Fastest licence to issue
With no physical premises inspection required, e-commerce licences often clear within a week.
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- Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
SERVICE · LICENSING
E-commerce License
Sell online across the UAE and internationally — an e-commerce licence covers digital sales through your website, app or social media, with no physical retail space required.
At a glance
- 3–7 working daysTypical timeline
- Online-only tradingNo physical retail store needed
- Flexi-desk eligibleLow overhead to start
- 100% foreign ownershipOn most free zone e-commerce licences
Overview
What an e-commerce licence covers
An e-commerce licence covers the sale of goods and services entirely through digital channels — your own website, a marketplace, an app or social media — without requiring a physical retail location. It is one of the fastest and lowest-overhead licences to set up, popular across UAE free zones and available mainland through DED’s e-trader variant.
The activity still needs correct classification — general e-commerce, dropshipping, digital goods and marketplace-only selling can carry different requirements depending on the authority.
Activity classification for your specific online sales model
Trade name reservation and initial approval
Flexi-desk or virtual office arrangement
Licence issuance and Chamber of Commerce registration
Bank account and payment gateway introduction
Benefits
Why an e-commerce licence fits online sellers
No retail space needed
Operate from a flexi-desk or virtual office instead of leasing a physical shop.
Full foreign ownership
Most free zone e-commerce licences carry 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor.
Sell across borders
Trade with customers across the UAE and internationally under one licence.
Payment gateway ready
A registered e-commerce licence is what payment processors and marketplaces require to onboard you.
Low starting overhead
Minimal premises and staffing requirements keep first-year costs down.
Who this is for
Online retailers, dropshippers, digital product sellers and marketplace-based businesses selling through a website, app or social media rather than a physical store.
Requirements & Process
What you’ll need, and how we run it
Documents & eligibility
The file is light — most of what registrars ask for confirms your actual online sales model and where your goods or services are fulfilled from.
Passport copies for all shareholders, valid at least six months
Passport-size photographs against a white background
Three proposed trade names in order of preference
A description of your products or services and primary sales channel (website, app, marketplace, social media)
Details of fulfilment method — self-stocked, dropshipping or third-party warehousing
No Objection Certificate from a current UAE sponsor, where applicable
Flexi-desk or virtual office agreement for the licensed address
Additional documents may be required depending on the specific goods sold and the free zone or authority chosen. We confirm the exact list for your case before any fee is paid.
How it works
The 5-stage process
With no premises inspection required, most e-commerce licences complete within three to seven working days.
01
Activity classification
We confirm the correct e-commerce activity code for your specific sales and fulfilment model.
1 working day02
Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the licensing authority.
1 working day03
Flexi-desk arrangement
A compliant flexi-desk or virtual office address is arranged to satisfy the licensing requirement.
1 working day04
Licence issuance
The e-commerce trade licence is issued once fees are settled.
1–2 working days05
Bank and payment setup
We introduce you to banks and payment gateways suited to online sales activity.
3–7 working daysGet your online store licensed
Tell us what you sell and where — a senior consultant confirms the right e-commerce structure and quote in writing, usually within the hour.
Free consultation
Exact cost in writing
Response in under 5 minutes
Related services
- Commercial License
- Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE
- VAT Registration
- Corporate Bank Account Opening in the UAE
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