Professional Service License, Dubai UAE
Professional vs commercial licence, mainland vs free zone, and renewal requirements, handled end to end.
Free, no-obligation consultation, no price quoted until we know your requirements.
A professional service licence in Dubai covers skill and knowledge-based activities such as consultancy, IT services, legal advisory, design and education, and is issued differently from a commercial trading licence, which covers buying and selling goods. On the mainland, a professional licence issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) allows 100% foreign ownership, though some activities historically required a local service agent, a position that has evolved with recent ownership reforms, confirm your specific activity's current requirement with our team. A free zone professional licence offers a simpler, self-contained setup for businesses that do not need to trade directly with mainland clients from a physical office. Contact our team for a tailored quote once your activity and jurisdiction are confirmed.
Why It Matters
A professional licence covers consultancy, IT, legal, design, education and other skill-based activities, and is structured differently from a commercial trading licence, with its own local service agent rules on the mainland and its own visa and ownership implications. Getting the licence type and jurisdiction right from the start avoids renewal penalties and application rejections later.
Choosing Your Licence Type
Covers consultancy, IT, legal, design, education and other skill-based service activities, typically without a minimum share capital requirement.
Covers trading, buying and selling of goods, and general commercial activities, with different structuring rules to a professional licence.
Allows direct client-facing work across Dubai, with ownership and local service agent requirements that vary by activity.
A self-contained setup with 100% foreign ownership, suited to consultants and service providers not needing a mainland office presence.
Both routes support employee and investor visas, with visa quota depending on your office or flexi-desk package.
Before You Apply
Confirm your specific activity is classified as professional rather than commercial.
Compare mainland and free zone ownership, local service agent and office requirements.
Some regulated professional activities (legal, medical, engineering) require proof of qualification.
Track your renewal date to avoid late-renewal penalties on your professional licence.
Getting Started
Check your specific activity qualifies as a professional rather than commercial licence.
Compare an 8-factor set: ownership, local service agent, visa quota, office requirement, cost, market access, tax position and renewal process.
Submit your preferred company or personal brand name for approval.
Get initial approval to proceed with your chosen professional activity.
Where required for your mainland activity, formalise your local service agent arrangement.
Sign an office lease or free zone flexi-desk agreement matching your visa needs.
File your final professional licence application with supporting documents.
Set up corporate banking and begin operating under your new professional licence.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies by activity, jurisdiction, office package and visa quota, contact us for a tailored quote |
| Licence type | Professional licence (consultancy, IT, legal, design, education and similar activities) |
| Jurisdiction options | DET mainland licence or free zone licence |
| Regulator | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Renewal | Renew before expiry to avoid late-renewal penalties |
No price figure is published for this service. Setup cost depends on your activity, jurisdiction and office package, contact our team for a custom quote.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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