What is a professional license?
- A professional license is given to an individual entrepreneur or a corporation to practice professional activities or services of any kind. For example, artisans, service providers, craftsmen, designers, and any career that relies on intellectual ability and talent.
- Keep in mind that the owner of such enterprise should be owned by a single person and if it is owned by more than one individual then it is referred to as a civil corporation.
- Foreign nationals are granted 100% ownership of business giving them the privilege of a sole proprietorship but there is one condition.
- You need to have a local or Emirati citizen as a service agent also known as Wakeel e Khidamt.
- The agent will not have direct interference in your business but will offer assistance in obtaining a license and other legal activities. They will not be responsible for the organization’s liabilities and have no equity.
Professional license activities
The following is a list of individuals who can apply for a professional license in Dubai:
Business Consulting
Advertising and Marketing
Management Consultancy
Auditing, Accounting, and Financial advisors
Education
Medical services and health
Lawyers and legal advisors
Information Technology Services
Architectural consultants
Entertainment artists
Business Consulting
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Consultancy License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges.
Advertising and Marketing
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Advertising & Marketing License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*All outdoor advertising requires Municipality Approval
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges.
Management Consultancy
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Management Consultancy License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges.
Auditing, Accounting, and Financial advisors
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Finance related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities compulsorily require Certified Charter Accountants as Manager or Owner
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges.
Education
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Education related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Activities Require KHDA approval
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Medical services and health
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Medical related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Activities Require DHA approval
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Lawyers and legal advisors
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Law or Legal related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Information Technology Services
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional IT related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Architectural consultants
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Architecture related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Entertainment artists
Cost Breakup for Mainland Professional Entertainments related License in Dubai
| DEPARTMENT | DESCRIPTION | COST |
| Business Setup Charges | Trade Name Reservation Certificate Charges | 620.00 |
| Initial Approval for Activity and Owner Charges | 120.00 | |
| LSA Agreement Between Emirati and Expat Owner Charges | 400.00 | |
| Civil Agreement Between the Partner under company | 500.00 | |
| Notarization of Civil Agreement | 1,600.00 | |
| Professional License Fee (Excluding Market Value 5%) | 8,000.00* | |
| Virtual Office | Office Charges | 3,000.00 |
| Local Sponsor Charges | To act only as the AGENT under the company. | 5,000.00 |
| DNRD | Establishment Card Fee – Immigration | 680.00 |
Note * Professional fee to be charged as per the original govt. receipt.
Charges are exclusive of VAT
All the charges are in AEDs
*Some activities require external approvals will be charged accordingly as per government charges
Advantages of a professional license
- 100% ownership for foreign nationals with the agreement of a local service agent
- Flexible markets
- License is at affordable costs
- Wide range of activities to choose from
- No additional corporate or income tax
Obtaining a professional license
- The first step is to provide an overview of the activities you wish to carry out in your company.
- Our business consultants will then help you with a local service agent and will handle all the legal paperwork needed to obtain this license.
- Obtain initial approval from the DED and also a trading name and send all the documents for approval.
- We will help get the local service agreement form notarized by a public notary.
- If it is for a civil company license, you will need to get another registration form attested, Civil Agreement.
- In the court, all investors or partners of business must appear before the registrar.
- Next, get the consent for your tenancy contract.
- All the necessary documents will be submitted to the DED branch for approval.
- Make the payment and collect your license
- A payment voucher which is like a bill or receipt will be given at the same time.
What are the documents required?
- Application form
- Passports of owners or partners (copies)
- Visit, tourist or transit visa copies of the foreign owners and partners
- Local partner’s naturalization book or Jinsiya (copy)
- A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from sponsors if the foreign nationals are under an employment visa. If they are on a visit visa, then only a UID number is required.
- Initial approval from the authorities depending on the nature of activity-DED, RTA, Dubai Municipality, National Media Council, and more.
- The documents needed for a tenancy contract submission to the Dubai Municipality include– ejari registration, a rental contract, name reservation certificate, a prescribed application form (BR1 form), and initial approval from the DED.