How to Obtain a Consultancy / Professional License in Dubai

If you want to sell your expertise such as business consulting, marketing consulting, IT consulting, HR advisory, training, design, or other specialized services, you will require a professional license in Dubai. This is called a “consultancy license”.

The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) is in charge of company licenses for the mainland. Many founders register online through sites like Invest in Dubai.

This article tells you what to do, what forms to fill out, what approvals you need, and what mistakes to avoid to receive your license easily.

Table of Contents

What is a Dubai Professional (Consultancy) License?

A professional license is for work where you provide skills, knowledge, or specialized knowledge instead of selling products.If you make money giving advice, planning, audits, digital services, coaching, or professional employment, you need a license.

Examples of consultancy/professional activities (varies by exact activity list and approvals):

Management / business consulting
Marketing / PR consulting
IT consulting / software services
HR consulting / recruitment support
Training and personal development services
Design / creative services (activity-specific)

Tip: choosing the right activity code matters because requirements can change based on your activity (some need extra approvals). Get details on Business Setup in Dubai.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Which One Fits a Consultancy Best?

Before you apply, decide where you want to operate:

Dubai Mainland (DET)

Choose mainland if you want:

broader access to the Dubai/UAE market (including working with many local clients)
flexibility for office locations across Dubai
a setup path guided by DET + “Invest in Dubai” services

Dubai Free Zone

Choose a free zone if you want:

a package-style setup (license + flexi-desk options often bundled)
a business environment designed for international service providers (varies by free zone)
a simpler model for certain service activities

Do You Need a Local Service Agent (LSA) for a Professional License?

For many mainland professional setups, the UAE’s official guidance explains that a Local Service Agent (LSA) may be required for fully foreign-owned mainland businesses (depending on legal form/activity). The LSA typically supports administrative processes and does not operate your business day-to-day.

In real workflow terms, you should expect:

an LSA agreement in cases where it applies
notarisation/attestation steps for that agreement (process varies)

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Consultancy / Professional License in Dubai (Mainland)

Most founders go through these stages, however the sequence varies by activity:

1) Pick the exact business activity

Start by selecting your consultancy activity precisely. This step controls your approvals, documents, and sometimes your office requirements. Also, it affects banking and visa expectations later—so do it carefully.

2) Choose your legal structure

Your structure depends on your situation (solo founder vs partners, regulated vs non-regulated activity, etc.). The UAE government explains that the legal form links directly to required documents like MOA or LSA agreement.

3) Reserve the trade name

Next, reserve a trade name that follows naming rules and matches your activity type. This is where many applications slow down—because the name conflicts with an existing brand or includes restricted terms.

4) Apply for initial approval

Initial approval is basically the government’s “no objection” to forming the business—but it doesn’t allow you to operate yet. It simply lets you proceed to the next steps.

5) Prepare core documents (MOA or LSA agreement)

This is a key stage:

If your legal form requires it, you prepare a Memorandum of Association (MOA)
If your setup requires it, you prepare a Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement

6) Secure a business location (Ejari in Dubai mainland)

Mainland companies must show a valid address. In Dubai, you typically register your tenancy through Ejari (Dubai Land Department system).

7) Obtain any additional external approvals (if your activity needs them)

Some activities need extra approvals from other regulators (for example, legal-related activities may involve additional authority rules). The UAE government notes that certain business activities require approvals from relevant government entities.

8) Pay fees and issue the license

You pay the costs and get your trade license once all the paperwork and permissions are in order. Obtaining an Professional License in Dubai.

Typical Documents Checklist for a Consultancy / Professional License

While requirements vary by your activity and structure, founders commonly prepare:

Passport copy (owner/partners)
UAE visa / entry stamp / Emirates ID (if applicable)
Photo (passport-size)
Proposed trade names (options)
Business activity selection
LSA agreement or MOA (as required)
Office lease + Ejari (mainland)
Qualifications/experience documents (if the activity is regulated)

Dubai Consultancy License Timeline (What to Expect)

Timelines depend on getting the right approvals and having the right documents ready. If your operation doesn’t need outside permissions and your documentation are available, the issuing process can go quickly. However, delays often happen because of trade name issues, missing Ejari, or incomplete LSA paperwork.

Timeline table (practical view)

Stage	What happens	Typical time impact
Activity + name selection	Pick activity + reserve trade name	Fast if name is clean
Initial approval	“No objection” to proceed	Usually quick
MOA/LSA documentation	Draft + attest where required	Medium (depends on readiness)
Office + Ejari	Lease + Ejari registration	Medium
External approvals (if needed)	Extra regulator approval	Variable
License issuance	Pay fees + receive license	Quick once complete

Approximate Cost Heads (Budget Planning)

Exact fees depend on activity, office, and visa needs. Still, most founders budget across these buckets:

Cost item	What it includes	Notes
Trade name + initial approvals	Government processing	Varies by activity/route
License issuance	The actual license fees	Activity-dependent
LSA / legal paperwork	Drafting, attestation, agreements	If applicable
Office / flexi-desk	Lease cost + deposits	Mainland often needs Ejari
Visas & establishment cards	Immigration-related costs	Depends on quota/package

If you want, Black Swan Business Setup Service can help you estimate the cleanest “first-year total” based on your activity and whether you choose mainland or a free zone route.

Related Articles:

» Professional License Activities in Dubai

» Steps & Process to Get Professional License in Dubai

» How to Get an HR Consultancy License in Dubai?

» Management Consultancy License in Dubai

» Step-by-Step Process for Registering Your Company in Dubai

Common Mistakes That Delay a Dubai Consultancy License

Picking a “close enough” activity instead of the exact consultancy activity
Trade name that violates rules or matches an existing brand
Leaving office/Ejari to the last minute (mainland)
Missing LSA agreement steps when required
Forgetting external approvals for regulated services
Applying without a clear partner/shareholder plan (causes restructuring later)

FAQs on “Obtain a Consultancy / Professional License in Dubai”

1) What is the difference between a consultancy license and a professional license in Dubai?

In practice, “consultancy license” usually refers to a professional license issued for consultancy-type activities. The exact wording depends on your activity category and authority route.

2) Can I get a consultancy license in Dubai with 100% foreign ownership?

Many structures allow full foreign ownership, but your setup may still require an LSA depending on legal form/activity in mainland.

3) Do I always need a Local Service Agent for a professional license?

Not always “always”—it depends on the legal form and the specific activity. UAE guidance indicates LSA can apply for fully foreign-owned mainland setups in certain cases.

4) Is Ejari mandatory for a mainland professional license in Dubai?

For many mainland setups, you must show a valid address and register the tenancy. UAE guidance highlights Ejari registration for Dubai tenancy contracts.

5) Can I run a consultancy from a flexi-desk?

In free zones, flexi-desk packages are common (subject to the free zone’s rules). Mainland requirements can differ because tenancy/Ejari rules apply.

6) How long does it take to get a consultancy/professional license?

It can be quick if you have all the paperwork and approvals in order. Delays are caused by paperwork for trade names, Ejari, or LSA, or by getting approvals from outside sources.

7) Can I add multiple consultancy activities under one license?

Yes, but limits and compatibility rules apply based on the authority and license type.

8) Which authority issues a Dubai mainland consultancy license?

For mainland Dubai, licensing falls under Dubai’s economic licensing framework led by Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET), and you can access services through Invest in Dubai.

9) Will my consultancy license allow me to invoice UAE clients legally?

Yes—once issued, your license is your legal permission to operate and invoice within the scope of your activity.

10) Do I need qualifications to open a consultancy in Dubai?

Some activities are regulated and might need proof of qualification, experience or additional approvals.

11) How often do I need to renew the professional license?

Licenses typically renew annually; renewal needs valid tenancy/office and compliant records (exact requirements depend on your setup route).

12) Can Black Swan Business Setup Service handle the full process for me?

Yes—our team can help with activity selection, trade name, initial approval, LSA/MOA coordination, office/Ejari support, and license issuance, so you avoid rework and delays.