Dubai’s dynamic economy is a magnet for skilled professionals and consultants from around the world. But before you can start offering your expertise here, there’s one crucial step: obtaining a Professional License in Dubai.
Whether you’re an expat entrepreneur, a local professional, or an international investor eyeing opportunities in the UAE, understanding the ins and outs of this type of trade license is key.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the professional trade license in Dubai – what it is, how to get one on the mainland or in a free zone, the costs involved, and tips to streamline the process.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a Professional License in Dubai is and why you need it for service-based businesses
- Mainland vs. Free Zone setup – choosing the right jurisdiction for your professional license
- How to obtain a Dubai professional license step by step (covering both DET mainland and free zone processes)
- Costs, requirements, and key benefits of a professional license, plus important tips and key takeaways for success
Let’s dive in and get you one step closer to launching your business in Dubai!
What is a Professional License in Dubai?
A professional license (often called a professional trade license in Dubai) is a type of business license issued to individuals or companies that provide expert services.
In Dubai, all businesses must have a trade license to operate – professional licenses are designated for service-oriented activities, while commercial licenses cover trading of goods, and industrial licenses cover manufacturing.
If you want to utilize a special skill or knowledge and offer it as a service (for example, consultancy, marketing, IT services, craftsmanship, medical or legal practice, design, education, and more), you will need a professional license.
Key characteristics of a professional license:
- It permits 100% foreign ownership in a Dubai mainland company.
Unlike a commercial license (which in the past often required a local partner with 51% ownership for trading businesses), a professional license allows you to be the sole owner of your business.
- Instead of a local shareholder, you’ll appoint a Local Service Agent for mainland setups. This UAE national agent has no ownership stake but assists with government formalities.
(If you set up in a free zone, no local agent or partner is needed – more on free zones shortly.)
- It is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland companies, or by the respective free zone authority if you establish in a free zone.
- It covers a wide range of professional activities. Common examples include accountants, consultants, doctors, architects, IT professionals, designers, artists, teachers, lawyers, and other skilled experts.
Essentially, if your business relies on your intellectual talent or specialized skills rather than trading products, Dubai’s professional license is the appropriate route.
- A professional license grants you the ability to offer services legally, sign contracts, invoice clients, and sponsor residency visas for you and your employees.
It’s an essential foundation to operate a service-based business in the UAE with credibility and in compliance with the law.
Next, let’s look at the two main pathways to obtain this license: Dubai mainland vs. free zone.
Mainland vs. Free Zone: Where Should You Get Your Professional License?
Dubai offers two jurisdictions for business setup – Mainland and Free Zones. You can obtain a professional license in Dubai through either route, but there are important differences to consider:
Dubai Mainland Professional License (DET):
A mainland license is issued by the DET (Department of Economy and Tourism ) and allows you to operate anywhere in Dubai and across the UAE.
If your goal is to serve local clients in Dubai or government entities, or to open a shop/office in the city, a mainland professional license is ideal.
You will need to appoint a local service agent (LSA) for governmental liaison, but you retain 100% ownership of your company.
Mainland businesses require a physical office space (at least a small shared office or retail space with a valid Ejari tenancy contract).
The upside is unlimited access to the UAE market and the ability to take on contracts throughout the country.
For example, a consulting firm with a DED professional license can serve clients across Dubai and even other Emirates freely.
Internal Note: For guidance on mainland company setup, see our article Mainland Company Formation in Dubai.
Free Zone Professional License:
Free zones are special economic areas within the UAE that offer their own business licenses.
Dubai has over 20 free zones (such as DMCC, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, DIFC, IFZA, and more), many of which cater to professional and creative industries.
A free zone professional license comes with benefits like 100% foreign ownership (no local agent or partner needed), zero income/corporate taxes, and streamlined administration.
Free zone companies can repatriate profits fully and often enjoy simplified visa processes. They also tend to have flexible office solutions (e.g. flexi-desk or virtual office options for lower cost).
However, free zone businesses are restricted from trading directly in the mainland UAE without a local distributor or arranging a permit.
In practice, this means if you set up a consulting company in a free zone, you would mainly serve clients outside the UAE or within the free zone community; to serve Dubai mainland clients, you might work through partnerships or pay a fee to the DET for each contract.
Free zones are excellent if your business can be conducted online, internationally, or within the zone, and you want the tax advantages and lower fees.
Learn more in our Business Setup in Dubai Free Zone guide.
Which to choose? It depends on your business model. If you need a Dubai-wide presence or plan to have an office in town and cater to local customers, a mainland professional license is often the way to go.
If you prefer a cost-effective setup with specific benefits and your client base is mostly international (or you don’t need to physically operate in the city), a free zone license could be a perfect fit.
Many entrepreneurs start in a free zone for the ease and upgrade to a mainland license later as their business grows. The good news is, both options allow you to start a fully foreign-owned service company in Dubai.
Next, we’ll walk through how to get your professional license in Dubai, step by step, for both scenarios.
Steps to Obtain a Professional License in Dubai
Getting a professional license in Dubai may sound complex, especially if you’re new to the region, but it’s actually a well-defined process.
The exact steps can vary slightly between a mainland (DET) setup and a free zone setup. Below is a general step-by-step roadmap covering both paths:
1. Determine your jurisdiction and business activity: Decide first whether you will set up on the mainland or in a free zone. Research which option suits your industry and goals (as discussed above).
At the same time, clearly define your professional business activity (or activities). Dubai’s authorities have lists of permitted activities for licenses – ensure your intended service (e.g. marketing consultancy, interior design, IT development, etc.) is listed under professional activities.
This will also determine if any special external approvals are needed (for instance, medical professionals need DHA approval, legal consultants need permission from the Legal Affairs department, etc.).
2. Choose a company name: Pick a unique trade name for your business.
The name should reflect your brand or activity and comply with UAE naming rules – avoid offensive terms or religious references, and if it includes a person’s name it should be the full name (no abbreviations).
For mainland companies, you’ll reserve the name with DET; for free zones, you reserve it with the respective free zone authority.
(Pro tip: have a few alternates in case your first choice is taken or disallowed.)
3. Engage a local service agent (mainland only): If you decided on a mainland professional license, you will need to appoint a Local Service Agent.
This is a UAE national who will act as your representative for licensing paperwork and government liaison. The LSA does not hold any equity in your business – their role is administrative, and they charge an annual fee for the service.
This step isn’t applicable for free zone companies (no LSA required there). Many business owners work with business setup firms (like CBS) to arrange a reliable local agent easily.
Internal Note: Our PRO Services in Dubai team can serve as your liaison, handling all government interactions efficiently.
4. Apply for initial approval: Submit an application for initial approval to the relevant authority.
For DET mainland, this means filling out the license application form and getting initial permission to proceed (the DET checks that your documents are in order and your activity is permissible).
For a free zone, you’ll submit an application to the free zone authority – often this can be done online. At this stage, you’ll typically provide copies of shareholder passports, a brief description of the business, and your proposed trade name.
Once you receive the initial approval, you can move on to the next steps.
5. Prepare required documents: Gather all the necessary paperwork for the license issuance.
This generally includes:
- Shareholder passport copies, visa copies (if you’re already in the UAE), Emirates ID copy (for residents).
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a current sponsor (if you’re on a UAE employment visa and going to be owner of new company).
- Any education certificates or professional qualifications relevant to your business (certain activities may require proof of credentials).
If setting up a mainland company, you’ll also draft a Memorandum of Association (MOA) and an LSA agreement with the help of a legal service or your business setup agent.
Free zones may have their own standard forms or resolutions instead of an MOA. Make sure everything is prepared and attested as needed.
6. Secure an office or workspace: All businesses in Dubai must have a registered physical address.
For mainland professional licenses, you need to lease an office space or shop and obtain the Ejari (official tenancy registration). The office can be a small flexi-desk or shared workspace to start, as long as it meets the licensing requirements for your employee visa quota.
In a free zone, you typically choose from their facility options – you might take a flexi-desk package, a dedicated desk, or a private office, depending on your needs and budget. The free zone will issue you a lease agreement or share certificate for the space.
7. Final submission and payment: With name approval, initial approval, documents, and office lease in hand, you can submit the final license application.
For mainland, this is done with DET (and any other necessary departments); for free zone, with the free zone authority’s registrar. At this stage, you will pay the required license fees and related charges.
These can include the license issuance fee, registration fee, name reservation fee, government fees (which cover various admin charges), and for mainland, the local service agent’s fee and possibly a security deposit. If everything is in order, the authority will process your application.
8. Receive your professional license: Once approved, congratulations – your professional license will be issued!
You will receive a license certificate (and in the case of DET, a Dubai trade license number). Now your company is officially established. You can proceed to apply for visas under your company’s sponsorship (for yourself and any employees) and open a corporate bank account.
Keep in mind that the initial license is valid for 1 year. You must renew it annually by paying the renewal fees (and updating any documents like lease or passports as needed).
Renewals are straightforward but must be done on time to avoid penalties. Many free zones offer multi-year packages or reminders to simplify renewals.
By following these steps, obtaining a professional license Dubai offers is quite manageable. The process might take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the jurisdiction and how prepared you are.
Many entrepreneurs choose to work with business setup consultants to handle the heavy lifting – from preparing documents to liaising with DET or free zone authorities – which can save time and ensure nothing is missed.
(At CBS, we’ve helped countless professionals navigate these steps seamlessly, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support.)
Professional License Costs and Requirements in 2025
One of the most common questions is: “How much does a professional license in Dubai cost?”
The cost can vary significantly based on whether you choose mainland or a specific free zone, and what your business needs (visa count, office size, etc.) are.
Below are some cost factors and general ranges to keep in mind:
- License Fees: The base fee for a professional license on the mainland typically starts around AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 for the DET (this includes the licensing fee and initial registration).
In a free zone, package prices can start as low as ~AED 8,000 to AED 12,000 for a basic service license with a flexi-desk (exact fees depend on the free zone; each has its own tariff).
These fees often increase if you require additional visas or a bigger facility. For example, a free zone license including visas for 2-3 employees might cost more than the basic package.
- Administrative and Government Fees: In mainland setups, expect additional DET admin costs for name reservation, initial approval, and attestation of the MOA.
There are also government innovation fees and knowledge fees (small fixed charges on all new licenses).
If external approvals are needed (say from a ministry or professional body), there could be separate fees for those as well.
- Local Service Agent Fee: For mainland professional companies, the local agent will charge an annual fee for their service.
This can range from a few thousand dirhams upwards, depending on the agent and the nature of your business. Often, business setup firms provide LSA service for a competitive fixed fee.
- Office Rent: Your office lease is another significant cost to budget.
Mainland offices in Dubai vary widely in rent, but you might find a small flexi-desk or shared office space starting around AED 10,000 per year (in more affordable areas) and going up for larger offices in prime locations.
Free zones usually bundle a certain type of office space into their packages, or offer it separately.
- Visas and Other Costs: If you’re planning to sponsor employees or family, factor in visa fees (each employment visa has government charges for entry permit, status change, medical test, Emirates ID, etc., roughly AED 3,000–5,000 per visa).
Additionally, setting up a corporate bank account may require a minimum balance, and using a consultant incurs service fees (often worth it for the convenience).
Ongoing requirements: Remember that your professional license must be renewed annually.
Renewal fees are similar to the initial fees (minus one-time registration charges). You’ll need to have a valid lease each year and pay the renewal fee to keep the license active.
The renewal process for a professional license Dubai authorities issue is generally straightforward as long as you meet all the conditions (settling any utility bills, government fees, etc.).
Many businesses also budget for PRO services to handle renewals and any changes (like adding a business activity or updating partners).
Despite the costs, obtaining a professional license is an investment in launching your business on solid legal footing.
Dubai offers significant advantages that offset the expenses: zero income tax, a strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and a huge market potential.
Plus, with the UAE’s continued support for entrepreneurs (e.g. long-term residence visas for business owners, incubator programs, and ease of doing business improvements), the process is smoother than ever in 2025.
Ready to launch your business with a Professional License in Dubai? We’re here to help make it happen.
Corporate Business Services (CBS) is a top-rated business setup partner for entrepreneurs and investors.
Contact us today for a free, personalized consultation on obtaining your business license in Dubai.
Let our experts handle the paperwork and approvals while you plan your next big success – with CBS by your side, starting a business in Dubai is simplified, quick, and hassle-free.
Get in touch now and take the first step toward your Dubai business dream!
