You know what your business will do. Then a licence application asks you to choose a business activity, and several options sound almost right.
Perhaps you plan to advise companies on marketing, but you will also manage their advertising campaigns. Or you want to sell equipment and charge customers for installation. Those extra details belong in the conversation before you apply.
To choose a business activity for your Dubai trade licence, describe exactly what customers will pay you for, compare that description with the relevant authority's activity list, and confirm the permitted scope and any additional approvals. If your business has several revenue streams, check whether the proposed activities can sit on the same licence.
For help with the wider company formation process, see A&A Associate's business setup in Dubai services.
Start with what you will sell
Before searching for an activity code, write down a few examples of the work you expect to invoice.
"Technology business" gives a licensing adviser very little to work with. "We build websites for clients and charge a monthly maintenance fee" is much clearer.
Try completing this sentence:
Our customers will pay us to __________.
Then add anything else you expect to charge for. Separate the work you will offer at launch from ideas you might explore later.
These hypothetical examples show the level of detail worth preparing. They are questions to take to the licensing authority, not confirmed activity classifications.
| Your business idea | What to explain before selecting an activity |
|---|---|
| Marketing agency | Will you provide advice, create content, manage advertising campaigns or arrange media placements? |
| Equipment supplier | Will you only sell equipment, or also install, repair or maintain it? |
| Software business | Will you develop software for clients, sell your own subscriptions or resell another provider's products? |
| Online shop | What products will you sell, who owns the stock, and who supplies the customer? |
| Training business | What will you teach, who will attend, and will you issue certificates? |
A short description of the actual work is more useful than a broad label such as "consultancy" or "online business."
Look up activities through the right licensing authority
For a Dubai mainland application, start with the official Invest in Dubai business activity search. Search using the product or service you intend to provide.
Keep a record of any activity names and codes that appear relevant. Read the available descriptions and ask for clarification where the wording does not explain your planned work.
For a free-zone application, check the chosen free zone's own activity list and requirements. Dubai's official guidance explains that free zones have their own regulatory authorities and registration processes. Do not assume that a mainland activity name or code transfers directly to a free-zone application.
If you are considering more than one authority, send each the same business description. That makes their answers easier to compare.
Read beyond the activity name
A name that sounds suitable is a starting point. You still need to establish whether it covers the work you intend to perform.
Suppose your proposal says "business consultancy," but your draft customer contract includes finding candidates and placing them in jobs. Ask specifically about that service. A broad description should not replace a check of the proposed work.
A useful question is:
"Does this activity cover the services in this sample proposal? If any part falls outside its scope, what activity or approval should we consider?"
You can use a sample invoice, a draft services page or a product list to make the question concrete. Remove confidential customer details before sharing documents.
Check whether your planned activities can be combined
A licence may include more than one business activity, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism. That does not establish that every proposed combination will be accepted.
Ask the relevant authority to confirm:
- Whether your proposed activities can appear on the same licence.
- Whether any activity changes the licence or legal-structure requirements.
- What extra charges or approvals apply to the proposed combination.
- Whether the selected workspace is suitable for all the planned work.
An offer that includes several activities is useful only if those activities cover your business. Ask to see the exact selections before accepting a quotation.
You do not need to add every business idea you have ever considered. Explain your launch plans and any expansion you are already preparing, then ask what should be included now.
Find out about approvals before committing to premises
Some activities require clearance from another government body. Invest in Dubai advises applicants to check additional approvals and confirm that they can meet the relevant conditions.
For each shortlisted activity, ask whether it brings requirements for qualifications, premises, inspections or other permissions.
This matters when you are about to sign a lease. Describe how you will use the space and ask whether it suits the proposed activity before making a commitment.
Also confirm the order of approvals. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism distinguishes initial approval from permission to begin operating: initial approval allows the establishment process to proceed, but does not itself authorise the business to start its activities. See its company establishment guidance.
Check the activity against a real customer order
Before submitting your selections, walk through one likely transaction.
Imagine a business that sells office equipment. A customer asks for delivery, installation and ongoing repairs. The founder should describe each part of that order when checking the proposed activity scope.
Use the same exercise for your own business:
- What will the customer order?
- What work will your company perform?
- Will you supply goods, use subcontractors or collect a commission?
- What will appear on the invoice?
- Does the authority's confirmation address the complete transaction?
This exercise often produces better questions than reading a long list of activities without a specific order in mind.
Keep a short activity-selection record
Save the answers you receive alongside your application documents. A simple worksheet is enough.
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Planned work | A plain-language description of each product or service |
| Proposed activity | The exact name and code, where provided |
| Licensing authority | Dubai mainland or the named free zone |
| Scope questions | Any parts of the business that needed clarification |
| Additional requirements | Approvals, qualifications or premises conditions identified |
| Confirmation | Who provided the answer and when |
| Quotation | Which activities and approval charges it includes |
Review this record against your application before submission. If the proposed activities have changed since the first quotation, ask for an updated explanation.
Already have a licence?
If your business is operating and you want to introduce work outside its current scope, you need to check the amendment route with your licensing authority.
Our separate guide explains adding a new activity to an existing trade licence. Keep that process separate from selecting activities for a new company.
Questions founders ask about business activities
Is a business activity the same as a licence type?
No. The activity describes the work the company intends to carry out. The licence type is a broader classification associated with that work. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism identifies the nature of the activity as a factor in determining the required licence and legal form.
Where can I find Dubai business activity codes?
Use the official Invest in Dubai activity search for mainland research. For a free-zone company, obtain the relevant activity information from that free zone. Ask the authority to confirm any code you intend to use.
What if none of the activity descriptions seems to fit?
Send the licensing authority a written explanation of your business model, with examples of your products or services. Ask for clarification before choosing the nearest-sounding option. Keep a copy of the response.
Should I choose my activity before buying a setup package?
Check that the package can accommodate your planned work before committing. Ask for the proposed activity names, any exclusions and the costs of additional requirements in writing.
Prepare your activity shortlist with A&A Associate
Bring a short description of your business, a sample customer proposal and details of any products you intend to sell. Include where you expect to work and whether you need premises.
Through our Dubai company setup services, A&A Associate can help you assess suitable licensing options and identify questions that need confirmation from the relevant authority before you apply.
