Step 1: Check Licence Eligibility

First, review your current licence type — commercial, professional, or industrial — and the activities it covers. Only activities compatible with your licence category can be added. For example, a trading company can add more trading activities, but moving into manufacturing may require an industrial licence.

Step 2: Seek Approval from the Licensing Authority

Submit a request to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) for mainland companies, or the relevant free zone authority if you operate in a free zone. You will need to provide:

• A copy of your current trade licence
• Passport and Emirates ID of the owner or authorised signatory
• A list of the new activities you want to add

Some specialised activities may require additional approvals from other government authorities.

Step 3: Update Company Documents

Once approved, your licence and other official documents such as the Memorandum of Association (MOA) or company registration must be updated to reflect the new activities. This ensures legal compliance and allows you to operate without issues.

Step 4: Pay the Required Fees

Adding new activities to a UAE trade licence usually comes with a fee. Costs vary depending on the activity type and jurisdiction. Free zone authorities may charge a flat fee, while mainland authorities may base fees on the complexity or risk level of the new activity.

Step 5: Update Visa and Office Requirements if Needed

Some activities may require changes to your office space or visa allocation. For example, certain professional or industrial activities might need larger premises or additional employee visas.