The UAE’s diverse economy makes it an appealing market for consulting firms. Consulting firms provide advice and guidance to individuals and large organizations that require the specialized services of professional consultants. With so many thriving industries in the UAE, business consulting and support demand is always on the rise. The first step in starting a consulting business in Dubai is to obtain a consulting license. So, if you have consulting experience and in-depth knowledge of your field, starting a consulting business in Dubai could be a very profitable move. Let us go over the entire process of obtaining a consulting license in Dubai.
Steps to Get a Consulting License in Dubai:
Select your business activity.
You can choose from over 2000 business activities across various industries and subsectors. You must select a business activity from a list available in the jurisdiction you have chosen to set up your business in Dubai.
Register the trade name of the company
For your consultancy license, you must select a trade name that adheres to Dubai’s business naming guidelines.
Choose a company structure suitable for your business
You need to finalize the company structure as per business requirements either Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company, or Branch of a Foreign Company.
Choose your business location
It is very important to choose the right location for your business. Considering your business need you can opt for either Dubai Mainland or any other Free zones in UAE which will fulfill your business needs.
Get your consultancy license
Submit all the documents and apply for a consultancy license and pay the license fees. Your license will be issued and you are ready to operate your business in UAE
Apply for UAE Residence Visa
Once your consultancy company is formed, you may apply for your residence visa in UAE
Open a corporate / company bank account.
A final step after collecting your business license and obtaining your resident visa you may proceed to apply for a corporate bank account, allowing you to receive clients’ payments.
Different types of Consultancy Licenses in Dubai
To obtain a consultancy license in Dubai or anywhere in UAE, ensure that you apply for the appropriate one based on the nature of the business activity you intend to conduct. In the UAE, there are various types of consultancy licenses based on a wide range of business activities, as follows:
- Strategic Marketing Consulting
- Financial Advisory
- Strategy Building Consultancy Project Management Consulting
- Industrial Consulting
- IT Consulting
- Legal Consulting
- Process and Operations Management Consulting
- Business Setup Consulting
- Project Management Consulting
- Accounting and Finance Consulting
- HR Services and Manpower Consulting
- Sales and Marketing Consultancy
- Logistics and Shipping Consulting
- Investment Consulting
- Engineering Consultancy
- Risk Management and Compliances Consulting
- Market Research Consulting
Cost Of A Consultancy License In Dubai
The cost of a consultancy license in Dubai depends on your business activities and jurisdiction which is either Mainland or Free zone. Getting a consultancy license in the Mainland starts from AED 10,000 – 15,000 and in the Free zone, the cost varies between AED 5,500 to 14,000 depending on the visa quotas.
Documents Required to apply for Consultancy License in Dubai
You can apply for a consultancy license in Dubai (commercial or professional license) through the Dubai free zone or the Department of Economic Development directly (DED). When applying for a consulting license, you must submit the following documents:
- Passport copies of the owner
- Photo copies with white background
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sponsors (if applicable)
- Residence Visa Copy (if a resident) or a Visit visa copy (if holds visit visa)
- Unified Number, if the shareholder is on a visit visa
- Emirates Id copy (If applicable)
The application process is quick, and the license is usually issued in a matter of days. You will receive an email with a scanned copy of the original trade license. You can immediately begin operating your consulting business after receiving a copy of the license.
Conclusion
Though applying for a Dubai consulting license is not a difficult process, foreign business owners must have a thorough understanding of the process and the necessary documentation. As a result, it is best to submit your application with the assistance of expert business setup consultants such as WeServe. Our team is knowledgeable about the licensing process and its requirements. Our experts are also familiar with the permitted business activities and can recommend the ones that are most appropriate for your company.
Call 050 717 0945 today to speak with one of our consulting business setup advisors!
