How to Add a Physical Activity to Your UAE Free Zone Licence 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide
UAE free zone company owners sometimes need to add physical or trading activities to their existing service licence. Here is the complete 2026 step-by-step guide.
In this guide:
Why You Might Need to Add a Physical Activity
- Business expansion: Your consulting company now wants to also sell physical goods
- Bank requirement: Some UAE banks ask for a trading activity on licence to open a trade finance account
- Client requirement: Some clients want to see specific activities on your trade licence
Step-by-Step: Adding an Activity to Your Free Zone Licence
- Step 1: Log in to your free zone portal (e.g., IFZA dashboard, SHAMS portal, RAKEZ portal)
- Step 2: Navigate to “Licence Amendments” or “Business Activities”
- Step 3: Select the activity you want to add from the free zone activity list
- Step 4: Pay the amendment fee (typically AED 500-2,000 depending on free zone)
- Step 5: Submit application; wait for approval (1-5 working days)
- Step 6: Download updated trade licence showing new activity
Activity Restrictions to Watch For
- Regulated activities: Adding financial services, healthcare, or food activities may require additional approvals
- DED approval: For some activities, DED (Department of Economic Development) mainland approval may be needed
- Physical office requirement: Some free zones require a physical office for certain activities (e.g., storage, manufacturing)
Cost
- Typical: AED 500-2,000 per new activity; varies by free zone
- New trade licence issue: Included or small additional fee