The E-Trader license Dubai offers is a home-based online business licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It lets one person aged 21 or over who lives in Dubai sell online through social media, marketplaces or a website, with no shop or office. The fee is AED 1,070 plus AED 300 Dubai Chamber membership (AED 1,370 in year one), it is valid for one year, and you apply online through Invest in Dubai with UAE PASS. Expats are generally offered the Professional (services) licence; selling physical goods usually needs the Commercial licence for UAE and GCC nationals, or a free zone or mainland ecommerce licence.
Selling cakes on Instagram, offering social media management from your laptop, or testing a small online store before you invest in a full company? In the UAE you need a licence for all of these, and the E-Trader license Dubai residents can get online in minutes is usually the cheapest legal starting point. Often called the DED Trader license, a social media license or an online business license, it is the simplest way to sell online from home in Dubai. This guide explains who can apply, what it really costs in 2026, what you can and cannot do with it, and when you need a different licence instead.
| Issued by | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly DED |
|---|---|
| Launched | March 2017 |
| Who can apply | One individual, 21 or older, living in Dubai with a valid Emirates ID |
| Licence types | Commercial (physical goods) and Professional (services) |
| Expats | Generally the Professional (services) licence |
| Year-one government cost | AED 1,370 (AED 1,070 licence + AED 300 Dubai Chamber); up to AED 1,990 with a trade name fee |
| Validity | 1 year, renewable online |
| Processing time | Minutes after approval and payment; some applications take 3 to 5 business days |
| Where to apply | Invest in Dubai portal with UAE PASS, or a DET service centre |
| Sales channels | Social media, messaging apps, online marketplaces and your own website |
| Not allowed | Shop or office, partners, on-site staff, visa sponsorship for expats |
First, what is trade license in the UAE? It is the official permit that lets you run a business activity legally. The E-Trader license is the lightest type of trade license Dubai offers for people working from home.
The E-Trader license (also called the DED Trader licence) is a sole establishment licence issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly the Department of Economic Development (DED). It was launched in March 2017 to let start-ups and freelancers run business activities online and across social media accounts.
You may also see it written as the e trader license, the Dubai e trader license or the DED e trader license, or described as an e trade license UAE residents can get online. The e trader license DED introduced in 2017 is the same licence DET issues today.
It has proved popular: Dubai Media Office reported 18,013 licences issued between the launch and the end of March 2022, of which 13,671 were Professional and 4,342 Commercial. The most common activities included web design, social media marketing, blogging, fashion design, and perfume and cosmetics trading.
There are two types of E-Trader license in Dubai:
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Guidance only, based on published 2026 information. DET decides eligibility and the activities offered to you, so always confirm in the Invest in Dubai portal before you pay.
Short answer: the e trader license in Dubai is open to any individual aged 21 or over who lives in Dubai with a valid Emirates ID can apply. UAE and GCC nationals can choose Commercial or Professional activities, while expats are generally limited to Professional (service) activities.
You can apply if you meet all of these conditions:
| Applicant | Commercial (goods) | Professional (services) |
|---|---|---|
| UAE national living in Dubai | Yes | Yes |
| GCC national living in Dubai | Yes | Yes |
| Expat resident in Dubai | Generally not offered | Yes |
| Living outside the UAE | No | No |
Expat residents can apply, but different guides describe the expat rule slightly differently, so treat the activity list in the Invest in Dubai portal as the final word. If you are an expat who wants to sell physical products, plan for a free zone or mainland e-commerce license.
The full DED activity list appears as a drop-down in the portal. The Professional E-Trader is the lightest professional license in Dubai for freelancers. These are some of the most common ones reported by DET and 2026 guides:
| Commercial (physical goods) | Professional (services) |
|---|---|
| Garment and fashion trading | Social media and digital marketing |
| Perfumes and cosmetics trading | Web design, graphic design and video editing |
| Handicrafts, calligraphy and painting | Content creation and blogging |
| Sweets and approved home-made food | Photography, makeup and modelling |
| Accessories and gifts | Training, coaching and online education |
| Home decor items | IT services, translation and project management |
Who it suits best: stay-at-home parents, professionals with a side project, newcomers to Dubai, Instagram and WhatsApp sellers, and anyone who wants to test a business idea legally before investing in a full company.
Short answer: AED 1,370 in the first year (AED 1,070 licence fee + AED 300 Dubai Chamber membership), or up to AED 1,990 if a trade name fee applies. Renewal is around AED 1,070 a year.
The E-Trader license Dubai fee is one of the lowest of any UAE business licence. Here are the e-trader license fees you pay to the government in the first year:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-Trader licence fee | AED 1,070 | Includes the knowledge and innovation fees |
| Dubai Chamber membership | AED 300 | Paid together with the licence |
| Trade name | AED 620 | Only if it applies to your application |
| Year-one total | AED 1,370 to AED 1,990 | Depending on the trade name fee |
Seen quotes of AED 2,000 or more? Those usually include a provider's typing or service charges on top of the government fees above. You can apply yourself online and pay only the government fees.
The licence is valid for one year and can be renewed. Budget for the business costs too, such as a website, payment gateway fees and marketing. Our ecommerce website cost in Dubai guide breaks those down with a free calculator.
Sources: Emirates 24|7, Dubai e-Trader licence guide (September 2026), Dubai Media Office (April 2022), Invest in Dubai. Fees checked on 10 October 2026 and may change; the payment screen in the portal shows the final amount.
These are the main e-trader license requirements and documents to keep ready before you start:
Here is how to get an e-trader license online, start to finish:
Invest in Dubai says the licence can be emailed within minutes, although some guides report 3 to 5 business days when an application needs review. Prefer help in person? DET service centres can complete the application with you, and you still receive a digital copy by email.
| You can | You cannot |
|---|---|
| Sell through Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp | Open a shop, showroom or office |
| Sell on your own website or online store | Sponsor visas for yourself or staff (as an expat) |
| List on online marketplaces, subject to their rules | Have partners or more than one owner |
| Deliver orders to your online customers | Run activities that need on-site staff or premises |
| Renew every year while the business grows | Trade activities outside your licensed activity list |
Payment gateways and banks set their own rules. Some accept an E-Trader licence and some ask for a full trade licence, so check with the provider before you build your checkout around it.
Short answer: choose the E-Trader license if you live in Dubai and want to test or run a small online business from home. Choose a free zone or mainland e-commerce license if you are an expat selling physical products, live outside the UAE, or need staff, visas or a warehouse.
| Licence | Best for | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| E-Trader (DET) | Dubai residents testing or running a small online business from home | One owner, no shop, no expat visas; goods mainly for UAE and GCC nationals |
| Intelaq (Dubai SME) | UAE and GCC nationals who need a home based business license | Nationals only; home cannot be a retail outlet |
| Free zone e-commerce license | Expats and foreign founders selling products online, including from abroad | Higher cost; check rules for selling into mainland UAE |
| Mainland ecommerce licence (DET) | Growing stores that need staff, visas, a warehouse or an office | Highest cost and more paperwork |
Starting from outside the UAE? The E-Trader license is not an option for you, but a free zone or mainland licence is. Our guide on whether foreigners can open an online store in Dubai explains each route.
The licence is valid for one year, and e-trader license renewal is done fully online. To renew, log in to your Invest in Dubai account, update your activity or details if anything changed, and pay the renewal fee online. Guides advise renewing within one month of the expiry date, and the renewed licence is emailed to you after payment. The renewal fee is similar to the first-year licence fee, so budget around AED 1,070 and check the exact amount on the payment screen.
The E-Trader license Dubai residents use is a low-cost licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that lets one person sell products or services online from home, through social media, messaging apps, marketplaces or a website, without renting a shop or office.
The E-Trader license Dubai fee is AED 1,070, which includes the knowledge and innovation fees, plus AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership, so most people pay AED 1,370 in the first year. If a trade name fee applies, Emirates 24|7 lists a maximum of AED 1,990. Confirm the final amount on the Invest in Dubai payment screen.
Yes, expatriates who live in Dubai with a valid residence visa and Emirates ID can apply. 2026 reporting says expats are offered the Professional (services) E-Trader licence, while the Commercial (goods) licence is for UAE and GCC nationals, so check the activities offered to you in the portal before paying.
The application is online and Invest in Dubai says the licence can be issued by email in under five minutes once approved and paid. Some applications take a few working days if they need review.
Yes. The E-Trader license covers selling through social media accounts, messaging apps, online marketplaces and your own website. Payment gateways and banks have their own approval rules, so the licence alone does not guarantee a merchant account.
No for most people. The licence is for one owner working from home, and it does not give expats visa sponsorship. Dubai Media Office stated that a 100% Emirati-owned licence can avail up to three visas.
It is a Dubai licence tied to your Dubai home address, and it covers the online business you run from there. If you live in another emirate, or plan to trade from a location outside Dubai, check the rules with DET or that emirate's own licensing authority first.
Only when your taxable sales pass AED 375,000 in the last 12 months or are expected to in the next 30 days. You can register voluntarily from AED 187,500. Corporate tax applies to individuals only when business turnover passes AED 1 million in a calendar year.
Log in to the same Invest in Dubai account, update your activity if anything changed, and pay the renewal fee online. The licence runs for one year, and guides advise renewing within one month of the expiry date. The renewed licence is sent by email.
You need proof of your Dubai home address. Some guides list an Ejari contract, while others say a Makani number is enough and Ejari is not required, so use whichever the portal asks for during your application.
The government fees are AED 1,070 for the licence plus AED 300 for Dubai Chamber, with an AED 620 trade name fee only if it applies. Higher quotes, such as around AED 2,000, usually include the provider's typing or service charges. You can apply yourself online and pay only the government fees.
Yes. Many sellers start with an E-Trader license to test demand, then move to a mainland or free zone licence when they need staff, visas, a warehouse or a shop. Your website and customers can move with you.
DED was Dubai's Department of Economic Development, which is now part of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Many people still say DED Dubai or DED license for any licence DET issues, including mainland trade licences and the E-Trader license. So what is DED today? It is the business licensing work now carried out by DET.
Here is how to apply for trade license in Dubai in short: choose your activity, pick the licence type (E-Trader, mainland or free zone), reserve a trade name, submit your documents and pay the fees. Where to apply for business license depends on the type: DET through Invest in Dubai for E-Trader and mainland licences, or the free zone authority for a free zone licence. If you live in Dubai and work from home, the E-Trader License Dubai steps above show how to apply trade license online the quickest way.
If you are a UAE or GCC national asking how to start trading in Dubai from home, the Commercial E-Trader licence is the simplest route for selling physical goods online. Can I trade products as an expat? Usually not on an E-Trader license: expats who want to sell products usually need a mainland or free zone licence instead.
For trade license renewal Dubai residents with an E-Trader license log in to the same Invest in Dubai account, update any changed details or activities, and pay the renewal fee online. The renewed licence is emailed after payment. Mainland and free zone licences have their own renewal steps and fees.
Log in to your Invest in Dubai account and request the activity change, ideally before your renewal. The new activity must be on the list allowed for your licence type, and the fee can change, so check the amount shown on screen before you pay.
For a Dubai trade license check, go to the DET website, open e-services, choose licence information, and search by the company's English or Arabic name or licence number. The result shows the licence status, expiry date, legal type and activities.
Your E-Trader License Dubai certificate is emailed to you as a digital copy when it is issued. Keep that email, and log in to your Invest in Dubai account if you need to view your licence details again.
For the E-Trader License Dubai, once your application is approved you receive a payment voucher on the Invest in Dubai portal, and you pay by card online. Pay within 24 hours of the voucher, or the approval may be cancelled.
For Dubai residents, the E-Trader License Dubai is among the cheapest business license in UAE options at AED 1,370 in the first year. A general trading license is a full company licence for trading many types of goods, and even the cheapest general trading license in UAE free zones costs far more. When you compare small business license cost in Dubai, or overall business license cost in Dubai, add the renewal fee and any visa costs, not just the first-year price.
For a home-based online business, the E-Trader License Dubai costs AED 1,070 for the licence plus AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership, so AED 1,370 in the first year, or up to AED 1,990 if a trade name fee applies.
Abu Dhabi has its own online licence called Tajer Abu Dhabi, issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). According to the UAE government portal it covers trading through websites and social media, with more than 1,000 eligible activities, and is open to UAE and GCC nationals and UAE residents under set legal forms. For how to get trade license in Abu Dhabi, apply through ADDED.
No. The E-Trader License Dubai is issued by Dubai and tied to your Dubai home address. Other emirates have their own licences, such as Tajer Abu Dhabi, so apply in the emirate where you live.
Yes, dropshipping is legal when you hold a valid licence whose activities cover the products you sell online. Because expats are generally limited to Professional (service) E-Trader activities, expats who want to dropship physical products usually need a free zone or mainland e-commerce licence. Need suppliers too? Our e-commerce website service includes help finding dropshipping suppliers.
Here is how to start online business in UAE: choose a product or service, get the right licence, build your own online store, connect a payment gateway and start marketing. The best online business in UAE for beginners is usually one built on a skill or product you already know. If you are asking how to do ecommerce business in UAE or how to open online business with your own store, see our ecommerce website service, which covers ecommerce business setup Dubai sellers need, from WooCommerce store to payments.
If you need staff, visas or a warehouse, the E-Trader license is not enough: you need a full company on the Dubai company register. How to start a company in Dubai depends on the route: a mainland company through DET, or a free zone company, including e-commerce-focused zones such as Dubai CommerCity (often searched as Dubai ecommerce city). Online company registration in UAE is available for many free zones. An e commerce trade license Dubai companies hold costs more than an E-Trader, and e commerce license Dubai cost varies by zone. For the full process of how to open a business in Dubai from abroad, read our foreigners guide.
This guide was written by Nimrah Shahid, who builds online stores for UAE sellers, and fact-checked on 10 October 2026 against official and news sources. Where sources disagree, such as on which activities expats can choose, we say so and point you to the Invest in Dubai portal as the final word. We will update this page when fees or rules change.
Nimrah is a Dubai-based WordPress developer and SEO specialist with 9+ years of experience and the founder of Nimrah Digital. She builds WooCommerce stores for UAE sellers and wrote this guide from published 2026 information. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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