E-Trader licence in Dubai

A low-cost DET permit for individuals selling online from home — typically through social media channels — without a shop, an office or a company structure. Cheap, quick, and deliberately limited.

Low cost

The cheapest legitimate DET route

Home-based

No premises required

Limited scope

No visas, no staff, no shopfront

Coverage

What this licence covers

What to know

Four things that affect your application

Eligibility is restricted

The E-Trader licence has historically been available to UAE and GCC nationals, with defined arrangements for residents in some categories. Confirm your eligibility before planning around it.

It does not sponsor visas

An E-Trader permit does not give you residency and cannot sponsor staff or family. If you need a visa, you need a company.

You trade in your own name

There is no separate legal entity, so there is no liability separation between you and the business.

Upgrade when you grow

Once you need staff, a shopfront, a corporate bank account or residency, convert to a proper licence. We handle the transition.

Process

How we handle it

Activity confirmation

We map what you do to the DET activity codes that sit under this licence type and confirm the fee band before quoting.

Name and initial approval

Trade name reservation and initial approval, with any external regulator submissions identified and started in parallel.

Documentation and premises

Memorandum drafting and notarisation where required, plus the tenancy or office arrangement your licence type demands.

Issuance and immigration file

Licence issued, establishment card opened, and residence visa applications started for whoever needs them.

Questions

Questions about this licence

Can an expatriate get an E-Trader licence?

Eligibility has been limited, with the core route aimed at UAE and GCC nationals and defined arrangements for certain residents. Rules change, so check the current position before committing. If you are not eligible, a zero-visa free zone licence is usually the closest practical alternative.

Does an E-Trader licence allow a corporate bank account?

Generally you operate through a personal or sole-trader account rather than a full corporate account. This is one of the more common reasons E-Trader holders upgrade to a company licence once volumes grow.

How long does it take to get this licence?

For standard activities with complete documents, seven to fifteen working days on the mainland. Activities requiring external regulator approval take longer, and we tell you how much longer before you commit to a timeline.

What does Emirates Business Lounge charge?

Our fee is quoted for your file, separately from the government fees. Two packages have published prices, from AED 10,620. See company formation cost for the full picture.

Free consultation

Is this the right licence for you?

Describe your business in a sentence. We will confirm the licence type, the activity codes, the fee band and whether any regulator needs to approve you first.

+971 52 222 2594

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Visit the office

B1 Mall, Shop 3, Opposite Mall of the Emirates