How to Choose the Right Activity
Dubai offers over 2,000 licensed business activities. Your chosen activity determines your license type, cost, and what you can legally do. Choosing the right activity from the start saves money and avoids future amendments (AED 1,000-3,000 per change).
Here are the 25 most popular and profitable activities based on our experience setting up 5,000+ companies.
Top 10 Professional Activities
- Management Consulting — advising businesses on strategy, operations, HR
- IT Consulting — software development, tech advisory, system integration
- Marketing Consultancy — digital marketing, social media, advertising
- Business Consultancy — broad category covering general advisory services
- Design Consultancy — graphic design, UI/UX, interior design
- Legal Consultancy — legal advisory (requires qualifications)
- Accounting and Bookkeeping — financial services for businesses
- Education and Training — coaching, tutoring, corporate training
- Real Estate Brokerage — property sales and leasing (RERA certification needed)
- Event Management — organizing events, conferences, exhibitions
Professional licenses are the most affordable, starting from AED 5,500 on mainland and AED 5,750 in free zones.
Top 10 Commercial Activities
- General Trading — import/export of multiple product categories
- E-commerce — online retail, dropshipping, digital products
- Foodstuff Trading — wholesale food distribution
- Electronics Trading — phones, computers, accessories
- Textile Trading — clothing, fabrics, fashion
- Building Materials Trading — construction supplies
- Auto Parts Trading — vehicle parts and accessories
- Cosmetics Trading — beauty products, skincare
- Furniture Trading — home and office furniture
- Medical Equipment Trading — medical devices and supplies
Commercial licenses cost more (from AED 8,000) but allow buying and selling physical goods.
Top 5 Other Activities
- Food Manufacturing — packaged foods, bakery, beverages
- Restaurant/Cafe — food service (mainland license required)
- Tourism and Travel Agency — booking services, tour packages
- Transport and Logistics — freight, delivery services
- Cleaning Services — commercial and residential cleaning
Multiple Activities on One License
You can add multiple activities to a single license. For example, combining IT Consulting + Marketing Consultancy + Business Consultancy under one professional license gives you flexibility without extra license costs.
Additional activities cost AED 500-2,000 each. We recommend selecting activities that cover your current and planned future services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my business activity later?
Yes, but it costs AED 1,000-3,000 per amendment and takes 3-5 working days. Better to choose correctly from the start.
What is the difference between professional and commercial license?
Professional license is for service-based businesses (consulting, IT, marketing). Commercial license is for trading physical goods. Professional is cheaper.
Can I add e-commerce to any license?
Yes, e-commerce can be added as an additional activity to most license types. Some free zones include it by default.