How to Renew Your Business License and Visa in Dubai (2025 Guide)
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If you’ve already set up your company in Dubai or are planning to do so, there’s one crucial thing you must understand: renewals. Your trade license and visa are not one-time tasks — they require annual (or biennial) maintenance.
At GenZone, we simplify this process for you. Whether it’s your business license renewal, residency visa extension, or even company dissolution, we handle everything for our clients — quickly, correctly, and with zero hidden costs.
Still, it’s important for you to understand what’s going on behind the scenes. This guide will walk you through the complete 2025 process of renewing your Dubai business license and UAE residency visa — and explain what happens if you don’t.
Part 1: Business License Renewal in Dubai
1.1 Licenses Must Be Renewed Annually (Unless You Opt for Multi-Year)
In most cases, your UAE business license (free zone or mainland) must be renewed every year. However, some free zones now offer 2-year or 3-year license packages at a discounted price:
1-Year License: Standard pricing
2-Year License: ~15% discount on license fee
3-Year License: ~20% discount on license fee
This discount only applies to the license fee, not additional charges like your establishment card or immigration fees.
If you’re planning to stay long-term, GenZone highly recommends the 2-year license as the most cost-effective and flexible option.
1.2 Can You Renew from Outside the UAE?
Yes. License renewals can be done remotely, no matter where in the world you are. You don’t need to be in Dubai or even the UAE to renew.
We handle everything online for you — from documentation to payment and submission.
1.3 What You Need to Do (If You’re a GenZone Client)
Renewing your business license through GenZone is extremely simple:
Send payment for the government fees
Sign documents (we’ll send them to you)
Receive your new trade license in 2–5 business days
That’s it. No waiting in lines, no confusion, no government portals.
We do not charge any service fee for license renewals — just the exact government fee. You pay what you would pay if you went directly to the authority (except without the hassle).
1.4 Can You Change Free Zones or Switch from Mainland to Free Zone?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot switch between free zones or mainland jurisdictions during a license renewal.
If you want to move to a different zone, you’ll need to dissolve your existing company and start a new one — which means paying all fees again.
That’s why we always tell new clients: make sure you set up in the right jurisdiction from day one. GenZone will help you choose the best free zone or mainland setup based on your exact business model.
1.5 What Happens If You Don’t Renew?
Let’s say you stop operating and don’t bother renewing your license — what then?
Here’s what happens:
Fines begin immediately: AED 2,000 per month (~USD $550)
After 3 months: You risk being marked as an absconder (a major immigration red flag)
Re-entry issues: You may face issues re-entering Dubai in the future or even during layovers
In short: Don’t ignore your renewal. If you plan to stop, formally dissolve your company. It’s not hard, but it takes around 4 weeks — so don’t delay.
1.6 Dissolution Process: Key Points
Start the process at least 2 months before your license expiry
GenZone will guide you through the formal cancellation
If you wait too long, late fines apply
1.7 Final Step After Renewal
Once your license is renewed, don’t forget to:
Upload your new license to your business bank accounts
Update government portals if needed
Ensure your systems reflect the updated expiry dates
This prevents any account freezes or service interruptions.
Part 2: Visa Renewal in Dubai
2.1 UAE Residency Visas Are Valid for 2 Years
If you hold a standard employment visa or a free zone investor visa, it’s generally valid for 2 years (not 1 year like the trade license).
Note: This doesn’t include Golden Visas or property investor visas, which may have different durations.
To confirm your visa validity, check the expiry date on your Emirates ID.
2.2 Key Difference: Visa Renewal Requires You to Be in the UAE
Unlike license renewal, your visa cannot be renewed remotely. You must be inside the UAE to do it.
Why?
Because the renewal includes:
Medical test (blood test and sometimes chest X-ray)
Emirates ID update
Possible fingerprint scan (biometrics)
2.3 When Can You Renew?
You can renew up to 6 months before your visa expires.
We strongly recommend renewing early if:
You’re already in the country and unsure of your future travel plans
Your visa will expire soon, and you might not be able to return to the UAE in time
2.4 What If You’re Outside the UAE When Your Visa Is About to Expire?
If your visa is about to expire and you’re outside the country, here’s what you need to do:
Cancel the visa from abroad
Apply for a new visa before returning to Dubai
Never enter the UAE with an expired visa — you could be denied entry or deported.
2.5 Visa Cancellation Process
This is also fully handled by GenZone.
We’ll cancel your existing visa while you’re abroad, then issue a new entry permit for you. Once you arrive in Dubai, we’ll take care of your:
Medical test
New Emirates ID
Visa stamping
This ensures you don’t have any immigration issues.
2.6 Documents Required for Visa Renewal
Here’s what you’ll need:
New passport-sized photo (white background, no white shirt, no glasses)
New medical test
Emirates ID application
Employment contract (we’ll send this)
Pro tip: Visit a professional photo studio, not a phone booth — low-quality images are often rejected.
2.7 Biometrics (Fingerprint Scan)
For most people, you do not need to do new biometrics if you’ve done it before.
Only in rare cases (system errors) would you be asked to do this again.
2.8 Medical Test Tips
To avoid delays or being turned away:
Wear normal clothing (no shorts, sleeveless shirts, or white-on-white)
Avoid weekends and Friday prayer breaks
Bring original passport and Emirates ID
Go to a GenZone-preferred medical center if possible
2.9 Cost of Visa Renewal
We charge a minimal service fee for visa renewals, since it requires in-person appointments, bookings, and typing center assistance.
However, you’re welcome to handle the government-side yourself — and we’ll still process your Emirates ID once you get the required documents.
2.10 Emirates ID Delivery
You can choose:
Home delivery (any UAE address)
Pick-up from GenZone office
International delivery (on request)
Part 3: Final Advice and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Travel with an Expired Visa
Even if your visa expires a few days before your trip, don’t risk it. Immigration can be strict. Always check your expiry dates.
Don’t Stay Out of UAE for Over 6 Months
Standard UAE employment visas become invalid if you are outside the country for 6+ consecutive months.
Always re-enter at least once every 6 months to keep your visa active.
Don’t Wait Till the Last Minute
Whether it’s a renewal or cancellation, always start the process early. Late penalties and rejections can easily be avoided with a bit of planning.
Why Clients Trust GenZone
We do the work — not a third-party agency
Transparent pricing — zero hidden fees
No renewal service fees for licenses
Minimal visa service fee, and only when needed
Support even after setup — renewals, dissolutions, accounting, taxes, and more
We’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, families, and digital nomads build and maintain their UAE presence.
Whether you’re just setting up or maintaining your business, we’re with you from start to scale.
Need Help? Book a Free Call
If you need help renewing your license or visa — or if you’re starting fresh — book a free call with our expert team.
We’ll walk you through the exact steps, costs, and everything involved — and help you avoid common pitfalls most people don’t even know about.
GenZone: Trusted by Founders. Backed by Results.
Your trusted partner in Dubai company formation, renewals, and beyond.
