Licences by business activity
What licence you need for your type of business, where to get it and what approvals are involved.
General trading licence
What a Dubai general trading licence covers, how it differs from a specific trading licence, restricted goods, mainland vs free zone and costs.
Trading company
Setting up a trading company in Dubai: choosing specific vs general trading, jurisdiction, warehousing, customs registration, VAT and banking.
Consultancy licence
How to get a consultancy licence in Dubai for management, business, IT, HR or other consulting, mainland professional licence vs free zone, visas and costs.
E-commerce licence
How to get an e-commerce licence in Dubai: mainland vs free zone, the eTrader licence for individuals, marketplaces, payment gateways and VAT.
IT and software company
Setting up an IT, software development or SaaS company in Dubai: free zone options, activities, visas for developers and intellectual property.
Marketing agency licence
How to license a marketing, digital marketing, advertising or PR agency in Dubai: free zone options, media approvals, visas and clients.
Real estate brokerage licence
How to open a real estate brokerage in Dubai: DET licence, RERA and Dubai Land Department registration, broker certification, office and costs.
Holding activity
The holding activity on a UAE licence: what it allows, which jurisdictions offer it, and how it interacts with corporate tax exemptions.
Restaurant licence
How to open a restaurant or café in Dubai: DET licence, Dubai Municipality food safety approvals, Civil Defence, fit-out, signage and permits.
Travel agency licence
How to open a travel agency in Dubai: DET tourism approval, office, bank guarantee, staff qualifications, IATA accreditation and airline ticketing.
Event management licence
How to license an event management company in Dubai and obtain event permits: activities, jurisdictions and approvals for each event.
Crypto and virtual asset licence
Licensing crypto and virtual asset businesses in the UAE: VARA in Dubai, DFSA in DIFC, FSRA in ADGM, activities, requirements and banking.
Fintech company
Setting up a fintech in the UAE: payments, lending, wealth tech and insurtech, regulators, innovation licences and sandboxes in DIFC and ADGM.
Clinic licence
How to open a clinic, medical centre or wellness practice in Dubai: DHA or DHCC licensing, professional licences, facility approvals and timelines.
Training institute licence
How to open a training centre or education business in Dubai: KHDA approval, activities, premises, trainer qualifications and free zone alternatives.
Logistics company
Setting up a logistics, freight forwarding or shipping company in Dubai: licences, customs registration, warehousing and the best zones.
Import and export licence
How to import and export goods through Dubai: trading licence, customs registration and importer code, duties, restricted goods and documentation.
Cosmetics trading
How to trade cosmetics, skincare and perfume in Dubai: trading licence, product registration and labelling approvals, and e-commerce considerations.
Car rental licence
How to open a car rental company in Dubai: DET licence, RTA approval, fleet requirements, insurance, premises and operations.
Recruitment agency licence
How to open a recruitment or manpower agency in Dubai: MOHRE licensing for employment agencies, bank guarantee, office and compliance.
Content creator licence
How influencers and content creators get licensed in the UAE: trade or freelance licence, UAE Media Council advertiser permit, visas and brand deals.
Construction company
How to set up a construction or contracting company in Dubai: DET licence, contractor classification, engineering qualifications and approvals.
Gold and jewellery trading
How to trade gold, precious metals, diamonds and jewellery in Dubai: DMCC and mainland licences, DPMS AML obligations and goAML.
Family office
Setting up a single family office in the UAE: DIFC and ADGM regimes, foundations, holding companies, residency for the family and governance.
Investment fund
Setting up an investment fund or fund manager in the UAE: DIFC and ADGM fund regimes, onshore SCA funds, structures and requirements.
Yacht charter licence
How to set up a yacht charter or marine tourism company in Dubai: DET licence, maritime authority approvals, vessel registration and insurance.
Management consultancy licence
How to license a management consultancy in Dubai: activity scope, free zone and mainland options, qualifications and visas.
Talk it through with a specialist
Tell us where you live, what the business does and what you need from the UAE. We reply within one business day with a recommended structure and a fixed quote.