• Shop 19, Arzoo Building Al Twar, Al Qusais
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin Youtube Tiktok

Talk To An Expert

+971 50 843 7672

UAE business licences by activity

This page helps you find the guide that matches what your business will actually do. The list of guides follows this introduction, with one guide for each licence activity, from general trading and e-commerce to restaurants, building contracting and beauty salons. Each guide covers who the activity suits, the steps, the costs, the documents and the official sources, so you can check every point with the authority itself.

The main choice you face is which licence your activity needs and which authority issues it. In the UAE, commercial licensing sits with economic departments, and each emirate has its own. The government portal points to the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi and the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai. It lists separate departments in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, while Fujairah’s licensing services appear under its municipality. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism runs the National Economic Register, where licences and economic activity can be looked up. (u.ae)

Some activities also need certificates from named bodies. For example, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism issues certificates of origin for export, and a building completion certificate from the municipality is mandatory for contracting companies. (u.ae) Requirements differ by activity and location, so treat each guide as a starting point and confirm the current rules, fees and approvals with the issuing authority before you apply.

The guides

How Al Ain Business Center helps

Al Ain Business Center can talk you through the choice and the paperwork for your own case. Tell us what you are planning and we will point you to the right guide and the next step.

All articles