Licensing by activity
What the business does decides the licence and the zone.
E-commerce, consulting, trading, crypto, media and the rest. Each page names the licence, the zones that fit, the approvals outside the free zone and the mistakes that cost a resubmission.
Content creators, influencers and media (UAE Media Council licence)
To legally operate as a content creator or influencer in the UAE, you need two licences: a business licence (trade or freelance) from a free zone or the Department of Economic Development (D…
activity
Crypto and virtual asset businesses (VARA, ADGM, RAK DAO)
To run a crypto or virtual asset business in the UAE, the licensing path depends on the activities and location. In Dubai, any entity conducting regulated virtual asset activities (e.g., exc…
activity
E-commerce and selling on Amazon, Noon, Shopify from a UAE company
To sell on Amazon, Noon, or your own Shopify store from the UAE, you need a commercial licence that includes e-commerce activity. Both mainland (DED e-trader licence) and free zone licences …
activity
Education, training and coaching
To run an education, training or coaching business in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, you typically need a trade licence and, if offering structured courses to the public, approval from the …
activity
Food trading and F&B brands
Food trading in the UAE requires a trade licence with foodstuff trading activity, either from the mainland Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or a free zone authority. Mainland licences…
activity
Freelancers and solo professionals (freelance permits versus a company)
Freelancers in the UAE can operate under a freelance permit (from a free zone or mainland) or set up a one-person company (FZ-LLC). The choice depends on activity type, client location, need…
activity
General trading and import-export
General trading and import-export in the UAE can be conducted via a free zone General Trading License (e.g., Jafza) or a mainland Commercial License. Free zones offer 0% customs duty on impo…
activity
Holding companies and SPVs for investments and IP
In the UAE, holding companies and SPVs for investments and IP can be established in several free zones, each with distinct legal frameworks, costs, and capabilities. The required licence is …
activity
IT services and software development, SaaS
Software development and SaaS in the UAE typically require a professional or service license under activity code 6201001 (computer programming/software design). Free zones offer lower setup …
activity
Management and business consultancy
A management and business consultancy in the UAE requires a professional licence under ISIC 7020. You can set up in a free zone (lower cost, restricted mainland access) or on the mainland (d…
activity
Marketing and advertising agencies
To operate a marketing or advertising agency in the UAE, you need a trade licence with the appropriate activities (e.g., advertising, marketing consultancy, digital marketing). The choice be…
activity
Real estate brokerage and property management (RERA)
In Dubai, real estate brokerage and property management are regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department. A mainland trade licence from the Departmen…
activity