How to amend a Dubai trade licence in 2026 — add/remove activities, change shareholders, name or address. DET amendment fees (AED 1,020–2,100), documents, and the Basher online process. Verified ranges.
A trade-licence amendment is how you change an existing Dubai licence — adding a business activity, changing shareholders, or updating the name or address — without starting over. This guide covers the 2026 DET process, costs and documents with verified ranges.
How much does a trade licence amendment cost in Dubai?
Quick answer: A mainland DET licence amendment costs roughly AED 1,020–2,100 in the base government fee in 2026 (DET's "Amend Licence" service fee starts from about AED 500). Regulated activities add an NOC fee of AED 500–10,000+ depending on the sector. Fees vary by amendment type — confirm current DET fees with the authority or ZETUP (DET periodically runs fee-relief windows).
| Item | Detail (2026) |
|---|---|
| Base amendment fee (DET mainland) | AED 1,020–2,100 |
| DET "Amend Licence" service fee | From ~AED 500 |
| Regulated-activity NOC | AED 500–10,000+ (sector-dependent) |
| Process | DET Basher portal — 90%+ done online, no physical visit |
What you can amend
- Add or remove business activities (confirm the activity code first).
- Shareholder changes — add an investor, remove a partner, transfer shares, update ownership %, and revise the Memorandum of Association (MOA) + UBO records.
- Trade-name, address, legal-form or manager changes.
The process
- Confirm the activity code (for activity additions) or the change you need.
- Submit the amendment request — via the DET Basher portal, which handles 90%+ of standard amendments without a physical visit.
- Pay the fees and upload documents.
- Receive the updated trade licence.
Documents you'll need
Your existing trade licence, passport copies and Emirates IDs for all shareholders and the manager, a completed amendment form, and — for regulated activities — a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authority. Shareholder changes also require an updated MOA and a share-transfer agreement.
How it fits the bigger picture
Amendments keep your licence aligned with how your business actually operates. If you're still choosing your structure, see company formation in Dubai; for costs, the Dubai Business Setup Cost Index 2026.
Why ZETUP PRO?
We work with Scandinavian transparency — published pricing, no hidden fees. We handle activity additions, shareholder transfers and MOA updates end to end, so your licence stays compliant as you grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to amend a trade licence in Dubai? A: Roughly AED 1,020–2,100 in the base DET government fee in 2026 (service fee from ~AED 500), plus AED 500–10,000+ for a regulated-activity NOC where required.
Q: Can I add a business activity to my Dubai licence? A: Yes — confirm the activity code, submit an amendment via the DET Basher portal, pay the fee and upload documents to receive an updated licence. Most are done online.
Q: What do I need to change shareholders on a Dubai trade licence? A: An updated Memorandum of Association, a share-transfer agreement, and passports + Emirates IDs of the shareholders and manager, plus the relevant authority's approval.
Q: Do I need to visit an office to amend my licence? A: Usually no — the DET Basher portal processes 90%+ of standard amendments online.
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Need Professional Help?
ZETUP PRO handles all the complexity covered in this guide. Book a free PRO Health Check to see how we can help your business.