Renewing on time avoids fines and blocked transactions. Use this checklist a month before your licence expires.
Why renewing on time matters
Your trade licence needs to be renewed every year. If it expires, fines can apply and other transactions — such as visa renewals — may be blocked until it is renewed.
Most renewal delays don't come from the licence itself but from something linked to it, like an expired tenancy or approval. Starting early gives you time to fix those first.
Start about a month before expiry
We recommend reviewing your licence around 30 days before the expiry date. That leaves enough time to renew anything the licence depends on.
Your renewal checklist
- Check the expiry date on your current licence.
- Make sure your Ejari or tenancy contract is valid for the renewal period.
- Confirm any external approvals linked to your activities are still valid.
- Check that partner and manager passports are valid.
- Review whether you want to add, remove or change activities.
- Settle any outstanding fines or notices.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the renewal until the last week.
- Forgetting that the Ejari must be renewed first.
- Not updating the licence after a change of partners or manager.
- Missing an approval that expired separately from the licence.
After the renewal
Once your licence is renewed, update any records that rely on it — such as your establishment card and bank — and note next year's expiry date. If you've changed activities, check whether any approvals or visas need updating too.
Let us handle it
HDC reviews your licence, checks the linked documents and submits the renewal for you — and reminds you before it's due next year.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change — contact us to confirm what applies to you.
