How to Change Your Company Activity in UAE

The Complete Guide to Changing Your Company Activity in Dubai & UAE

Companies eventually change with the times. An organization that started as a small service business may wish to pursue opportunities in trading, manufacturing, or e-commerce. To accurately reflect growth and a change of direction from a legal perspective, you may be required to amend your company activity on the trade license in Dubai or the UAE. In this way, your activity complies with regulations, and you avoid any interruptions in your operations.

At Flyingcolour Business Setup, we assist our clients in creating new companies and administering changes to their business activities easily. Whether you are adding new lines of business, changing your core services, or fine-tuning your activities to suit market demand, we can assist you. Additionally, this article explains how to change your business, what is required, and the approximate costs. 

General overview: Types of Licenses & Jurisdictions in the UAE

In the UAE, the way you change your activity totally depends on where (mainland or freezone) your business is located. Overall, here is a general outline:

Mainland (onshore) Companies: Regulated by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in the emirate where you’re located (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.)

Free Zone Companies: Each free zone (Jebel Ali Free Zone, DMCC, Sharjah, Ajman, etc.) has their own authority and licensing, and amendment rules.

Offshore Entities: Some special jurisdictions have their own rules, and usually have more restrictions when it comes to permitted activities changing.

Because every jurisdiction and free zone has its distinct regulatory structure, it is essential to consult the local authority or a business set-up consultant such as Flyingcolour® to make sure that you are following the right path forward.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Company Activity

The steps are based on your jurisdiction (the mainland or free zone) and the kinds of activity.

1. Decide What New Activity/Activities You Want to Add

You have to plan and decide which new business lines or services you would like to add. You also have to check that the business activities align with your jurisdiction, such as (commercial, professional, industrial, etc..

2. Pre-pproval or Initial Approval

You must submit a request to the relevant authority (like DED or free zone authority) for a request to change or add the activity. The authority will check if the new activity is allowed for your UAE business license.  They will also check that your activity requires approvals from any external regulators (such as an authority in the UAE or an authority outside the UAE) or if the activity requires any particular permits or licenses.

3. Prepare the Documents Required

Important documents will include the following:

• Initial or original trade license and registration certificate
• Memorandum of Association (MoA) / Articles of Association (AoA)
• The board of directors - a board resolution or resolution of the shareholders approving the change
• Any No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from an agency who would is considered to be an external agency, required
• Lease agreement or proof of premises for the business
• Updated business plan/or explanation of the new activity

4. Application for Amendment

With these documents, you will apply to amend your license or your activity. You have to fill out the applicable forms (for example, in Dubai, the form "BR1" in certain circumstances) and obtain signatures from any owners or authorized signatories.

5. Pay the Requisite fees

The Authority will charge you the amendment or licensing fee. The cost will depend on an assessment of how significant the amendment is, if the new activity is "higher risk", and your jurisdiction.

6. Get an Updated License

After the regulatory agency agrees to your amendment, they will re-issue a trade license, or amended license, that allows you to conduct business on whatever activity you applied for. You and your company can then legally conduct business as allowed by the newly amended license.

7. Inform Your Stakeholders and Update Your Business

You should notify (e.g., the bank to update KYC and records), suppliers, clients (customers), and update contracts and marketing materials to reflect the new activities you are allowed to perform.

What to Keep in Mind & Common Issues You Can Face 

If you are going to change the activity for your company in the UAE, please consider the following:

Activity Codes are Important: Business activities are assigned to specific codes. If you select a code that is incorrect or not permitted, you will experience delays in the approval process or complete rejection.

Regulated Activities / Special Approvals: There are certain sectors (for example, healthcare, food-related, education, and financial services) that will require another approval in addition to the normal approval. You may need an NOC or approval from a regulated authority.

Effect on Taxes, Corporate, or Freezone Status: Once you start doing certain activities, it may affect your tax or freezone benefits. Just be aware that your change could affect whatever tax or licensing benefits you had.

Bank Accounts & KYC: If your activity changes, your bank may request new documentation or even KYC all over again, especially if you have moved to a "higher risk" sector or changed your business sector. 

Timeframe/Downtime: Many of your operations may need to pause until the amendment has been approved. You should plan for these transitions if they occur.

All Change vs Some Change: If you are just adding a small new service (related to your operations), it is typically not as complicated. But when you amend your business completely (e.g., you are switching from trading to manufacturing), that will be more complicated. If it likely involves changing your category (commercial vs industrial, etc.), it requires additional approvals, permits, and compliance.

Estimated Costs & Timeline For Changing Your Business Activity 

1. Cost: Depending upon the complexity and/or regulated nature of the new activity or amendment. The fees for amendments or modifying the license are typically a few thousand dirhams, up to higher amounts.
2. Timeline: In most cases, assuming all documents are in order, the period typically is 1 to 2 weeks. It could be longer in some instances, and it depends on the approvals or regulatory reviews.
3. Additional fees: Legal translation, notarization, NOCs from other authorities, agency fees, coordination of other NOCs, modifying MoA/AoA, administrative fees, etc.

Best Practices and Advice to Change Your Business Activity 

1. Plan- You have to plan to change the business activity before changing the entire process. You have to do it before you scale up or commit major resources.
2. Check regulatory compliance - If your new activity relates to a regulated industry, there may be additional permits or NOCs to accommodate.
3. Don't Start With "too broad" Categories - Pick codes that align more closely with what you are doing. 
4. Do not Change Your Name if Possible - Changing your activity only (not name) is usually simpler, less disruptive, and doesn’t trigger redoing account records, banking, etc.
5. Be compliant - Once you have made the change, ensure all your activities truly align with the services allowed under the new license. 
6. Keep Backup Documents - Keep originals and proof of your approvals, simply for smooth sailing in future audits or bank checks.

How Flyingcolour Business Setup Can Assist in  Changing Your Company Activity in Dubai & UAE

At Flyingcolour Business Setup, we offer clients comprehensive support when they wish to change their company activity in Dubai or across the UAE. Here’s how we can assist: 

1. Initial consultation & confirmation

We help you to determine whether your intended activity is permissible, and to find out under which jurisdiction (mainland vs free zone) the changes are permissible. And what approvals are required, and how to evaluate the most appropriate pathway to proceed.

2. Preparation of Documentation

We assist you with drafting and updating MoA/AoA amendments, board resolutions, business plans, applications, NOCs, and all supporting documents to submit a sufficiently complete application.

3. Submission and Communication with Authorities

We undertake the submission of applications to DED or free zone authorities, communicate with relevant government entities. We will also help to obtain the appropriate codes and, if possible, we will facilitate the expedited approvals.

4. Fee Payment and Compliance Review

We advise you on fees and confirm payment of the right amounts for the services you need, and follow up so you do not overpay or get delayed because of an error. We also help confirm that your adjusted business continues to be compliant (tax, license, regulatory) after the change.

5. Notification and operational wrap-up

After approval, we help notify banks of the approval you receive, amend contracts, provide for changes to your branding or marketing (if necessary), and ensure your business alignment is as seamless as possible with the new activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About  Changing Your Company Activity in Dubai & UAE

1. Can I change the type of business after obtaining a trade license in Dubai?

Yes, you can amend a business activity. You will have to request an amendment application from the DED (for mainland) or the free zone authority, and then get approval for your new business activity. 

2. What documents do I need to change my company activity?

You will normally need a trade license, Memorandum of Association (MoA), tenancy contract, shareholder resolution, and any external approvals if required.

3. What is the timeline for the process? 

Alterations or additional activity of a company generally takes between 3 to 7 business days, depending on the approvals and/or verifications of documentation. 

4. Will Flyingcolour® assist with my activity amendment process?

Yes, we provide a full range of support, from all documentation, license alteration, and approvals,  making this a fast and easy process. 

Therefore, to learn more about changing your company activity in Dubai & UAE, Book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour Business Setup team advisors.

The article was published on 24/10/2025. It is important to note that the federal policies and updates mentioned may have changed since then. For the most current information, please contact our consultant!