Dubai Development Authority issues licenses by industry cluster, allowing companies to operate in their respective sector according to the nature of their business activities.

Click here to view the business activities permitted in each cluster.

Businesses can choose from several legal structures at the time of incorporation. These are as follows:

  • Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

    A Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) is formed as a separate legal entity, with shareholders as individuals and/or corporates. The minimum capital requirement for incorporation depends on the business activity.

  • Branch of a Foreign/UAE Company

    A Branch of a Foreign or a UAE company is not a legal entity separate from its parent but is considered a place of business that forms a legally dependent part of the parent company and conducts all or some of the operations inherent in the parent's business. No share capital is required to set up as a branch.

  • Freelancer

    The Freelance Permit offers the ability to operate as a freelance professional. The Permit identifies you as a sole practitioner and enables you to conduct your business in your birth name as opposed to a brand name.

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Please select the Owner Type:

  • Natural
    Person(s)

    Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) in which Natural Person(s) / Individual is a shareholder.

  • Corporate
    Person(s)

    Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) in which Corporate Person(s) / Entity is a shareholder.

  • Natural and Corporate Person(s)

    Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) in which Natural Person(s) / Individual and Corporate Person(s) / Entity are shareholders.

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Branch of a Foreign/UAE Company

Please select the Branch Type:

Back to "Legal Structure"

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Owner Type: Natural

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy(s) of relevant individuals
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the lease
  • Sign and Collect Articles and Memorandum of Association
  • Collect License and Certificate of Incorporation
Back to STEP 2

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Owner Type: Corporate and Natural

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy(s) of relevant individuals
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the lease
  • Sign and Collect Articles and Memorandum of Association
  • Collect License and Certificate of Incorporation
Step 2

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Owner Type: Corporate Person(s)

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy(s) of relevant individuals
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the lease
  • Sign and Collect Articles and Memorandum of Association
  • Collect License and Certificate of Incorporation
STEP 2

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Branch of a Foreign/UAE Company

Branch Type: Branch of Foreign Company

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy(s) of relevant individuals
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the lease
  • Collect License
Back to STEP 2

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Branch of a Foreign/UAE Company

Branch Type: Branch of UAE Company

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy(s) of relevant individuals
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the lease
  • Collect License
Back to STEP 2

Licensing Options and The Process

Legal Structure: Freelancer

Contact our team on +971 4 390 500 or info@dcca.gov.ae to obtain the application relevant to your business activity.

You will be assigned an Account Manager at this stage who will assist you by communicating the process and acting as your primary point of contact to support you through the registration steps.

Submit the application along with the following documents to the Account Manager:

  • Application Form
  • Business Plan
  • Passport copy of the applicant
STEP 2
  • Submit the documents as per checklist
  • Select Real Estate product*
  • Pay required fees

*We can assist you in finding suitable office and commercial space

STEP 3
Back to STEP 1
  • Sign and Collect the Occupant Agreement
  • Collect Permit
Back to STEP 2

Note: This is a general overview of the process and depending on the business activities, there may be extra requirements

Back to "Legal Structure"
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