Dubai DED Professional License

Start your professional services business in Dubai mainland with 100% foreign ownership and full control over your company. Our team handles the entire professional license setup process, from initial approval through to license issuance and visa processing.

Whether you’re a consultant, engineer, accountant, IT specialist, designer, or healthcare professional, we help you obtain the right Dubai Professional License to operate legally across the UAE mainland without geographical restrictions or equity-sharing requirements.

What Is a Dubai Professional License?

A professional license (also called a professional trade license) is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for service-based businesses. Unlike commercial licenses required for trading activities, a professional license is designed for businesses that deliver expertise, skills, and consultancy services.

The DET issues professional licenses under a sole establishment or civil company structure. The key advantage is that professional license holders are not required to have a UAE national as a shareholder, making this the preferred option for foreign professionals seeking full business ownership in the mainland.

Why Choose a Professional License in Dubai?

• 100% foreign ownership – Retain complete ownership and control without sharing equity with a local partner
• Sole proprietorship permitted – Operate as a single owner without additional shareholders or complex corporate structures
• Trade anywhere in the UAE – Unlike free zone companies, conduct business across all Emirates and with government entities
• No minimum capital requirement – For most professional activities, no mandatory share capital deposit needed
• Flexible office options – Choose from shared offices, serviced offices, or traditional leased spaces
• Visa eligibility – Sponsor yourself, family members, and employees for UAE residence visas
• Golden Visa qualification – Business owners meeting investment thresholds may qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa

Local Service Agent: What We Arrange for You

UAE regulations require professional license holders to appoint a Local Service Agent (LSA), known in Arabic as Wakeel Khidmaat. We connect you with pre-vetted, reliable service agents and handle the entire arrangement on your behalf.

The Local Service Agent assists with obtaining and renewing your trade license, processing visa applications, liaising with government departments, and handling immigration procedures. Annual LSA fees typically range from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 depending on the complexity of your business activities.

We draft and notarize the Service Agent Agreement to clearly define the scope of services and protect your business interests. Learn more about local sponsor and service agent arrangements.

Professional Activities We License

We help clients obtain professional licenses across a wide range of service-based activities:

Category	Example Activities
Consultancy Services	Management consulting, business consulting, HR consulting, marketing consulting
Technical Services	Engineering consultancy, architecture, IT services, software development
Legal and Financial	Legal consultancy, accounting, auditing, tax advisory
Creative Services	Graphic design, interior design, photography, content creation
Healthcare	Medical consultancy, physiotherapy, nutrition consulting (with DHA approval)
Education and Training	Training centers, tutoring, educational consulting, coaching

Certain activities require additional approvals from regulatory bodies such as Dubai Courts (legal consultancy), Dubai Health Authority (medical activities), or the Securities and Commodities Authority (financial services). Our team coordinates all external approvals as part of your setup.

Civil Company Setup for Multiple Partners

When two or more professionals establish a business together under a professional license, we set up a Civil Company. This structure maintains the 100% foreign ownership benefit while allowing partnership arrangements.

Civil companies are commonly formed for law firms, accounting practices, medical clinics, architecture firms, and consulting partnerships. Partners share unlimited liability for the company’s obligations, similar to a general partnership.

We draft the partnership Memorandum of Association to govern profit sharing, decision-making authority, and exit procedures. If you require limited liability protection, we can advise on LLC formation or free zone alternatives.

Documents We Need From You

To start your professional license application, we require the following documents:

For Initial Approval

• Passport copies of all shareholders (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport-sized photographs with white background
• Proposed trade name options (we recommend 3 alternatives)
• Business activity description
• Educational certificates and qualifications (attestation required for certain activities)
• Professional experience letters or CV

For License Issuance

• Ejari-registered tenancy contract (we can assist with office arrangements)
• No Objection Certificate from current UAE employer (if transitioning from employment)

We handle all remaining documentation including the Local Service Agent agreement, Memorandum of Association drafting, notarization at Dubai Courts, and coordination of external approvals and Municipality clearance.

Our Professional License Setup Process

We manage every stage of your professional license application:

Activity Selection and Trade Name
We identify the correct professional activity codes for your business and verify your proposed trade name complies with DET naming conventions. We submit multiple name options to secure approval.

Initial Approval
We submit your application through the Dubai Invest portal and obtain initial approval confirming your chosen activity and trade name. This typically takes 1-2 business days.

Office Space Arrangement
We help you secure a physical office address with an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Flexi-desk and co-working arrangements are accepted for many professional activities, and we can recommend cost-effective options.

Legal Documentation
We draft your Local Service Agent agreement and, for civil companies, your partnership Memorandum of Association. Our team handles notarization at Dubai Courts.

External Approvals
For activities requiring sector-specific approvals, we coordinate with the relevant authorities including Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Courts, or other regulatory bodies.

License Issuance
Once all approvals and documents are complete, we process the licensing fees and collect your professional trade license. The entire process can be completed in 5-10 business days with all documents ready.

For information on other license categories, see our trade license services.

Professional License Costs in 2026

Professional license setup involves several cost components. We provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees:

Cost Component	Estimated Range (AED)
Trade License Fee	10,000 – 15,000
Trade Name Registration	600 – 2,000
Initial Approval	100 – 500
Local Service Agent (Annual)	5,000 – 15,000
Office Rent (Annual)	15,000 – 50,000+
Visa Processing (Per Person)	3,500 – 5,500
External Approvals (If Required)	Variable

Total first-year investment typically ranges from AED 35,000 to AED 80,000 depending on office choice and visa requirements. Contact us for a detailed quote tailored to your specific business activity. For more details, see our business setup costs page.

Tax Obligations for Professional License Holders

Professional license holders in Dubai have the following tax obligations in 2026:

Corporate Tax: A 9% corporate tax applies to taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000. Profits up to this threshold are taxed at 0%. All businesses must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and file annual returns within 9 months of their financial year-end.

VAT Registration: Businesses with annual taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 must register for VAT at the standard rate of 5%. Updated 2026 VAT rules have simplified compliance procedures.

E-Invoicing Mandate: Starting July 2026, businesses with annual revenue exceeding AED 50 million must use FTA-certified e-invoicing systems. Smaller businesses follow in subsequent phases (July 2027 onwards).

Personal Income Tax: The UAE maintains zero personal income tax. Profits distributed to shareholders are not subject to additional taxation.

Professional License vs. Other License Types

Selecting the correct license type is essential. Here’s how professional licenses compare to other mainland options:

Feature	Professional License	Commercial License	Industrial License
Foreign Ownership	100%	100% (most activities)	100% (most activities)
Local Partner Required	No (LSA only)	No	No
Sole Proprietorship	Yes	LLC Required	LLC Required
Suitable For	Services, consultancy	Trading, retail	Manufacturing

If your business involves buying and selling goods, we can assist with a commercial license. For manufacturing or production activities, see our industrial license services.

Additional Services After License Issuance

Once your professional license is issued, we provide ongoing support for:

• Corporate bank account opening – We assist with documentation and bank introductions. See our bank account services
• Visa processing – Investor visas, employee visas, and family sponsorship. Review our visa services
• Tax registration – FTA registration and Tax Registration Number (TRN) application
• PRO services – Government document processing, renewals, and administrative tasks through our PRO services
• Annual license renewal – We manage the renewal process before your license expires

Why Work With Us?

As experienced business setup consultants, we offer:

• Accurate activity selection matched to your business model
• Pre-vetted Local Service Agents with transparent fee structures
• Complete document preparation and attestation handling
• Direct liaison with DET and government departments
• Faster processing through established relationships
• Ongoing compliance support and license renewals

Contact our team at +971 55 378 8000 to discuss your professional license requirements.