Over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have shown interest in getting an eCommerce license in Dubai. According to the stats, The UAE’s eCommerce market jumped by 53% in 2020. It noted a record of $3.9 billion in eCommerce sales, constituting 10% of total retail sales.
Now, that is a huge jump. Moreover, The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry forecasts Dubai eCommerce to generate $8 billion in sales by 2025. Why? Because Dubai is technologically advanced, almost 100% of the population has internet and mobile phone access.
Therefore, if you’re planning to start a business in Dubai, why not get a UAE eCommerce license? There are various benefits and supportive government facilities for eCommerce business owners in Dubai. Given the rapid technological advancements and Dubai’s race to become a smart city soon, eCommerce businesses will earn a lot of profits in the future.
So, if you’re interested in starting an eCommerce business in Dubai, this blog is for you. It will walk you through everything, from the license application process to the required document and the cost involved. But before we get to that, let’s look at some of the major benefits of a UAE eCommerce license.
What Are the Major Benefits of an E-commerce License in Dubai?
There are various benefits of an eCommerce license in Dubai. However, only the most prominent ones are discussed here.
- No currency restrictions in the Emirates encourage global trading.
- Enjoy the autonomy to repatriate the profits and capital invested.
- Get complete ownership if you decide to start a free zone company
- Benefit from the low operational costs compared to the offline business.
- Leverage the flexibility to obtain a resident visa for 3 years
- To start an eCommerce business, you do not need a physical office. Hence, you can save overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and inventory.
- It is comparatively easier to set up an eCommerce business in Dubai than an offline setup.
- The government policies are very supportive, making setting up a business in Dubai easy.
What Are the Types of E-commerce Licenses in Dubai?
Given the benefits of an eCommerce license in Dubai, online business in Dubai has been expanding globally. Hence, it has widened the opportunities for business owners at distinct levels. So, the DED has introduced different types of e-commerce licenses.
1. E-Trader License
This one is for those who wish to provide services or sell products. Moreover, it can only be obtained by the UAE and GCC nationals. It can be obtained only under single ownership, and you cannot rent a physical office or open a shop with an e-trader account.
2. Virtual Company License
The Dubai Economy and DIFC recently launched the virtual company license. This license enables foreign investors and non-residents of the UAE to conduct commercial activities in the region.
3. Portal License
The Portal license is another one of the e-commerce licenses in Dubai that non-UAE nationals can obtain. This license enables you to do online business in Dubai. Moreover, it acts as a link between buyers and sellers.
What Are the Required Documents for Getting an eCommerce License?
Although the process to apply for a UAE eCommerce license is straightforward, gathering the documents you need to submit can be overwhelming. Here is a list of the most important documents:
- Passport copy
- Copy of visa or last page of passport (stamped)
- Passport-size photographs
In addition, you will need to gather and submit a few more documents to get your eCommerce license. To get a detailed list of the documents, you can get in touch with the business setup experts at the UAE Expansion India branch.
What Is the Process for Getting an eCommerce License in Dubai?
The process to apply for an eCommerce license in Dubai is quite simple.
- Firstly, you must decide on your company’s legal structure. Do you want it to be an LLC, sole proprietorship, public or private partnership, etc.?
- Second, you need to decide the jurisdiction. You can choose between a free zone, a mainland area, or an off-shore.
- Keeping in mind the naming rules, register your trade name. You can contact the experts at the UAE Expansion India Branch to learn about the naming rules.
- Next, you apply for initial approval. To apply for initial approval, you must submit the required documents such as Emirates ID, passport copy, visa copy, etc.
- Once you get the initial approval, submit all the necessary documents and apply for an eCommerce license. But, ensure to double-check them all before the final submission.
- If the government officials find everything in place, they will issue your eCommerce license.
- You can then pay the required eCommerce license fee and collect it from the concerned authorities.
What Is the Cost of Getting an eCommerce Business in Dubai?
Giving the exact break of all the costs involved can be challenging. Why? Because it varies from business to business. Moreover, it depends on your business activities, your office space, the number of employees, license type, etc. Therefore, to give you a rough idea, the eCommerce license in Dubai cost can be anywhere between AED 5,000 to AED 10,000.
To learn about the detailed break of the costs, you can contact the business setup experts at the UAE Expansion India branch.
Get Your E-commerce License in Dubai Through UAE Expansion
Now that you are acquainted with all the necessary information about an eCommerce license in Dubai, you can easily apply for one. Although this blog has covered all the essential information, you must contact business setup experts to get further details.
Business setup consultants at the UAE Expansion India Branch are well-versed in the license application process. Moreover, they can guide you at every step, from refining your business plan to gathering essential documents. Furthermore, they will also get the necessary permissions on your behalf and get your eCommerce license at an affordable price. All you need to do is call us, and we will take the rest.
