Renewing a business licence in Dubai often requires businesses to keep their tenancy and company records current. For companies operating from rented premises, an updated Ejari can form an important part of maintaining consistent business documentation.
This guide explains Ejari for license renewal, how Ejari for trade license renewal works, what businesses should prepare, and the key Ejari Renewal Requirements for Trade License applications.
What Is Ejari for License Renewal?
Ejari is Dubai’s system for registering tenancy contracts. Dubai Land Department provides services for registering and renewing tenancy contracts through the Ejari system, Dubai REST and Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
For a company operating from leased commercial premises, keeping the tenancy registration current can help maintain consistency between the company’s premises documentation and its other business records.
It is important to understand that Ejari renewal and trade licence renewal are separate processes. Renewing an Ejari does not itself renew a trade licence. Businesses should check the requirements of the relevant licensing authority separately.
Why Is Ejari Relevant to Trade License Renewal?
A company’s trade licence contains information relating to its registered business activities and business details, while Ejari records the tenancy contract for the premises.
For businesses using rented premises, these records may need to remain consistent.
Dubai Land Department’s tenancy guidance identifies a copy of the trade licence where the tenant is a company, with details such as the trade name, licence number, expiry date and company address checked against the lease information.
This makes keeping the tenancy and company information accurate an important administrative step.
What Is Ejari for Trade License Renewal?
Ejari for trade license renewal generally refers to maintaining or renewing the registered tenancy documentation associated with a business premises when a company is preparing its licence-related administrative requirements.
The two services should not be treated as one transaction:
- Ejari renewal: concerns the tenancy contract.
- Trade licence renewal: concerns the company’s business licence.
- Company records: should contain consistent information where the premises are relevant.
Businesses should therefore determine which documents are required by their specific licensing authority before beginning the renewal process.
What Are the Ejari Renewal Requirements for Trade License?
The exact requirements can depend on the application channel and the parties involved.
Dubai Land Department currently lists the following for Ejari registration or renewal:
For the Dubai REST App:
- Copy of the Unified Tenancy Contract.
For Real Estate Services Trustee Centres:
- Original Unified Tenancy Contract.
- Emirates ID of the applicant.
- Official Power of Attorney where the applicant is acting as a representative.
For companies, additional business documentation may be relevant depending on the specific procedure. DLD’s tenancy guidance identifies the company’s trade licence as relevant documentation when the tenant is a company.
Always verify the current requirements before submitting an application.
What Is the Unified Tenancy Contract?
The Unified Tenancy Contract is the standard tenancy contract used for Ejari registration.
Dubai Land Department provides an official Unified Ejari Tenancy Contract template through its website.
Before renewal, businesses should check that the information in the tenancy contract corresponds with the current company and property details.
Can Ejari Renewal Be Done Online?
Yes. Dubai Land Department currently provides Ejari registration and renewal through its digital channels, including the Ejari system and Dubai REST.
The general online process is:
- Log in to the Ejari system or Dubai REST.
- Select the relevant tenancy registration or renewal service.
- Enter the required information.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Wait for the application to be reviewed.
- Receive the e-Contract Registration Certificate after approval.
The appropriate online route depends on the applicant and the applicable service conditions.
Can a Company Renew Ejari Directly?
The registration route depends on the company’s role and eligibility.
Dubai Land Department states that companies using the Ejari system must be licensed for one of the property-management activities specified by the applicable regulations. Owners, real estate companies and authorised representatives can access the system under the relevant conditions.
A normal business tenant should therefore check whether it is eligible to use the Ejari system directly or whether the transaction should be completed through another approved channel.
Can a Tenant Initiate Ejari Registration or Renewal?
Yes, a tenant can initiate an Ejari request in applicable circumstances.
Dubai Land Department states that a tenant can initiate registration through Dubai REST, but landlord approval is required for completion.
Businesses should therefore ensure that the landlord and tenancy information are correctly reflected before submitting the request.
What Is the Ejari Renewal Process?
The process can generally be organised into the following stages.
1. Check the Current Tenancy
Review the existing tenancy contract and its expiry date.
2. Confirm Company Details
Check the company name, trade licence information and registered premises details.
3. Prepare the Renewed Contract
Ensure the Unified Tenancy Contract contains accurate information.
4. Select the Appropriate Ejari Channel
Depending on the circumstances, the available channels include the DLD Ejari system, Dubai REST and Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
5. Submit the Application
Enter the required information and provide the requested documentation.
6. Pay Applicable Fees
Complete the payment required for the selected service channel.
7. Wait for Approval
The submitted application is reviewed through the relevant system.
8. Receive the Certificate
After successful approval, the e-Contract Registration Certificate is issued.
How Much Does Ejari Renewal Cost?
Dubai Land Department currently publishes the following fee structure for the Dubai REST App or DLD website:
- AED 100 registration fee
- AED 10 knowledge fee
- AED 10 innovation fee
- AED 55 service partner fee
- AED 2.75 VAT on the service partner fee
The published online total is AED 177.75.
DLD currently lists a total of AED 220 through Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
Fees can change, so businesses should verify the current amount through the official DLD service before payment.
How Long Does Ejari Renewal Take?
Dubai Land Department currently lists a service time of approximately 25 minutes through Real Estate Services Trustee Centres, excluding waiting time.
Online applications are subject to document submission and review. Incomplete or inconsistent information may affect processing.
What Information Should Be Checked Before Renewal?
Before submitting Ejari for license renewal, businesses should review:
- Company name
- Trade licence number
- Trade licence expiry date
- Company address
- Property details
- Unit number
- Landlord information
- Tenant information
- Tenancy dates
- Contract details
- Applicant identification
- Authorisation documents, where applicable
DLD’s tenancy guidance specifically indicates that company and lease information should correspond where applicable.
What Happens If the Ejari and Trade License Details Differ?
Businesses should review discrepancies before proceeding with a renewal-related application.
For example, differences in company name, address or other tenancy information may require the relevant records to be updated.
The correct procedure depends on which information has changed and which authority’s records are affected. Businesses should confirm the appropriate correction process rather than submitting conflicting information.
Can Ejari Be Renewed Before the Tenancy Expires?
Yes. Dubai Land Department’s FAQ confirms that a tenancy contract can be renewed before its expiry.
This can allow businesses to organise their tenancy documentation in advance rather than waiting until the final stage of the existing lease.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing Ejari Renewal With Trade License Renewal
They are separate processes. An Ejari renewal concerns the tenancy contract, while a trade licence renewal concerns the company’s licence.
Using an Outdated Tenancy Contract
Make sure the renewed contract reflects the current tenancy arrangement.
Providing Inconsistent Company Details
Check the company name, address and licence information against the relevant documents.
Choosing the Wrong Service Channel
Eligibility differs between the Ejari system, Dubai REST and Trustee Centres. Check the current DLD conditions before submitting.
Ignoring Authorisation Requirements
If someone is acting on behalf of another party, an official Power of Attorney may be required.
Assuming Fees Are Permanent
DLD fees and service conditions can change. Verify the current charges before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ejari for license renewal?
It refers to maintaining or renewing the registered tenancy documentation associated with a business while preparing related licence-renewal requirements.
Is Ejari renewal the same as trade licence renewal?
No. Ejari renewal concerns the tenancy contract, while trade licence renewal concerns the company’s business licence.
What are the Ejari Renewal Requirements for Trade License?
Requirements depend on the application route. DLD currently lists the Unified Tenancy Contract for online applications and additional identification or Power of Attorney requirements for Trustee Centre applications.
Can Ejari be renewed online?
Yes. DLD currently provides Ejari renewal through the Ejari system and Dubai REST, subject to the applicable service conditions.
Does a company need its trade licence for Ejari?
DLD’s tenancy guidance identifies the trade licence as relevant documentation when the tenant is a company.
Can a tenant initiate an Ejari request?
Yes. DLD states that a tenant can initiate an Ejari registration request, with landlord approval required for completion.
Can Ejari be renewed before expiry?
Yes. DLD confirms that tenancy contracts can be renewed before their expiry.
How much does Ejari renewal cost?
DLD currently publishes an online total of AED 177.75 and a Trustee Centre total of AED 220 for the stated service fee structures.
What document is issued after renewal?
An e-Contract Registration Certificate is issued after successful registration or renewal.
Where can Ejari be renewed?
The current DLD channels include the Ejari system on the DLD website, Dubai REST and Real Estate Services Trustee Centres.
Final Thoughts
Completing Ejari for license renewal requires businesses to keep their tenancy information accurate and aligned with their company records. The process should be treated separately from the actual trade licence renewal, even though the two may be connected from a documentation perspective.
For businesses preparing Ejari for trade license renewal, the key steps are to review the current tenancy, confirm company details, prepare the required documents, use the appropriate DLD channel and retain the e-Contract Registration Certificate after approval.
Because requirements and fees can change, businesses should verify the latest information through Dubai Land Department before submitting an application.
