Consultancy business setup in Dubai means licensing your advice as a professional activity, either on the mainland through DET or in a free zone. Management, HR and marketing consultancy needs no extra approval; engineering, legal, financial and training work may need a sector regulator first. Wordcraft compares both jurisdictions for your client base, files the license and handles visas and the attestation of your degree.
Does Your Consultancy Field Need a Regulator's Approval?
Most do not. Strategy, management, HR, marketing and IT advisory are licensed by DET or a free zone authority alone. Regulated advice is different: the body that supervises that profession normally approves the activity first, and it may review your qualifications and experience.
| Consultancy field | Who approves it | Documents usually asked for |
|---|---|---|
| Management, strategy, HR, marketing, IT advisory | DET on the mainland, or the free zone authority | Passports, description of services, Ejari or flexi-desk agreement |
| Engineering consultancy | Dubai Municipality classification of engineering consultants (requirements confirmed at application) | Attested engineering degree, experience letters, professional registration |
| Legal consultancy | Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Dubai (confirmed at application) | Attested law degree, record of practice |
| Financial or investment advisory | The relevant financial regulator for the activity (confirmed at application) | Qualifications, experience evidence, business plan |
| Training and education consultancy | KHDA for some training activities, otherwise DET (confirmed at application) | Attested degree, course or service outline |
For the licensing side, see DET and, for engineering firms, Dubai Municipality. We confirm which row applies to you before you pay any government charge.
Mainland or Free Zone for a Consultancy License
Ask who pays your invoices. If they are UAE mainland companies or government entities, or you work on their premises, a mainland license from DET fits: an LLC with full foreign ownership, a sole establishment or a civil company. If your clients are mainly abroad or inside free zones, a free zone license is usually simpler to run. Our professional license in Dubai page explains the mainland legal forms.
Consultants who choose a free zone usually shortlist zones with multi-activity service licenses and flexi-desk packages: IFZA and Meydan Free Zone in Dubai, SHAMS and SPC in Sharjah, and RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah. The UAE free zones comparison lines them up by activity range and office type.
When a Local Service Agent Is Required
A foreign national who licenses a sole establishment or civil company for professional work on the mainland may need a UAE national as local service agent. The agent represents you before government departments and holds no shares or profit. An LLC or a free zone company avoids the requirement in most cases. Current rules vary by activity, so we confirm before you apply; the details are on our local service agent page, and we can arrange one for you.
Office Options That Keep Early Overheads Low
On the mainland, the office needs a tenancy registered in Ejari, and many professional activities accept an approved business-center office, which keeps the first year lean. Free zones sell flexi-desk and serviced office packages, each with a set visa allocation. If you plan to hire analysts or associates, pick space that will carry the visas you need two years from now, not just your own.
Attesting the Degree Behind Your Advice
Regulated fields, and some visa categories, ask for an attested degree. A certificate issued abroad is authenticated in the issuing country and then legalized by the UAE embassy there, which now completes the MOFA attestation digitally in the same step. If the authority wants it in Arabic, our MOJ-certified translators prepare the legal translation. See degree certificate attestation for country routes.
Our Steps for Consultancy Business Setup in Dubai
- Tell us your field, who your clients are and how many visas you need; our written quote reaches you in 10–30 minutes.
- Pay by secure link. We book the trade name, get initial approval and start any degree attestation in parallel.
- We register the office or free zone desk and, where needed, arrange the notary appointment for the MOA or the service-agent agreement.
- The license is issued, followed by the establishment card, your residence visa and support with the bank account opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a consultancy license the same as a professional license?
Consultancy is one of the activities issued under a professional (service) license. The exact activity name on the license depends on your field.
Can I add several advisory fields to one license?
Often yes, especially in free zones that bundle service activities. A regulated field on the same license still needs its own approval.
Can a free zone consultancy bill clients on the mainland?
Many advisory contracts with mainland clients are possible from a free zone, but working on their premises or bidding for local tenders can be restricted. A mainland license removes that doubt.
Do I need an attested degree to open a consultancy?
Only for regulated activities or certain visa types. We tell you at the quote stage, so you do not attest papers you will never use.
How does corporate tax apply to a consultancy?
UAE companies have paid corporate tax at 9% on taxable profit above the threshold since June 2023. Free zone companies get 0% only on qualifying income, and advisory fees from mainland clients may not qualify. There is no personal income tax. We do not prepare tax returns; a registered tax agent should advise, and the rules are on the Federal Tax Authority site.
Can I sponsor my family once the company is set up?
Yes. After your residence visa is issued through the company, you can usually sponsor your spouse and children, subject to the normal income and document requirements.
What decides the cost of a consultancy license?
Mainly the jurisdiction, the office type, the number of visas and whether your field needs a regulator's approval. Your quote shows each government charge and our fee separately.
Last updated: September 2026
