How to Obtain a Dubai Economy & Tourism License (DET) in Dubai?

How to Obtain a Dubai Economy & Tourism License (DET) in Dubai?

The options for company formation in Dubai can be grouped under three main licensing categories: mainland, offshore and free zone. To obtain a Dubai mainland trade license, you need to approach the Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) department. DET is the authority issuing trade licenses for entrepreneurs planning to set up a business in Dubai mainland.

The DET licensing procedures can be tough for foreign investors. However, this can be simplified by hiring the best business setup consultants in Dubai. In this blog, we discuss how to obtain a DET license in Dubai:

What is a DET License?

A DET license is mandatory to practice any business activity in Dubai mainland. You can carry out only those activities mentioned in the trade license. Practising activities not permitted in the DET license will make you liable for penalties and other punishments. Business Setup Advisers in Dubai can help you get a DET license.

Types of Licenses Permitted by the DET

There are four types of licenses that allow you to set up a company in Dubai mainland. The four types of licenses issued by the DET are:

  1. Industrial License
  2. Commercial License
  3. Professional License
  4. Tourism License

How to get a DET License in Dubai Mainland?

The process of getting a DET license for your mainland company involves certain pre-designed steps. It is advisable to hire the top company formation consultants in Dubai to simplify the steps. The following are the mandatory steps to obtain a DET license to incorporate a company in Dubai mainland:

  1. Select a business activity
  2. Choose a name for the company
  3. Determine an accurate legal structure
  4. Rent a physical space
  5. Obtain external approval if it is a special activity
  6. Submit all documents and pay the fee
  7. Apply for visas
  8. Open a bank account

Benefits of Getting a DET License in Dubai

Getting a DET license in Dubai offers you the following benefits:

  • The ability to trade anywhere in the UAE
  • Foreign investors can enjoy 100% ownership in their Dubai mainland company
  • Ability to choose from more than 2000 business activities in Dubai
  • Access to a wide range of customers
  • Cost-effective, compared to free zone licenses

Things to Consider Before Applying for a DET License

Even though the DET license offers exclusive advantages, you need to consider certain serious requirements as well. Some of them are listed below:

  • Physical space is mandatory to get a Dubai mainland DET license
  • Special activities (accounting, restaurant etc.) need government approvals
  • The procedures can be complex unlike the free zone business setup in Dubai
  • You will be subject to many compliance requirements and taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT) etc. (free zones offer many incentives compared to the mainland business setup in Dubai)

Hire the Best Business Setup Advisers in Dubai, UAE

A Dubai mainland business license issued by the DET is your golden ticket to high profitability and exclusive advantages. However, obtaining a mainland DET license is all about meeting the mandatory requirements and religiously following the steps. Business setup consultants in Dubai such as Jitendra Business Consultants (JBC) can help you with the licensing procedures.

JBC is one of the pioneering business setup advisers in Dubai with more than two decades of experience. We offer all kinds of business setup services in the UAE under one roof including liquidation, accounting & bookkeeping, trademark protection, corporate tax advisory etc. Hire our company formation consultants in Dubai to navigate the challenges of registering a business.

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