The UAE is one of the most attractive business destinations in the world due to its access to markets across countries and continents. However, to conduct business on the territory of this state, you must obtain a business licence first. Each type of business activity requires a special licence.
In this article, we will look at the main types of licences that are offered in the UAE and which Smart Value will help you obtain.
Licences for mainland companies
If you want to trade in the UAE, you will need to register a company in one of the emirates (registration on the mainland). For some activities, full foreign ownership of the business is allowed, but for others the share of local ownership must be at least 51%.
What business licences can a 100% foreign enterprise obtain:
1. Commercial licences:
- Trade - sale of goods, including chemicals and medicines, food, cosmetics, etc.
- Construction - gives the right to erect buildings and structures of any type, but not to design.
- Logistics - transportation of goods and passengers.
- Tourism - hotels, etc. Does not give the right to operate a travel agency.
- Investments - investment activities with the exception of managing assets of third parties.
- Industry - production, as well as mining (except oil and gas).
2. Professional licences:
- Everyday services - car services, laundries, beauty parlours, etc.
- Medicine and healthcare - clinics, hospitals, laboratories, etc.
- Consulting and management - project management, advice in the field of taxes and administration, etc.
- Education and sports - education at all levels, sports clubs.
- IT - development, maintenance, information security.
- Agriculture and catering.
Which licences require 51%+ local ownership?
- Investments and finance - brokerage, intermediation, currency exchange offices, exchanges.
- Media - television and radio broadcasting.
- Insurance
- Real estate and infrastructure development
- Engineering and Geodesy
- Fishing
Licences for free-zone companies
The list of available licences may vary by the free zone. However, in general it looks like this:
- The list of available licences may vary by the free zone. However, in general it looks like this:
- Commercial licence - gives the right to import, export, and sell the goods specified by it.
- Media licence - allows you to carry out marketing, PR, and other media services.
