01Commercial activitiesCommercial licences can cover approved trading and related business activities. If your company will buy, sell, distribute or trade goods, the specific products and proposed activity should be checked before registration.
02Professional activitiesProfessional activities can apply to various service-based businesses, including eligible consultancy and specialist services. The exact activity matters. A general consultancy and a regulated professional service may not follow the same approval process.
03Industrial activitiesBusinesses involved in manufacturing, production or certain industrial operations generally have additional requirements concerning premises, equipment and regulatory approvals.
04Tourism and hospitality activitiesBusinesses operating in tourism, hospitality, food and entertainment can require approvals from relevant authorities in addition to the core business licence.
01Serviced officesThese can be useful for certain professional businesses that want a business address and workspace without taking on a large conventional office.
02Dedicated officesA company with employees, regular client meetings or plans for a larger operation may prefer a dedicated commercial office.
03Retail premisesBusinesses serving customers directly may need a suitable shop or commercial unit rather than a conventional office.
04Specialised premisesCertain activities may require premises with specific facilities or approvals. Restaurants, clinics, salons, training centres and other regulated businesses can have requirements beyond a standard office.
1. Select the business activityDefine what the company will actually do and check whether the proposed activity has any additional requirements.
3. Select a company nameThe proposed name needs to comply with the applicable naming requirements and be available for registration.
4. Obtain initial approvalThe relevant application is submitted for initial approval, with additional approvals considered where the activity requires them.
5. Arrange the premisesIf commercial premises are required, select an appropriate office, shop or other facility and complete the relevant tenancy documentation.
6. Prepare the incorporation documentsDepending on the legal structure, constitutional documents and other agreements may need to be prepared and signed.
7. Complete the licence applicationThe required documents, approvals and fees are submitted to complete the licensing process.
8. Deal with post-licensing requirementsOnce the company is established, you can move on to matters such as immigration, employee visas, corporate banking, accounting, tax registrations and other operational requirements that apply to the business.
01Choosing the location before the activityAn attractive office in Dubai Marina does not solve a licensing problem. Start with the activity and work backwards from there.
02Assuming every business can use the same licenceLicensing depends on the actual business activity. Some activities also require external approvals.
03Focusing only on the licence feeOffice rent, visas, government charges, accounting and annual renewal can significantly affect the overall budget.
04Leaving banking until the company is already operatingIf your business will receive international payments or make regular overseas transfers, banking requirements should be considered during the initial planning stage.
05Using inconsistent business informationYour description of the business should make sense across the licence application, bank application, contracts and supporting documents.
06Planning only for the first yearThink about what the business could look like after two or three years. If you expect more employees, additional activities or larger premises, that may influence the setup you choose today.
