Business licences in the UAE
Every UAE company needs a licence that matches its activities. We help you choose the right licence type and jurisdiction, word your activities correctly and obtain any extra approvals your business needs.
Choosing the right licence
Your licence type is determined by your business activities. Trading goods usually needs a commercial or general trading licence, services and consultancy need a professional licence, and manufacturing needs an industrial licence.
The same activity can often be licensed in a free zone or on the mainland. We compare both so you get the licence that fits how and where you want to do business.
We help you
- Select and word your activities correctly
- Choose free zone or mainland
- Identify extra approvals needed
- Plan for visas and office space
- Renew and amend your licence later
Licences we can help you obtain
Commercial Licence
For buying and selling goods and commercial activities.
E-commerce Licence
For selling products or services online.
General Trading Licence
For trading multiple, unrelated product categories.
Professional Licence
For consultants, service providers and skilled professionals.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing and assembly activities.
Not sure?
Describe your business and we will recommend the right licence.
How the process works
Activity review
We review your business model and list the activities you need.
Jurisdiction
We compare free zone and mainland options for your licence.
Application
We prepare and submit your application and any external approvals.
Licence issued
You receive your licence, then we move on to visas, bank and tax.
Can I have more than one activity on my licence?
What happens if my activity is not on my licence?
Do licences need renewing?
Related services
Ready to start your UAE company?
Book a free consultation. We will recommend the right free zone, licence and visa package for your plans and give you a clear, itemised quote.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC is an independent business setup consultancy and an authorized channel partner of the free zones named on this site. We are not a government entity. Licence approvals, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant authorities and may change.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC helps entrepreneurs set up and grow their business in the UAE: free zone and mainland company formation, licensing, visas and tax registration, handled end to end since 2021.
