How to Start a Consultancy Business in Dubai
You can start a consultancy business in Dubai with a mainland professional licence or a free zone service licence. Mainland suits consultants who work with local clients, and a free zone can suit those who serve clients abroad or want a lower entry cost. Most activities allow 100% foreign ownership.
Key takeaways
- A professional licence covers service businesses such as consulting firms.
- Since 2021 most mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, with no local service agent for most.
- RAKEZ issues service licences that cover management, legal, insurance, accounting, HR and marketing consultancy.
- Some consulting fields are regulated and need an approval.
Mainland or Free Zone for a Consultancy
| Route | Suits | EZONE starting package |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai mainland professional licence | Consultants with clients across Dubai and the UAE | AED 14,626 |
| RAKEZ service licence | Low-cost start, clients mostly abroad | AED 6,010 |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai address for a one-person consultancy | AED 12,500 |
| DMCC | Consultancies serving trading and commodity clients | AED 32,360 |
A free zone company cannot trade directly on the mainland, so choose mainland if most of your clients are in the UAE. Our guide to mainland vs free zone vs offshore explains the trade-offs.
Steps to Set Up
- Define the services. Write down exactly what you will sell and to whom.
- Check the activity code. Match your services to an approved activity, see our guide to the Dubai professional licence.
- Choose mainland or free zone.
- Reserve a trade name and apply. Add any external approval for regulated fields.
- Arrange an office or flexi-desk. The type affects how many visas you can have.
- Get visas, a bank account and tax registration. See corporate bank account opening and corporate tax registration.
Documents
- Passport copies and a recent photo for each shareholder and manager.
- Proof of qualifications and experience where the activity needs it.
- A business plan or a clear description of the services.
- Any approval letter your field requires.
Things Consultants Often Miss
- Banks ask who your clients are, so keep contracts and invoices ready.
- Activities that look similar can fall under different licences, so confirm the code first.
- Corporate Tax applies once taxable profits pass the threshold. See the small business relief guide.
If you want advice on which licence suits your practice, see our business setup consultants in Dubai page or our company formation services. Our sister site covers how UAE trade licence activity codes work, and companyformationinuae.com has more guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the mainland, a professional licence from Dubai Economy and Tourism. In a free zone, a service or professional licence from the zone.
For most activities, yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 removed the 51% Emirati ownership requirement and the local service agent for most mainland activities. Check your activity.
It depends on the field. Regulated fields, such as legal or financial advice, have extra requirements.
EZONE packages start from AED 6,010 in RAKEZ, AED 12,500 in Meydan and AED 14,626 on the mainland, before your own visas and workspace.
It depends on the authority and licence. Ask us to confirm the options for your activity.
Yes, once taxable profits pass the threshold. Read our corporate tax registration guide.
