The Dubai eTrader license: who can get it, what it allows and how to apply
The Dubai eTrader license lets UAE and GCC nationals in Dubai sell online from home for about AED 1,370. See what it allows and how to apply.
By the Samay.ae teamUpdated 9 min read
If you are an Emirati or a GCC national living in Dubai and you sell from home, the eTrader license is made for you. It is Dubai's home-based online business license. It lets you sell products or services through social media and online platforms, without a shop or an office.
The eTrader license in Dubai comes from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). At the time of writing (October 2026), it costs about AED 1,370. You apply on the Invest in Dubai platform, and every application needs approval from the TDRA, the UAE's telecoms and digital government regulator.
It has two big limits: you must be the only owner, and you cannot open a physical shop. If you want a license to sell on Instagram in Dubai and you qualify, this is usually the one to get.
Who can get an eTrader license in Dubai?
The eligibility rules are short. The official wording on the UAE government's e-commerce page is "UAE nationals and GCC nationals residing in Dubai". In practice, that means three things.
- You hold UAE nationality, or the nationality of another GCC country: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman or Bahrain.
- You live in Dubai.
- You will be the only owner, because partners are not allowed.
The license is issued only as a sole proprietorship. You and the business are legally the same person, so you carry full legal liability for it.
Can expats get an eTrader license?
Usually not for selling goods. News reports quoting DET say trading activities are only for UAE and GCC nationals, while some service activities may be open to residents.
Some business setup consultancies advertise a new "online seller" activity for all nationalities. This is not officially confirmed at the time of writing, so check with DET before you plan around it. If the eTrader route is closed to you, you still have options.
- A mainland trade license with an e-commerce activity, open to any nationality.
- A free zone e-commerce license from one of the zones that advertise them, such as Dubai CommerCity, IFZA or DMCC.
- Tajer Abu Dhabi, which Abu Dhabi says is open to UAE citizens and residents. Confirm your case on TAMM, Abu Dhabi's government services platform.
Our guide to every e-commerce license in the UAE compares them side by side.
What the eTrader license allows, and what it does not
Dubai launched the eTrader license in March 2017. The official Dubai.ae page on e-commerce licenses describes it as a home-based license for individuals who sell through social media and online platforms.
What you can do
- Sell online and on social media: Products or services, on Instagram, WhatsApp, online platforms or your own online store.
- Work from home: You do not need to rent a shop or an office.
- Trade under your own business name: You choose a trade name when you apply.
What you cannot do
- Open a shop: The license does not allow a physical store or showroom.
- Add partners: It allows one owner only.
- Limit your personal liability: As a sole proprietor, you are personally responsible for the business.
- Count on staff visas: Sources disagree on whether it can be used for visas. Do not plan on sponsoring staff with it, and ask DET if this matters to you.
- Sell outside your activities: Your license covers only the business activities you chose when you applied.
How much does the eTrader license cost?
According to the UAE government portal, the eTrader license costs about AED 1,370 in total.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| License fee plus Knowledge and Innovation fees | AED 1,070 |
| Dubai Chamber membership | AED 300 |
| Total | About AED 1,370 |
That works out at about AED 114 a month. The license is usually renewed every year, so budget for a similar amount each year and check the renewal fee when it is due. Fees can change, so confirm them on Invest in Dubai before you pay.
The license is only one part of your costs. The other main one is your online store. A do-it-yourself platform charges a monthly or yearly plan, and some also take a fee on each sale. A custom store, built from scratch for your business, usually costs more to build, but it has no platform plan and no platform fee on each sale. Our Website package, for example, builds a custom store for 7,870 AED a year. So your yearly fixed costs are the license, your store and a domain name (your web address). Payment fees and delivery come on top. Our online store cost guide lists every item.
How to apply for an eTrader license on Invest in Dubai
You apply online on Invest in Dubai, Dubai's platform for starting a business. The screens can change, so follow the platform's own steps. The general order is below.
- Check that you qualify. You must be a UAE or GCC national living in Dubai, and the only owner.
- Sign in to Invest in Dubai. Have your Emirates ID to hand.
- Choose your business activity. Pick the activity that matches what you will sell, such as clothing or perfumes. Your license covers only the activities on it.
- Choose a trade name. This is your business name on the license. Have a second choice ready in case the first is not approved.
- Get TDRA approval. Every eTrader license needs a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the TDRA. Follow the platform's instructions for this step.
- Pay the fees. Expect about AED 1,370, including Dubai Chamber membership.
- Receive your license. Keep a digital copy, because banks and payment providers usually ask for it.
Tip: Check your products as well as your license. In Dubai, cosmetics, perfumes and personal care products usually need registering with Dubai Municipality (its Montaji system) before sale. Food made at home and supplements also have extra rules, so check with the authority before you buy stock.
Benefits that come with an eTrader license
Dubai's media office lists three benefits on top of the right to trade.
- Dubai Chamber membership: Membership of Dubai's chamber of commerce is included in your fees.
- Access to bank facilities: This helps you run your money through a business account.
- A Customs Client Code: It lets you import and export through dubaitrade.ae, which helps if you bring in stock from abroad. Customs duty in the UAE is generally 5% of the CIF value (the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight).
DET also runs Dubai Traders, a programme launched in September 2024 with Noon and Amazon. It helps new e-commerce sellers get started, and it brought on more than 2,400 new sellers in its first year. Ask DET whether it fits your plans.
If you are weighing marketplaces against your own website, read Amazon, Noon or your own online store.
After you get your eTrader license
- Open a business bank account in your trade name. It keeps customer payments separate from your personal money.
- Set up payments. For cards and Apple Pay, you need a payment gateway (the service that takes card payments for you). Add Tabby, Tamara or cash on delivery if your customers want them. See payment gateways in the UAE.
- Move beyond DMs. Taking orders in Instagram messages gets slow as you grow. Your own store shows prices, takes payments around the clock and keeps your customer list. See why Instagram sellers need their own online store and how to start an online store in the UAE.
- Watch your tax thresholds. You must register for VAT when taxable sales plus imports go over AED 375,000 in 12 months. As a sole proprietor, read the Corporate Tax rules for individuals. Under them, business income comes into Corporate Tax only when your total business turnover goes over AED 1 million in a calendar year. If it does, you register by 31 March of the following year.
- Renew on time. The license is usually renewed once a year.
If you would like help with step 3, we design and build your store from scratch for your business, and set up payments and delivery. See our packages and prices.
eTrader license vs other licenses
| License | Who can get it | Cost guide | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| eTrader (Dubai) | UAE and GCC nationals living in Dubai | About AED 1,370, usually yearly | One owner, no shop, visas unclear |
| Tajer Abu Dhabi | UAE citizens and residents (confirm on TAMM) | About AED 1,115 for 3 years | Listed activities, no business premises |
| Eitimad (Sharjah) | UAE nationals 18+ living in Sharjah | Ask the Sharjah Economic Development Department | Cannot hire staff |
| Mainland or free zone license | Any nationality | Varies by emirate, zone and package | Costs more, and free zone companies need extra steps to sell to mainland customers |
If you qualify and sell from home, the eTrader license is usually the simplest choice in Dubai. If you need partners, a shop or staff, a mainland license is the usual next step.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. License rules and fees change, so check with DET or an adviser before you act.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the eTrader license cost?
About AED 1,370 at the time of writing. That is AED 1,070 for the license plus Knowledge and Innovation fees, and AED 300 for Dubai Chamber membership. The license is usually renewed every year, so check the current renewal fee on Invest in Dubai.
Can expats get an eTrader license in Dubai?
The official wording covers only UAE nationals and GCC nationals living in Dubai. News reports say some service activities may be open to residents. Some consultancies also advertise an activity for all nationalities, but this is not officially confirmed. Ask DET directly, and compare a mainland, free zone or Tajer Abu Dhabi license.
Can I sell on Instagram with an eTrader license?
Yes. The eTrader license is designed for people who sell products or services through social media and online platforms. Make sure the activity on your license matches what you sell. If you pay influencers to promote you, ask whether they hold the permit the UAE Media Council requires.
Can I open a shop with an eTrader license?
No. The eTrader license is home-based, and it does not allow a physical shop. If you want a shop or showroom, you need a different license, usually a mainland trade license.
How long is the eTrader license valid?
It is usually valid for one year and then renewed. Renew before it expires, because banks and payment providers may ask for a valid license. For comparison, Abu Dhabi's Tajer license is valid for three years.