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UAE Trade License Renewal and Company Amendments
We handle the annual license renewal and changes to your company: new activities, a change of shareholders and other corporate actions in UAE free zones and on the mainland.
UAE trade license renewal happens every year. Along with the license you usually need to renew the office or flexi-desk agreement, and on the mainland the Ejari registration as well. If you miss the renewal, fines start to accrue and the company runs into trouble with employee visas, the bank and the establishment card. We keep a renewal calendar and start preparing early, so the company never falls out of good standing.
Changes are a separate task. Adding a business activity is not always possible: some activities need extra approval or a different type of license. A change of shareholders alters the founding documents and can affect visas issued through the company. Before filing, we check how the change will affect the license, the visas and the bank account.
Who it is for
- Owners of free zone and mainland companies in the UAE whose license is due for renewal
- Companies expanding their business and adding new lines of activity
- Shareholders selling or buying a share in a company
- Owners who need to change the manager, the company name or other details
Requirements
- An active company and access to its documents
- A valid office or flexi-desk agreement, plus Ejari on the mainland
- No outstanding debts or fines with the licensing authority
- A shareholders' resolution and updated founding documents when the ownership changes
- Additional approvals for new activities, where required
What we do
- Keep a renewal calendar and prepare documents in advance
- Renew the license and the related documents
- Add business activities and obtain the necessary approvals
- Process a change of shareholders and update the founding documents
- Check how changes affect visas and the establishment card
- Tell you what to report to the bank after the changes
Key documents
- Current license and founding documents
- Passports and visas of the shareholders and the manager
- Office or flexi-desk agreement, and Ejari for the mainland
- Shareholders' resolution on the change of ownership or activity
- Share purchase agreement, if the owner changes
- Passports of new shareholders
How it works
- Reviewthe company's current status, deadlines, debts and what needs to change
- Documentsresolutions, agreements and updated founding documents
- Filingthe application to the free zone or emirate licensing authority
- Approvalsadditional permits for new business activities
- Status updatethe new license, establishment card, visas and notice to the bank
What to watch out for
- A late renewal leads to fines and visa complications
- A new activity may not fit your current type of license
- A change of shareholder affects visas issued through the company
- The bank may review the company again after a change of owner
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
When should UAE trade license renewal start?
Well before the expiry date. We first check the office or flexi-desk agreement and, on the mainland, the Ejari registration, and then file for renewal. If any of these documents have expired, the renewal takes longer, so we start preparing early.
What happens if the license is not renewed on time?
Fines accrue, and with an expired license it is harder to renew employee visas and to operate the bank account. The longer the delay, the more it costs to bring the company back into good standing, so a renewal calendar pays off.
Can I add a new business activity?
Often yes, but not always. Some activities require approval from the relevant authority or a different type of license. We check this before filing, so you know whether the activity can be added to your current license or needs a different route.
How do I change a shareholder in a UAE company?
You need a shareholders' resolution, a share transfer agreement and updated founding documents, and then the changes are registered with the licensing authority. We also look separately at the visas issued through the company and at what the bank needs to know.
Do you make changes in free zones and on the mainland?
Yes. The procedure differs: each free zone has its own rules, while on the mainland changes go through the emirate's authorities. We handle both, and before filing we check how the change affects the license, visas and bank account.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
