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Proxima Eight FZE LLC
23rd Floor, Anantara Downtown Business Tower, Business Bay, Dubai - UAE
How to Change Your Business Activity on a UAE Trade License
2026
Updated: April 2026
Your business has evolved. Maybe you're adding a new service line, pivoting your model, or finally formalising what you've been doing for months. Whatever the reason - operating under the wrong activity code is a compliance risk. Here's how to fix it properly.
Why This Matters More Than People Realise
Your trade license doesn't just describe what you do - it defines what you're legally permitted to do. If your actual business activity doesn't match what's listed on your license, you're technically operating outside your licensed scope.
In practice this means: banks can flag inconsistencies during KYC reviews, auditors will note the mismatch, and if the FTA identifies a discrepancy between your activity and your VAT or Corporate Tax filings, it can trigger penalties. The UAE tax authority imposes an AED 5,000 fine - and AED 10,000 for repeat violations - if you fail to notify them of certain business changes in time.
The amendment process itself is straightforward. The risk is in not doing it.
Your trade license doesn't just describe what you do - it defines what you're legally permitted to do. If your actual business activity doesn't match what's listed on your license, you're technically operating outside your licensed scope.
In practice this means: banks can flag inconsistencies during KYC reviews, auditors will note the mismatch, and if the FTA identifies a discrepancy between your activity and your VAT or Corporate Tax filings, it can trigger penalties. The UAE tax authority imposes an AED 5,000 fine - and AED 10,000 for repeat violations - if you fail to notify them of certain business changes in time.
The amendment process itself is straightforward. The risk is in not doing it.
Two Types of Change - Know Which You Need
Adding or swapping activities means modifying the activity codes listed on your existing license. You keep the same legal entity, same trade name, same bank account. This is the most common scenario - and it doesn't require cancelling or re-applying for a new license.
Changing your license category (e.g. from a Professional license to a Commercial license) is a more significant amendment that may require structural changes to your entity. If you're not sure which category you currently hold or which you need, Proxima Eight can assess this before you begin.
Adding or swapping activities means modifying the activity codes listed on your existing license. You keep the same legal entity, same trade name, same bank account. This is the most common scenario - and it doesn't require cancelling or re-applying for a new license.
Changing your license category (e.g. from a Professional license to a Commercial license) is a more significant amendment that may require structural changes to your entity. If you're not sure which category you currently hold or which you need, Proxima Eight can assess this before you begin.
Mainland Process (DET Dubai)
Log in to the DET Now app or businessregistration.ded.ae using your UAE Pass credentials. Navigate to your active license and select "Amend License", then choose the amendment type - add activity, remove activity, or both.
Use the DET activity search to identify the correct activity code by keyword. Each activity shows its fee tier and any external approval requirements. You can add multiple activities in a single amendment request - submit them together to pay a single processing fee rather than separate applications per activity.
Documents typically required
Original trade license, tenancy contract (Ejari), passport copies of all shareholders, and - if the new activity falls under a regulated sector - an external approval or NOC from the relevant authority.
Regulated sectors requiring external approval
Cost and timeline
Mainland amendment fees typically range between AED 1,000 and AED 3,500, depending on the number of activities and whether external approvals are required. For most standard amendments, many are approved within 1â3 business days. In person at a DET service centre, the process can be completed the same day.
Log in to the DET Now app or businessregistration.ded.ae using your UAE Pass credentials. Navigate to your active license and select "Amend License", then choose the amendment type - add activity, remove activity, or both.
Use the DET activity search to identify the correct activity code by keyword. Each activity shows its fee tier and any external approval requirements. You can add multiple activities in a single amendment request - submit them together to pay a single processing fee rather than separate applications per activity.
Documents typically required
Original trade license, tenancy contract (Ejari), passport copies of all shareholders, and - if the new activity falls under a regulated sector - an external approval or NOC from the relevant authority.
Regulated sectors requiring external approval
- Healthcare
- Food and beverage
- Education
- Financial services
- Certain professional activities
Cost and timeline
Mainland amendment fees typically range between AED 1,000 and AED 3,500, depending on the number of activities and whether external approvals are required. For most standard amendments, many are approved within 1â3 business days. In person at a DET service centre, the process can be completed the same day.
Freezone Process
Each freezone has its own portal and fee schedule, but the core logic is the same: submit an amendment request, provide supporting documents, pay the amendment fee, receive an updated license.
Main practical differences from mainland:
Timeline: most activity amendments take 3 to 7 business days depending on the approvals and documentation required.
Each freezone has its own portal and fee schedule, but the core logic is the same: submit an amendment request, provide supporting documents, pay the amendment fee, receive an updated license.
Main practical differences from mainland:
- No Ejari requirement - office or flexi-desk documentation from the zone itself suffices
- Some freezones process amendments faster than DET; DIFC and ADGM have more involved approval processes
- DMCC specifically requires the amended activity to fall within permitted categories for that zone
Timeline: most activity amendments take 3 to 7 business days depending on the approvals and documentation required.
The Step People Most Often Skip: FTA Notification
Once your license is updated, you are required to notify the FTA. Any change in business activity must be updated with the Federal Tax Authority within 20 working days. Missing this update can lead to administrative penalties under VAT regulations.
This applies whether you're VAT-registered or not - if you're registered, the FTA needs to know your activity profile has changed. The same 20-day window applies to Corporate Tax registration updates if the activity change affects your tax grouping.
Once your license is updated, you are required to notify the FTA. Any change in business activity must be updated with the Federal Tax Authority within 20 working days. Missing this update can lead to administrative penalties under VAT regulations.
This applies whether you're VAT-registered or not - if you're registered, the FTA needs to know your activity profile has changed. The same 20-day window applies to Corporate Tax registration updates if the activity change affects your tax grouping.
Yes. Under a single mainland trade license, you can hold up to 10 related activities as long as they fall under the same license category. Submitting them together in a single amendment request saves time and reduces fees compared to separate applications. For freezone companies, activity limits vary by zone.
Some activities cannot be added to an existing license - they require a separate license entirely, or a change of legal structure.
Common examples:
In these cases, the amendment process alone is insufficient. Proxima Eight can advise on whether your intended activity requires a structural change and what the most efficient path looks like.
Common examples:
- Adding a regulated financial activity to a general trading license
- Adding a healthcare or pharmaceutical activity requiring DHA or MOH approval
- Moving from a service-only Professional license to include trading activities
In these cases, the amendment process alone is insufficient. Proxima Eight can advise on whether your intended activity requires a structural change and what the most efficient path looks like.
For mainland amendments with no external approvals required, typically 1â3 business days. For freezone amendments, 3â7 business days. Add 2â4 weeks if an external regulatory approval is needed.
For mainland LLCs, adding activities that materially change the company's scope typically requires a MOA amendment, which must be notarised. Sole Establishments generally do not require a MOA update. Freezone requirements vary by zone.
Not directly - the account stays open. However, your bank will eventually request updated license and KYC documents at renewal. Update the bank proactively once your new license is issued.
No. Operating outside your licensed scope before the amendment is finalised is a compliance violation. Wait for the updated license before beginning new activity.
Fixed fee, quoted after a brief assessment of your current license status and the activity changes required. Initial consultation is free.