01 · Renewal scope
Review every connected expiry date, not only the licence
Official Free Zone pages describe renewal as a separate service: the company files an application, current documents and payment, and undergoes review. Depending on the package, the renewed output can include the licence, registry and workspace documents.
Where an activity requires an NOC or external permit, its validity also matters. The company calendar should therefore combine several records.
| Item | Confirm | Risk if missed |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial licence | Activities, company details, term and charge | The company cannot evidence a current licensed status |
| Workspace or lease | Format, area, term and visa capacity | The package may not support the visa count or zone requirements |
| Establishment card | Expiry, signatories and company details | Immigration transactions may be unavailable |
| Residence visas | Each visa, passport and insurance expiry | Status issues and additional procedures |
| External approvals | NOC, professional documents or authority consent | Licence renewal may wait for confirmation |
02 · Calendar
A practical plan for the final 60 days
| When | Main action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 60–45 days before | Review the licence, lease, establishment card, visas and approvals | One calendar and a list of discrepancies |
| 45–30 days before | Request the current quotation and zone requirements | Confirmed budget and document list |
| 30–15 days before | Update documents, NOC, lease and company data | A file without expired evidence |
| Before expiry | File, pay and monitor requests | Renewed documents or a clear review status |
| After issuance | Check names, dates and activities and archive the pack | A correct file for banks and counterparties |
03 · Budget
Why year two can cost differently from year one
An incorporation promotion may include a discount that does not carry into renewal. The current licence tariff, premises, visas, immigration services, external permits, insurance and structural changes can all affect the budget.
A sound quotation separates mandatory authority charges, professional support and optional actions. A universal figure without the zone and configuration would be misleading.
- Request the price for the current licence and activities.
- Check whether the flexi-desk or office fee changes.
- Separate company renewal from owner and employee visa renewal.
- Identify amendment charges if shareholders, manager or data will change.
04 · Immigration records
The establishment card and visas need separate planning
GDRFA publishes a separate establishment card renewal service. Its term and file should not be assumed to match the company licence automatically; the procedure depends on the emirate and authority.
For each visa, check the passport, insurance, residence term and employer data. If an employee leaves or the company closes, visa cancellation may need to precede other company actions.
05 · Control
Pre-renewal checklist
Checklist
- ✓All expiry dates are in one calendar.
- ✓Current tariffs and requirements have been requested from the relevant Free Zone.
- ✓Activities, owners, manager, signatories and address are verified.
- ✓The workspace supports the package and visa capacity.
- ✓The establishment card and every visa are reviewed separately.
- ✓NOCs and external approvals remain valid at filing.
- ✓Names, licence number, dates and activities are checked after issuance.
- ✓If operations stop, formal closure is initiated instead of waiting for expiry.