Commercial Brokers License: Cost, Documents & Timeline 2026
Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.
A Commercial Brokers License in UAE is often chosen for deal-making and intermediary activity, but the scope needs to be defined carefully. The important issue is what kind of brokerage role the company will actually perform, how transactions are introduced, and whether the chosen activity wording matches the real revenue model. A cleaner setup usually comes from narrowing the brokerage scope early instead of using a broad label that creates mismatch later.
Who Should Consider a Commercial Brokers License (UAE)?
- Lean founders validating demand
- SMEs expanding services or adding a new revenue line
- Operators formalizing existing work under a UAE entity
What You Can and Cannot Do
Commercial brokerage scope should be aligned with the exact intermediary activity being carried out, including introductions, sourcing, representation, or transaction support. Some sector-specific brokerage work may require different wording or additional permissions.
How Much Does a Commercial Brokers License Cost?
For a Commercial Brokers License, expect AED 5,750 - 28,000 in a free zone and AED 14,000 - 28,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 5-10 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-zone licence (year one) | AED 5,750 - 28,000 | Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end |
| Mainland licence (year one) | AED 14,000 - 28,000 | Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off, needed before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee, plus deposit on mainland |
| Ejari tenancy (mainland only) | from AED 15,000 / year | Not required for a free-zone flexi desk |
| Corporate tax registration | No fee | 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000 |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.
Approvals you should budget time for
Usually none beyond the trade licence. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.
Cost depends on jurisdiction, office setup, staffing plan, and whether the activity stays within a general brokerage model or touches a more regulated commercial niche.
Good to know
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
- Visa quota scales with office size
Watch out
- Choosing the wrong jurisdiction for your sales model
- Under-budgeting immigration items (establishment card, visas)
- Missing activity-specific technical approvals
How to Get Started
- Pick jurisdiction
- Initial approval
- Draft brokerage agreements
- License issuance
- Onboard clients
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
- Current visa/entry status
- 2 to 3 preferred trade names
- Brief scope & staffing plan
Commercial Brokers License (UAE) FAQs
Is a physical office mandatory for Commercial Brokers License (UAE)?
Many Free Zones allow flexi/shared packages. Mainland may require Ejari depending on visas and the activity.
How many visas can I start with?
Commonly 1 to 4 at the start, subject to office allocation and immigration rules.
What is included in the base cost?
Trade license and core company docs. Immigration items (establishment card, status change, medical, Emirates ID) may be bundled or itemized.
Planning your UAE setup?
Free tools and guides to set up the right way:
- Estimate your cost with the calculator
- How to start a business (step-by-step)
- Compare UAE free zones · Cheapest free zones
- Free zone vs mainland · Corporate tax
- How many visas your licence gives you
- Establishment card — cost and renewal
- Dubai customs code for importing and exporting
- Does your activity need external approval?
Last updated: October 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.