UAE licence types explained
Summary
The type of licence a mainland company needs depends on its activity. The official UAE portal (u.ae) names six licence types at federal level and lists additional types used in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Official descriptions are available for some types and not others; this guide gives only what the pages opened for it state.
Six licence types named on u.ae
u.ae lists these licence types:
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Professional
- Tourism
- Agricultural
- Crafts
The pages opened for this guide describe the industrial, commercial and professional types (see below). They name tourism, agricultural and crafts licences without describing them, so no description is given here; check the licensing authority for the activities each covers.
Dubai (Department of Economy & Tourism)
u.ae lists eight types for Dubai: industrial, commercial, professional, eTrader, dual, instant, SME and Intelaq. The Dubai government portal (dubai.ae) describes five categories for mainland setup:
- Industrial: manufacturing, production, packaging, and food and textile operations.
- Commercial: buying and selling goods and services, import-export, logistics, software, construction and real estate.
- Professional: services based on intellectual or artistic abilities.
- E-Trader: home-based online sales through social media or digital platforms.
- Dual: lets free zone companies expand a mainland presence without additional office space or local partners; dubai.ae says it is available with five participating zones.
dubai.ae does not describe the instant, SME or Intelaq types on the page opened, so they are not described here.
Abu Dhabi (Department of Economic Development)
u.ae lists seven types for Abu Dhabi: trader, dual, freelancer, Mobdea, small producers, standard and virtual. The Department of Economic Development’s licensing page describes them as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Trader Licence: issued electronically for specific commercial activities to UAE citizens and residents.
- Standard Licence: a traditional economic licence permitting business practice throughout Abu Dhabi across various legal structures.
- Dual Licence: enables free zone establishments to conduct operations outside their designated zones.
- Freelancer Licence: is available to citizens and foreigners to practise economic activities in specific fields remotely without physical office requirements.
- Virtual Licence: designed for individuals abroad who want to start Abu Dhabi businesses.
- Mobdea Licence: exclusive to female UAE citizens, offering 44 activities focused on creative work without physical headquarters.
- Small Producers Licence: issued to citizens operating private farms providing agricultural and animal husbandry services.
The page states that applications are processed through the TAMM eServices platform.
Other emirates and free zones
The pages opened do not list licence types for the other emirates. Free zone companies receive a licence from their free zone authority, and u.ae states that applications are made online through that authority.
Checking a licence
u.ae points to the National Economic Register, operated by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and to the websites of each emirate’s economic department as channels for checking registered business activities and licences.
What it costs
Licence fees depend on the emirate, the type, the activity and other factors. This guide quotes no figures; use the comparison tool on this site and confirm fees with the licensing authority.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming licence names mean the same thing in every emirate; the lists on u.ae differ between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- Overlooking that some sectors need approval from other government departments before proceeding, as dubai.ae notes.
- Treating a dual licence as available in every free zone; dubai.ae states it is available with five participating zones.
- Assuming a licence for one activity covers others; u.ae notes a business may have more than one activity.
Check the authority
Licence categories, activities and fees change. Check the current position with the relevant economic department, free zone authority or the u.ae portal.
Figures and details in this guide are as stated on the cited official pages as of 6 October 2026.
Sources
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/Doing-business/doing-business-on-the-mainland/steps-to-start-a-business-on-the-mainland
- https://www.dubai.ae/starting-a-business
- https://www.added.gov.ae/en/set-up/establish-your-business/licensing-requirements
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/important-digital-services/inquire-about-licences-names-and-activities
This information is general; rules and fees can change. Check current details with the relevant authority.
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