How can I transfer my UAE professional license when I move to a new emirate and update my business address?

If your trade license is issued by a specific Emirate (for example, Dubai), you are permitted to conduct business activities across all Emirates in the UAE. However, it is not legally possible to officially update or relocate your registered address to another Emirate. The Ejari (tenancy contract) must be issued within the same Emirate where the license is registered. Relocation to another Emirate can only be done by applying for a branch license or establishing a subsidiary company in that Emirate. If your license is issued under a free zone entity, we can assist you with the company transfer process.

You usually can't “transfer” a professional licence from one emirate to another. In the UAE, professional licences are issued emirate-wise. So if you’ve moved to a different emirate, the authority there won’t simply transfer your existing licence.

What usually happens instead

- If you moved within the same emirate: You just update the business address on your licence (no new licence needed).
- If you moved to a new emirate: You’ll normally need to either open a branch in the new emirate or cancel the old licence and apply for a new one there.

Documents you’ll typically need

- New tenancy/office contract
- Current trade licence
- Passport & Emirates ID
- Any activity-specific approvals (if required)

Timeline & fees

- Address update (same emirate): usually a few days
- New licence or branch in another emirate: 1–3 weeks, depending on approvals and office setup

Do you need a lawyer?

Not always. Simple cases can be handled through PRO services. Legal help is useful if there are approvals, partners, visa issues, or a clean licence cancellation involved.

At Farahat & Co, we help businesses choose the cleanest option so you don’t lose time or face compliance issues. If you want, we can quickly review your situation and tell you the best route.

If you move to a different emirate, updating your professional license depends on where your company is registered and where you plan to operate. If you remain in the same emirate (for example, Dubai mainland), you usually amend the license to update the business address and tenancy contract, and the authority requires you to update the address before operating from the new location to avoid penalties. If you move to another emirate, the license generally cannot be transferred; each emirate has its own licensing authority, so you may need to cancel the existing license and obtain a new one, or set up a branch in the new emirate. Documents commonly required include updated tenancy contract / Ejari; current trade license copy; passport and Emirates ID copies; NOC or approvals (if applicable); updated MOA or corporate documents. Timeline and costs: address amendment typically takes about 1–3 working days (mainland); fees vary by emirate and license type (often AED 500–2,000+ for amendments); new license setup may take 1–3+ weeks depending on approvals. Do you need a lawyer? Not always, but professional assistance helps ensure compliance, approvals, and smooth relocation—especially when changing emirates or restructuring. At HHS Lawyers, we assist businesses with license amendments, relocation compliance, and regulatory approvals. You can also claim a free 15-minute consultation with our expert by sending your enquiry on WhatsApp.