services with no external regulator qualify; anything needing a sector approval, a physical inspection or a specialised facility does not.
- Management, marketing and IT consultancy
- General and specialised trading of non-restricted goods
- Design, content, software and creative services
- Business support and administrative services
- Excluded: food, health, education, tourism, financial services, industrial activity
Instant licence vs standard licence vs free zone flexi-desk
| Factor | Instant licence | Standard mainland licence | Free zone flexi-desk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuance speed | Same day | 1 – 3 weeks | 3 – 10 days |
| Lease needed at issuance | No | Yes (Ejari) | Included flexi-desk |
| Activity range | Restricted list | Full list | Zone activity list |
| Onshore trading rights | Yes | Yes | Via distributor or branch |
| Year-two premises | Usually required | Already in place | Renew flexi-desk |
| Visa quota | Limited | By office area | Package tier |
Instant licence in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi issues its instant route through ADDED and the Abu Dhabi Business Centre, with the licence produced on TAMM in a single visit for approved low-risk activities. As in Dubai, no Tawtheeq tenancy is needed at issuance, and the concession runs for the first licence year.
Authority fees are typically AED 1,000 to AED 3,500 for the licence itself, plus Abu Dhabi Chamber membership. Founders who only trade and do not need staff visas often use a Tajer Abu Dhabi licence instead, which removes the premises requirement entirely but carries no visa quota.
Instant licence in Dubai — DET Instant Licence
Dubai's version is the DET Instant Licence, issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (formerly DED) and delivered digitally, usually within hours. It covers a single approved activity with no Ejari at issuance, and the trade name must match that activity.
First-year cost is commonly AED 9,000 to AED 15,000 for the licence, before the establishment card and any residence visas. At the first renewal DET expects registered premises — an Ejari tenancy or a business-centre desk — which is where the real cost step appears.
Who this option suits best
- Solo consultants who need to invoice this week
- Founders testing a UAE market entry before committing to premises
- Freelance-style service businesses with no inventory
- Businesses moving from an e-trader permit to a full licence
Step-by-step process
- 1
Check your activity is on the instant listSame day
External-approval activities are excluded outright.
- 2
Reserve the trade nameSame day
Name must match the single approved activity.
- 3
Submit shareholder documentsSame day
Passport, photo and, if resident, Emirates ID.
- 4
Pay and receive the licenceSame day
Digital licence issued, often within hours.
- 5
Open the immigration file3 – 10 days
Establishment card, then visa applications.
- 6
Plan year-two premisesBefore renewal
Ejari, flexi-desk or free zone facility before renewal.
Documents required
- Passport copy of each shareholder
- Passport-size photo
- Emirates ID and visa copy if UAE resident
- Three trade name options
- Selected activity code from the instant licence list
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Name and application | Same day |
| Licence issuance | Same day – 24 hours |
| Establishment card | 3 – 7 working days |
| Residence visas | 1 – 3 weeks |
The instant licence is cheap in year one because the premises cost is deferred, not removed. Compare total two-year cost against a free zone package before deciding.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming the licence is permanently address-free
Fix: Budget for Ejari or a flexi-desk from year two.
Picking a restricted activity
Fix: Check the approved list first; a non-qualifying activity forces a standard application.
Expecting unlimited visas
Fix: Quota is limited without premises; confirm the number before you hire.
Comparing only year-one price
Fix: Model two years including renewal and premises.
Delaying corporate tax registration
Fix: The registration deadline follows licence issuance regardless of licence type.
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notifications for relevant activities such as holding, IP, headquarters and distribution.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Frequently asked questions
How fast is an instant licence?
Do I need an office for an instant licence?
Can I get visas on an instant licence?
Can I open a bank account with it?
How much does it cost?
People also ask
Is an instant licence the same as a freelance permit?
No. A freelance permit covers an individual practising under their own name; an instant licence is a company trade licence.
Can I add activities later?
Yes, where the added activity is permitted; adding a regulated activity converts you to a standard licence process.
Is it available outside Dubai?
Several emirates and free zones run equivalent fast-track products under different names.
How do I get an instant licence in Abu Dhabi?
Through ADDED on the TAMM platform or at an Abu Dhabi Business Centre branch, for approved low-risk activities. Authority fees are typically AED 1,000 to AED 3,500 plus Chamber membership, with no Tawtheeq needed at issuance.
How much is a DET instant licence in Dubai?
About AED 9,000 to AED 15,000 for a single-activity licence in year one, before the establishment card and any residence visas.
Founder checklist
- Confirm your activity appears on the instant licence list
- Model year-one and year-two cost together
- Check the visa quota before hiring
- Decide the year-two premises route early
- Register for corporate tax after issuance
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Every listed provider holds a valid UAE trade licence and publishes fixed prices
- Costs reviewed against 2026 published government schedules
- Written and reviewed by advisers who have processed UAE licences and residence visas
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- Invest in Dubai — instant licenceOfficial same-day licence service and eligible activities
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
- Federal Tax Authority — corporate tax and VATSource for the 9% corporate tax threshold and VAT registration limits
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