Guides · renewal
Licence renewal
Free zone companies in the UAE must renew their trade licence annually (or for multi-year terms where allowed) before the expiry date. The renewal process checks compliance with lease, insurance, regulatory approvals, and financial reporting requirements. Fees and penalties vary by free zone; Jafza publishes specific licence renewal fees and a late fine, while RAKEZ imposes a daily late penalty. DMCC outlines detailed renewal prerequisites but does not disclose the renewal fee amount in the provided sources.
Dates that carry a penalty
Licence expiryRenewal must be completed on or before the expiry date printed on the licence.source
Early renewal window (Jafza)Trade licence can be renewed within three months before the expiry date.source
Grace period (DMCC)The Registrar may grant a limited grace period after expiry at its discretion; failure to renew within that period may lead to suspension or termination.source
Who it applies to
All companies registered in a UAE free zone that hold a valid trade licence and wish to continue operating legally.
The rules that decide it
Licence must be renewed on or before expirysource
A DMCC Entity must renew its Licence on or before the date of expiry specified in the Licence. Operating without a valid Licence is prohibited.
Compliance prerequisites for renewalsource
DMCC requires valid third-party liability and workmen's compensation insurance, a valid lease (minimum 30 days validity), NOC from regulating authorities for regulated activities, Operational Fitness Certificate where applicable, and Certificate of Good Standing for parent companies of branches/subsidiaries.
Audited financial statements may be requiredsource
DMCC requires submission of audited financial statements and report for companies and branches, unless exempt.
No arrears conditionsource
The DMCC entity must not be in arrears for any fees, charges, fines, or penalties due to DMCCA or others in connection with its lease or freehold.
Jafza renewal prerequisitessource
Jafza requires a valid Fitness Certificate for premises (except where exempt), submission of balance sheet, and for certain activities an NOC from Dubai Maritime City or RTA.
RAKEZ document requirementssource
RAKEZ requires documents of corporate/individual shareholders, valid passport copies, application forms, renewed lease agreement (if physical facility), and NOCs from regulatory authorities.
Thresholds and rates
Jafza Trading licence renewal (Group One, up to 7 activities)source
amount not yet confirmed (official, lowest published)
Jafza Trading licence renewal (Group Two, up to 12 activities)source
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza Industrial licence renewal (Group One)source
amount not yet confirmed (official, lowest published)
Jafza Industrial licence renewal (Group Two)source
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza Industrial licence renewal (third tier)source
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza National Industries licence renewal (Group One)source
amount not yet confirmed (official, lowest published)
Jafza National Industries licence renewal (Group Two)source
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza National Industries licence renewal (third tier)source
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza Service licence renewalsource
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza General Trading licence renewalsource
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza Logistics licence renewalsource
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza Holding licence renewalsource
amount not yet confirmed (official)
Jafza additional activity fee (beyond included limit)source
amount not yet confirmed per additional activity (official)
Jafza three-year renewal fee (eligible plot lease customers)source
amount not yet confirmed per licence type (official flat fee for three-year term)
RAKEZ late renewal penaltysource
amount not yet confirmed per day from licence expiry date (official)
Penalties
Step by step
Step 1source
Log in to the DMCC Member Portal.
Step 2source
Navigate to 'Company Services' > 'Licence Services'.
Step 3source
Select 'Apply for Licence renewal'.
Step 4source
Choose the licence to renew and the renewal term (1, 2, 3, or 5 years if eligible).
Step 5source
Submit the completed application and pay the required fees.
Step 6source
Application is processed by DMCC; you will be notified when the renewed e-Licence is ready to download.
Step 1source
Apply for licence renewal service request through Portal 360.
Common mistakes
Failing to maintain a valid lease with at least 30 days remaining at the time of renewal.
Letting mandatory insurance policies (third-party liability, workmen's compensation) lapse.
Not obtaining or renewing required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from regulatory authorities for regulated activities.
Submitting renewal without a valid Operational Fitness Certificate where required.
For branches/subsidiaries, not providing a current Certificate of Good Standing for the parent company.
Ignoring arrears: unpaid fees, fines, or penalties can block renewal.
Assuming a grace period is automatic, it is discretionary and may not be granted.
Free zone specifics
DMCC allows licence renewal for 2, 3, or 5 years, except for companies with industrial and certain regulated activities.
Jafza permits three-year renewal only for customers holding plot leases with more than 3 years' validity, at a flat fee of amount not yet confirmed per licence type.
RAKEZ charges a daily late penalty of amount not yet confirmed from the expiry date, plus potential third-party fines on immigration files and Chamber of Commerce membership.
Jafza imposes a flat amount not yet confirmed fine for delay in renewing an expired licence.
DMCC requires audited financial statements for renewal (unless exempt), a condition not explicitly mentioned for Jafza or RAKEZ in the provided sources.
UAQ FTZ licences are issued for one year and must be renewed annually; business cannot be conducted with an expired licence.
Questions the guide answers
Can I renew my free zone licence for more than one year?
It depends on the free zone. DMCC allows renewal for 2, 3, or 5 years, except for industrial and certain regulated activities. Jafza permits a three-year renewal only for customers with plot leases and more than 3 years' validity, at a flat fee of amount not yet confirmed per licence type. Other free zones may only offer annual renewal.
What happens if I miss the licence expiry date?
You may be granted a discretionary grace period (e.g., DMCC), but penalties will apply. Jafza charges a flat amount not yet confirmed fine for delay; RAKEZ charges amount not yet confirmed per day. Continued non-renewal can lead to licence suspension or termination.
What documents are typically required for renewal?
Common requirements include a valid lease (minimum 30 days validity), insurance policies (third-party liability, workmen's compensation), NOCs from regulatory authorities for regulated activities, and for branches/subsidiaries a Certificate of Good Standing for the parent company. DMCC also requires audited financial statements unless exempt.
Are there any activities that cannot be renewed for multiple years?
Yes. DMCC states that companies with industrial and certain regulated activities cannot apply for two-, three-, or five-year licence renewal. Jafza's three-year renewal is limited to plot lease customers.
What the research does not settle
- DMCC licence renewal fee amount not found in provided sources.
- Penalty amount for late renewal in DMCC not specified (only 'sanction' and 'penalties will apply').
- Renewal fees for RAKEZ, DDA, ATLP, UAQ FTZ, Expo City Dubai, and DWTC free zones not provided.
- Grace period duration (number of days) not quantified for any free zone.
- Specific late penalty for DDA, ATLP, UAQ FTZ, Expo City Dubai, and DWTC not found.
- Jafza three-year renewal fee of amount not yet confirmed per licence type appears to be a flat fee, but it is unclear if this replaces or is in addition to the annual licence fee; source states 'Three years’ charges will be amount not yet confirmed for each license Type.'
Sources
DMCC Entity means a Company or a Branch;https://dmcc.ae/hubfs/Compliance%20Documents%202024/Licensing%20Rules-%20Final.pdf?hsLang=enread 2026-10-20
dmcc.aehttps://dmcc.ae/hubfs/o2-Website%202023%20Assets/o2-Website%202023-PDF%20Updates%20(Nov%2023read 2026-10-20
FREE ZONE - LICENCE RENEWAL CHECKLISThttps://rakez.com/upload/managedocument/checklist-licence-renewal-free-zone_20200408145636.pdfread 2026-10-20
Renew License | Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/renew-license/read 2026-10-20