How to add activities in trade license means officially updating your UAE business license to include new services or products you plan to offer. In simple terms it is the formal process of expanding what your company is legally allowed to do.
For many startups and established companies this is the quickest way to grow without opening a new entity. In this guide you will learn how to add activities in trade license the practical way, including what to prepare, which authority is involved and how to avoid common rejection reasons.
The steps below are written for business owners, partners and managers who want a clear checklist for Dubai and the wider UAE, with notes on mainland and free zone cases.
Adding activities to a UAE trade license (step by step)
Why adding activities matters for compliance
Before you market a new service or sign contracts in a new line of work it is worth confirming that your license actually covers it. When you understand how to add activities in trade license you reduce compliance risk and keep your invoicing, bank onboarding and corporate records aligned with your real operations.
In practice adding an activity is also a common requirement when you apply for certain permits, hire staff under specific job roles or update partner agreements.
Step 1: Confirm your jurisdiction and licensing authority
How to add activities in trade license starts with one question: is your company mainland or free zone?
- Dubai mainland companies usually process activity updates through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- Free zone companies typically apply through their specific free zone authority.
If your company operates in Dubai, an authorised service partner like Arabian business center can help confirm the correct channel before anything is submitted.
Step 2: Choose the exact activity name and category
Most delays happen because the requested activity does not match the official activity list or it is placed under the wrong category. This is where “add business activities” becomes more than a simple request, it becomes a classification task.
When you prepare how to add activities in trade license be ready to define:
- The activity you want to add (exact wording matters)
- Whether it is commercial, professional or industrial (depends on the authority)
- Whether it conflicts with your current activities
Step 3: Check if external approvals are required
Some sectors require additional approvals from regulators or specialist departments before DET or a free zone will accept the license modification. This is common in areas like education, healthcare, transport, financial services and certain tourism activities.
A good trade license amendment plan includes verifying these approvals early so you do not submit a complete application that still cannot move forward.
Step 4: Prepare the documents for the activity amendment
Exact requirements vary by jurisdiction and company structure. Still most applications for a trade license amendment rely on a consistent set of business documents.
Here is a practical reference table you can use as a pre-submission checklist.
| Step in the Process | What You May Need (Examples) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Verify company details | Existing trade license copy; shareholder details; manager details | Ensures your request is linked to the correct legal entity |
| Request activity update | Proposed activity name and description | Aligns with the DET or free zone approved activity list |
| Supporting approvals | NOC (if applicable); regulator approval letter (if applicable) | Some activities cannot be added without prior clearance |
| Legal updates (if required) | MOA amendment or side agreement (case dependent) | May be required when the scope of business changes |
| Address and compliance alignment | Lease details or facility details (case dependent) | Helps keep licensing and compliance records consistent |
If you want the paperwork typed and verified by a team that handles government submissions daily, a Typing Centre in Dubai can reduce avoidable errors.
Step 5: Submit the request through the correct channel
How to add activities in trade license is usually submitted through the online portal or an authorised service channel depending on your case. Many businesses prefer an assisted route when they have multiple activities or when external approvals are involved.
For Dubai-based companies an experienced typing center can handle data entry carefully so the activity wording matches what the authority expects.
Step 6: Track status and respond to clarification requests
After submission the authority may request clarifications. These are not always rejections, they are often requests to adjust activity wording, upload clearer documents or add a missing approval.
This step is where a good activity amendment workflow saves time. Instead of resubmitting from scratch you respond quickly with the exact update required.
If you prefer assisted follow-up, a typing center dubai support team can help monitor updates and coordinate required corrections.
Step 7: Update related company records after approval
Completing how to add activities in trade license is not the final step. Once the updated license is issued, you should align related records so your business stays consistent across systems.
Common post-approval updates include:
- Updating corporate profiles used for onboarding and supplier registration
- Aligning invoicing descriptions with the new licensed activity
- Reviewing whether any permits, immigration or establishment records need updating (case dependent)
Many companies also combine an activity update with Trade license renewal when timelines overlap, especially if documents need refreshing.
Common mistakes to avoid when you add activities
Even when you know how to add activities in trade license small issues can slow down the outcome.
Using a non-standard activity name
Authorities rely on approved lists. If you use a marketing phrase instead of the official activity title your request can come back for correction.
Skipping approval checks
A free zone authority or DET may accept your submission but still pause issuance until an external approval is attached.
Not aligning legal documents when required
Some license modification cases require a MOA amendment or partner resolution depending on your structure and scope change. Getting this wrong is a common reason for back and forth.
When to use a UAE typing center for activity changes
How to add activities in trade license can be straightforward for a single low-risk activity. It becomes more sensitive when you add multiple activities, switch categories or need approvals.
A trusted UAE typing center can help by validating documents, typing applications accurately and keeping the submission consistent with authority requirements. Arabian Business Centre also supports businesses that want a single point of coordination across government transactions.
Conclusion
How to add activities in trade license is about matching your real business expansion with the correct licensed scope, getting approvals right and submitting clean documents through the proper authority. If you want hands-on support from a Typing Centre in Dubai that handles business licensing changes daily, Arabian business center can assist with the full activity amendment workflow from document checking to tracking. To get started, contact us
Frequently Asked Questions
You typically select the activity from the official list then submit an activity amendment request to the relevant licensing authority along with required supporting documents.
Yes in many cases you can add more than one activity as long as they are permitted together and any required external approvals are provided.
The steps are similar but the request is usually handled by the free zone authority and the approved activity list can differ from mainland.
Requirements vary but you often need a current license copy, company details and any approvals or NOC required for the activity.
Timelines depend on the authority, the activity type and whether external approvals are needed. Clarification requests can extend the process.
