Find the activity your Dubai licence is built on.
Search the free zone and mainland lists side by side, open any activity for its licence type and approvals, then shortlist what fits your plan.
- free zone activities
- 1,641
- mainland activities
- 2,616
- activities in one search
- 2,785
- licensing authorities
- 3
2,156 free zone activities
Shortlist0- ManufacturingProfessional licenceNo approval
- IndustrialNo approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceNo approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceNo approval
- Consultancy - ServiceApproval needed
- Real EstateCommercial licenceNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
- FreelancersNo approval
- IndustrialNo approval
- IndustrialNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceMinistry of Culture & Youth approval
- Consultancy - ServiceNo approval
- Consultancy - ServiceNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceNo approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceMinistry of Culture & Youth approval
- Real EstateProfessional licenceDubai Civil Aviation Authority approval
- FreelancersApproval needed
- IndustrialNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
- Consultancy - ServiceNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- Trading & ServicesCommercial licenceNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
- CommercialNo approval
Dubai business activities
Found your activity? Here is what comes next.
Setting up in Dubai is not the hard part. Choosing the wrong activity is what costs founders time and money. The activity on your licence defines what you can legally invoice, so it is the first decision to lock, not an afterthought.
In short
Your activity decides your licence type, your approvals, and whether a free zone or a mainland setup fits. Choose it first and the licence, visas and bank account fall into place. Choose it last and you pay to redo the paperwork.
- 1
Search what you do
Type what you actually do, a keyword like trading, consultancy or software.
- 2
Compare both lists
Switch between free zone and mainland to see where your activity can be licensed.
- 3
Open and shortlist
Open any card for its licence type and approvals, then shortlist the activities that match your plan.
Free zone or mainland
Both routes are legitimate.
The right one depends on where your customers are and how you want to hold the company.
- Sell mainly outside the UAE or online
- Want 100% ownership with a fast, packaged setup
- Prefer a lean, remote-friendly process
- Plan to pair it with UAE residency
- Sell directly to the UAE market or government
- Need a physical shop or office presence
- Run an activity that needs a local trade licence
- Want to bid for local contracts
The mistake that forces a re-licence
Do not register the name before the activity
Reserving a trade name or signing an office lease before the activity is set is the common misstep. If the activity does not match the structure, you re-file and pay again. Lock the activity first, and the name, licence and lease follow cleanly.
After your activity
Plan residency and tax early.
Most founders set up in Dubai for a legal 0% position. That comes from the right residency paired with the right structure, not the licence alone.
Beyond the finder
Get the activity right. The rest is process, not guesswork.
We confirm the activity mix, choose free zone or mainland, arrange the licence, and handle approvals, visas, banking and compliance. One team, one point of contact, from first call to live company.
- Free, no-obligation call
- 1,400+ companies started
- In business since 2007
- 01Free zone company setup100% ownership and a fast, packaged licence.
- 02Dubai mainland company setupFor businesses selling into the local market.
- 03Residency and visasFor you, your team and your family.
- 04Business bankingPrepared and submitted so accounts open cleanly.
- 05Accounting, tax and complianceKeeps your company in good standing.