BUSINESS LICENSES SERVICES
We offer seamless licensing procedure. Our fast and efficient professional services for business incorporation and licencing. Secure your business’s future with our guidance on obtaining the necessary licenses tailored to your specific industry and needs.
TYPES OF LICENSES IN THE UAE
A trade license is a must when it comes to conducting businesses in the UAE. The UAE economic department issues the licenses and the procedures of license issuance varies from one emirate to another.
There are six types of licenses, namely
- Commercial license
- Professional license
- Industrial license
- Tourism license
- Occupational license
- Agricultural license
A license may include more than one business activity.
There are more than 2,000 various economic activities to select from in the list of businesses in the UAE.
- COMMERCIAL LICENSES
Commercial licenses are granted to companies that involve in any sort of commercial trade activity, related to goods, commodities and services. One need to decide upon the activities they plan to conduct before applying for a commercial license.
Some of the activities that come under commercial activity are logistics, car rental and realestate brokerage. The tertiary activities along with the main activity should be limited to 10 per license.
- PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
Professional licenses give permission to individuals and companies to engage in a profession they are talented in, based on their educational qualification. Some of the activities that come under this license are artisan ship, carpentry, consultancy services, printing and publishing, medical services, beauty salons, computer graphic design service, repair services, security services, and document clearing etc. With a professional license, foreign investors can attain 100% ownership of their business.
- INDUSTRIAL LICENSE
Industrial licenses are required for establishing industrial or manufacturing activity in the UAE, or industrial license in UAE is issued for those companies that transform natural material or natural resources into other final products and or is into any other type of manufacturing activities. With the industrial license, businessmen can assemble and process goods using raw materials that are local or imported. One need to obtain an industrial license for the manufacturing of;
- Food
- Textile
- Metals
- Equipment and engines
- Petroleum products
- Paper
- TOURISM LICENSE
Businesses that provide tourism activities such as hotel renting, tourist camps, cruise boat rental, restaurants, guest houses, travel agencies etc must acquire a trade license.3 main types of license namely: travel agency license as an operator of inbound tourism, travel agency license as an operator of outbound tourism and travel agency license as a travel agent.
- AGRICULTURE LICENSE
People who are involved in activities such as cultivation and harvesting of crops, trading of pesticides, crops etc, installation of greenhouses and those who provide agricultural consultancy, should possess an agriculture license.
- CRAFTSMANSHIP LICENSE/OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE
This license is required for individuals who are involved in plumbing, carpentry, electrical work etc. If a company employs a craftsman to work for them, then they need to apply for the license. It is illegal to conduct business in the UAE without a license; a hefty fine and even a ban on the activity will be the result. In addition, the license needs to be renewed every year in order to avoid penalties.
FAQS
The UAE offers 6 main types of economic licenses:
- Commercial license
- Professional license
- Industrial license
- Tourism license
- Occupational license
- Agricultural license
Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a company in UAE. According to Federal Decree-Law no. (32) of 2021, foreign investors are allowed to own 100% of their companies in some sectors of the economy
No, not all businesses require a local sponsor to setup a company in UAE. According to
commercial companies law, department of economy and tourism in dubai permits full ownership for foreign investors for many activities.
In general, freezone and certain mainland company structures that are basic can take
about 3 days. However, for complex structures the timeframe for setting up a company in UAE can vary depending on several factors, including the type of company, ownership and structure, and business activities.
Documents required to Establish a Limited Liability Company in the UAE include:
- Identification documents of shareholder (Passport, Entry Stamp/ Residence Visa, Emirates ID)
- Trade name reservation
- Business activities
- Ejari certificate
- Notarised memorandum of association
Documents required to Establish a Mainland Branch in UAE include:
- Trade name reservation certificate
- Notarised tenancy contract for the business location
- Ejari certificate (Proof of address of the owners)
- Notarised tenancy contract for the business location
- 2-year audited financial statement
- Identification documents of local service agent
- Local service agreement
- Board resolution from the parent company
- Parent company documents – memorandum of association, articles of association,(MOA) certificate of incorporation, trade license, and certificate of good standing.
Documents required to Establish a Freezone Company in UAE include:
- Business activities
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Corporate shareholder: parent company documents – memorandum of association, articles of association, certificate of incorporation, trade license, and certificate of good standing, board resolution, power of attorney.
- Individual shareholder: identification documents of the shareholder (passport, entry stamp/ residence visa,emirates ID)
Through careful planning and professional advice, the risks connected to company
formation in the UAE can be reduced. You can handle the registration procedure easily with the assistance of professional consultants, ensuring adherence to legislations and reducing potential risks.
Callus 00971527453572 or mail [email protected] our professional team will help you.
