How long is an Abu Dhabi economic licence renewed for?

A commercial licence can be renewed for one year or more, depending on the licence type, lease validity and approved requirements. An industrial licence is renewed for one year from its expiry date, or for one, two or three years if it is in the production stage (TAMM).

On TAMM, logging in with UAE PASS. ADDED lists renewing an economic licence among its primary licensing services on TAMM.

Is there a fee for renewing late?

Yes. ADDED says a fee is due for each month the renewal is delayed. Check TAMM for the current amount.

Is my licence cancelled automatically if I don't renew?

No. ADDED says the licence is not cancelled automatically after expiry; the parties concerned must submit a cancellation request.

Do I need a lease to renew?

For a commercial licence, TAMM lists an approved lease contract and related entities' approval. The lease is not required for some licence types, such as the Freelancer and Mobdea licences, nor for the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence in its first three years.

AE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Renew your Abu Dhabi economic licence on time

In Abu Dhabi, the licence holder renews an economic licence with the Department of Economic Development (ADDED) on TAMM. Commercial licences renew for one year or more depending on type and lease, industrial ones for one to three years; an expired licence is not cancelled automatically, but a monthly delay fee applies.

In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Economic Development (ADDED) handles economic licences, and renewing an economic licence is one of its primary licensing services, applied for through its eServices on TAMM (ADDED, Licensing Requirements).

According to TAMM, a commercial economic licence can be renewed for one year or more, depending on the licence type, the validity of the lease and the approved requirements. If the lease agreement is valid for more than one year, the licence may be renewed for the permitted duration. An industrial licence is renewed for one year from its expiry date; if the licence is in the production stage, it can be renewed for one, two or three years.

ADDED says an expired licence is not cancelled automatically: the parties concerned must submit a cancellation request. A fee is charged for each month that the renewal of an economic licence is delayed (ADDED FAQs).

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At a glance

Authority	Department of Economic Development (ADDED); applications through TAMM
Commercial licence	Renewed for one year or more, depending on licence type, lease validity and approved requirements (TAMM)
Industrial licence	One year from the expiry date; one, two or three years in the production stage (TAMM)
Documents (commercial)	Approved lease contract and related entities' approval; the lease is not required for some licence types (TAMM)
Processing time	TAMM lists one working day for commercial and two for industrial renewals
Late renewal	A monthly delay fee is charged (ADDED FAQs; TAMM industrial service)
After expiry	The licence is not cancelled automatically (ADDED FAQs)

TAMM says the approved lease contract requirement varies by licence type: it is not required for the Freelancer and Mobdea licences, and not for the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence during its first three years. This page covers Abu Dhabi; other emirates have their own licensing authorities.

Who is responsible?

The licence holder applies for renewal on TAMM: log in with UAE PASS, submit the application and the required documents, receive an approval or rejection notification, pay the applicable fees if approved, and receive the renewed licence (TAMM, Renew Economic Licence - Commercial).

If the deadline passes

ADDED charges a fee for each month that the renewal of an economic licence is delayed, and TAMM lists a monthly delay fee on the industrial renewal service. An expired licence is not cancelled automatically; if you are closing the business, a cancellation request must be submitted (ADDED FAQs). Check TAMM for the current fees.

Track the lease together with the licence

For a commercial licence, TAMM asks for an approved lease contract, and the renewal period depends on the lease's validity. ADRA notes that a Standard Economic Licence requires leased office space, although this is optional in the first year for some activities. Add the lease (tenancy contract) as a separate record so its expiry does not hold up the licence renewal.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each licence with its expiry date and upload the current licence as a file. If you run several establishments, add one record per licence.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 days before expiry and on the expiry day.
Add the lease contract as its own record; for commercial licences it is a required renewal document.
Assign a responsible person (for example your PRO or office manager) so the right person gets the reminder; overdue records are also reported to managers on days 3, 7 and 14.
You can request the renewed licence from your PRO or business-services provider through a secure link valid for 14 days, without them needing an account.
Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.

Frequently asked questions

How long is an Abu Dhabi economic licence renewed for?: A commercial licence can be renewed for one year or more, depending on the licence type, lease validity and approved requirements. An industrial licence is renewed for one year from its expiry date, or for one, two or three years if it is in the production stage (TAMM).
Where do I renew?: On TAMM, logging in with UAE PASS. ADDED lists renewing an economic licence among its primary licensing services on TAMM.
Is there a fee for renewing late?: Yes. ADDED says a fee is due for each month the renewal is delayed. Check TAMM for the current amount.
Is my licence cancelled automatically if I don't renew?: No. ADDED says the licence is not cancelled automatically after expiry; the parties concerned must submit a cancellation request.
Do I need a lease to renew?: For a commercial licence, TAMM lists an approved lease contract and related entities' approval. The lease is not required for some licence types, such as the Freelancer and Mobdea licences, nor for the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence in its first three years.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for abu Dhabi economic licence (ADDED) (UAE)

A ready template for abu Dhabi economic licence (ADDED) (UAE) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each abu Dhabi economic licence (ADDED) (UAE) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each abu Dhabi economic licence (ADDED) (UAE) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.