Professional License in Dubai & UAE
Secure your Dubai professional trade license with full ownership and legal compliance. Our team at Shuraa Business Setup will guide you through each step of the process.
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Secure your Dubai professional trade license with full ownership and legal compliance. Our team at Shuraa Business Setup will guide you through each step of the process.
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A professional license in Dubai is an official permit that allows individuals and companies to provide skill-based or knowledge-based services in the emirate. The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues these licenses for mainland businesses, while free zone authorities handle them for free zone companies. This license is meant for those who offer their professional skills or expertise, not for selling physical products.
Professionals working on the mainland just need to appoint a Local Service Agent (LSA) to handle government procedures. They keep full ownership of their business. This setup is especially appealing to foreign entrepreneurs, consultants, and specialists who want to start a business in the UAE.
At Shuraa Business Setup, we make it easy to get your Dubai professional license. We handle everything from paperwork and approvals to licensing and office solutions, so you can focus on growing your business.
A key benefit of a professional license on the Dubai mainland is that foreign nationals can fully own their business without needing an Emirati shareholder. You will work with a Local Service Agent for government matters, but you keep full control and all profits.
If your professional business earns less than the taxable income threshold, you will not pay corporate tax. This means you can keep more of your earnings.
Getting a professional license in Dubai is simpler than obtaining other types of licenses. With the right consultant, you can complete the process from application to approval in just a few days.
With a professional license, you can apply for residency visas for yourself, your employees, and their families. This helps you build a long-term presence in Dubai.
Having a DET-issued license shows clients that your business is legitimate and trustworthy. This is especially important in competitive service industries where reputation matters most.
A professional license in Dubai allows you to work in many fields, including consulting, IT, healthcare, education, creative services, and legal advisory. You can often include several related activities under one license.
If your business is based on your skills, qualifications, or expertise, you will likely need a professional license. Here are some examples of professionals and businesses that must have a Dubai professional license:
Management Consultants
Business Consultants
HR Consultants
Financial Advisors
Legal Advisors and Law Firms
Marketing and PR Consultants
IT Service Providers
Software Developers
Web Designers and Developers
Cybersecurity Specialists
Digital Marketing Agencies
Doctors and Medical Practitioners
Dentists and Pharmacists
Physiotherapists and Nutritionists
Beauty Salons and Spas
Training Centres
Educational Consultancies
Private Tutors and Coaches
E-Learning Providers
Graphic Designers and Illustrators
Photographers and Videographers
Advertising Professionals
Printing and Publishing
Entertainment Artists
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Consultants
Bookkeeping Services
Financial Planning Firms
Architectural Consultants
Engineering Consultants
Interior Designers
Carpentry and Artisanal Trades
General Maintenance Services
This list does not cover every profession. If your business offers services based on your skills or qualifications, talk to a Shuraa expert to find out if you need a professional license for your activity.
Unsure which license you need?
If you want to get a professional license in the UAE, you can choose between the Dubai Mainland (DET) or a Free Zone. Each option works best for different types of businesses.
Issued by the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET)
Allows you to work with any client across the UAE including government bodies
You need a Local Service Agent (LSA) for government paperwork, but you keep 100% ownership of your business.
This setup is best for consultants, professionals, and service providers who want full access to the UAE market.
Issued by a respective free zone authority (e.g., IFZA, DMCC)
100% foreign ownership without the need for an LSA
This option is better for businesses that focus on international markets or mainly work with clients in free zones.
Some restrictions apply when working directly with UAE mainland clients
For solo professionals, this is often a more affordable way to get started.
If you are unsure which setup is right for your business, our consultants can look at your needs, target market, and budget to help you choose the best option.
The documents you need may vary slightly depending on your business type, legal structure, and where you plan to operate. Here’s a general checklist to help you get started:
Passport copies of all business owners/shareholders
UAE Visa copy (if already a UAE resident)
Emirates ID copy (for UAE residents)
Passport-sized photographs of all partners
Trade name reservation certificate
Initial approval from DET or relevant free zone authority
Memorandum of Association (for civil companies or partnerships)
Valid tenancy contract or an Ejari-registered office address
Local Service Agent agreement (for DET mainland setups)
Attested educational or professional certificates
Relevant NOC or regulatory approvals (e.g., DHA for healthcare, KHDA for education)
Business plan (required in some sectors)
Not sure which documents you need? Our team can walk you through each step, review your paperwork, and handle all government communication for you.
Decide which professional services you want to offer. Make sure to select the correct DET-approved activity codes, as these determine what your license allows you to do.
Choose if you want to run your business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a free zone company. Shuraa can help you find the structure that fits your needs.
Pick a business name that follows UAE naming rules. Your name should be unique, clear, and meet DED’s requirements.
Send your application to the DET or free zone authority for initial approval. This step checks if your business activity and structure are allowed.
Gather all required documents, including passport copies, qualification certificates, a tenancy contract, and any required approvals. Then, submit them to the right authority.
If you are applying for a DET mainland professional license, you need to appoint a UAE national as your Local Service Agent. Shuraa can act as your LSA and protect your interests with a legal agreement.
After your documents are checked and approved, pay the required government fees. You will usually get your professional license in Dubai within a few working days.
Once you have your license, you can apply for residence visas for yourself, your employees, and your dependents.
The cost of a professional license in Dubai typically starts from around AED 12,000 and can go up to AED 45,000 or more, depending on several variables. Understanding what contributes to the final cost helps you budget accurately.
DET license issuance fees
Trade name reservation fees
Initial approval fees
Local Service Agent fees (for mainland setups)
Office space or Ejari tenancy contract costs
Government cultural and administrative fees
Sector-specific regulatory approval fees (if applicable)
Visa fees (if applying for residence visas)
The total cost depends on your legal structure, the number of activities you include, your office location, and whether you choose the mainland or a free zone. Free zone licenses are usually cheaper at the start, making them a popular choice for solo professionals and startups.
To get an exact cost for your business, talk to one of our consultants.
At Shuraa, we offer more than business setup support. Take a look at all the services we provide in one convenient place.
Professional License: We handle your professional license from start to finish, including selecting your activity, completing paperwork, submitting it to the government, and getting your license issued. Our process is quick, accurate, and always compliant.
Commercial and Industrial Trade Licenses: If you’re starting a trading or manufacturing business, we help you apply for commercial and industrial licenses in both the Dubai mainland and UAE free zones.
Free Zone Company Formation: We help you choose the best free zone for your business and handle everything from license applications to visa processing and arranging your workspace.
Mainland Company Formation: Our team guides you through DET registration, helps you pick the right legal structure, and gets all the approvals you need to start your mainland business.
Visa Processing and Residency Services: Whether you need investor, employment, dependent, or domestic worker visas, we manage the entire UAE visa process for you, including medical tests, Emirates ID, and status updates.
UAE Golden Visa Assistance: We support investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and their families in applying for the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa. Our team handles eligibility checks, paperwork, and submission.
PRO Services across the UAE: Our PRO team handles all your government paperwork, including attestations, renewals, labour approvals, and immigration filings. You won’t need to wait in line at government offices.
Corporate Bank Account Opening: We match you with the right UAE banks for your business and guide you through the account-opening process to help you avoid rejections and delays.
VAT Registration and Tax Compliance: Our tax experts at Shuraa Tax manage VAT registration, filing, and compliance, along with corporate tax advice, so your business always meets UAE tax rules.
Company Auditing and Accounting: Our accounting team handles everything from bookkeeping and financial statements to statutory audits, keeping your finances organised and ready for any review.
Local Sponsorship and LSA Services: Shuraa offers Local Service Agent and sponsorship solutions for mainland businesses, with clear legal agreements to protect your ownership and investment.
Trade License Renewal: We handle your annual trade license renewal before it expires, including all paperwork, government fees, and updated documents to keep your business compliant.
Shuraa Business Setup has helped more than 100,000 businesses over the past 26 years, making us a trusted partner in the UAE.
From paperwork to approvals, we handle everything, so you don’t have to visit different departments. Our team handles the details, so you can focus on planning your business.
We understand the importance of time when starting a business. Our team streamlines the process and coordinates with authorities to ensure your license is issued promptly.
We offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden charges or unexpected fees. All costs are itemised so you know exactly what you are paying for.
You’ll have a dedicated expert guiding you at every step. Whether you need help choosing the right activity or understanding the requirements, we’re always just a call away.
From license registration to visa processing and more. Even after your business is set up, we’re here to help with ongoing services.
Shuraa Business Setup is the highest-rated business setup consultancy in the UAE, providing expert guidance and comprehensive service to help entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses seamlessly.
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A professional license in Dubai is a trade license issued by the DET or a free zone authority. It allows individuals or companies to offer skill-based or knowledge-based services in the UAE.
Yes, foreign nationals can get a professional license in Dubai and keep full ownership of their business. For mainland businesses, you need to appoint a Local Service Agent (a UAE national), but they do not own any part of the company.
The cost of a professional license in Dubai starts at around AED 12,000. The final price depends on your business activity, location (mainland or free zone), office space, and any extra approvals. Contact Shuraa for a personalised quote.
A professional license is for service-based businesses that require professional skills, such as consulting, IT, or healthcare. A commercial license is for businesses that buy and sell goods. Both types are issued by the DET or free zone authorities.
A Local Service Agent (LSA) is a UAE national who helps with government paperwork and procedures for mainland professional license holders. The LSA does not have any ownership or share in your business. Shuraa can act as your LSA.
Yes, you can often include several related professional activities under one license. Shuraa’s consultants can guide you on which combinations are allowed for your business.
If you have all the required documents and proper guidance, you can get a professional license in Dubai in as little as 3 to 7 working days. The exact time depends on your business activity and any extra approvals needed.
After your professional license is issued, you can download a digital copy from the DET’s official online portal. Here’s how:
Visit the DET website or open the Dubai Now app on your phone.
Log in using your UAE Pass credentials or registered DET account.
Navigate to My Licenses or License Services.
Select your license from the list and click Download.
Your license will be available as a PDF file, and it is legally valid for all official uses.
One conversation is all it takes. Connect with our experts for personalised advice on business setup and company formation in Dubai or across the UAE.
