IT and software company business setup in Dubai starts with matching license activities to what you actually sell: development, IT consultancy, SaaS, cybersecurity or hardware. Pure software work needs only a DET or free zone license, while telecom equipment and radio devices add TDRA. Wordcraft forms the company, files any approval, arranges developer visas and can localize your product into Arabic.
Which IT Activities Need Approval Beyond the License
For most tech founders the answer is none. Software development, app and web design and IT consultancy are licensed by DET or the free zone authority on their own. Approvals come in when you sell hardware that transmits, handle payments, or process health data.
| What you do | Who approves it | Documents usually needed |
|---|---|---|
| Software development, web and app design, IT consultancy, SaaS | DET for mainland companies, or the zone's own authority | Passports, description of products or services, office agreement |
| Selling computers, devices or software licenses | DET (commercial activity) or the free zone authority | Activity list, supplier or distributor details |
| Telecom equipment, network services, radio or wireless devices | Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) | Product specifications, manufacturer documents, test reports |
| Payments, fintech or digital-asset platforms | The relevant financial regulator (confirmed at application) | Business plan, compliance and ownership documents |
| Health-tech handling patient data or clinical services | DHA where health services or data are involved (confirmed at application) | Product description, data-handling policy |
Personal data is not a license item but a compliance duty: the UAE federal data protection law applies onshore, while DIFC and ADGM run their own regimes. Background on licensing in the emirate is on DET and Invest in Dubai.
Mainland, Tech Park or Multi-Activity Free Zone
Most IT services count as professional activities, and hardware sales count as commercial ones. Many companies need both. A mainland license from DET suits firms that invoice UAE businesses or government directly, or place engineers on client sites. A free zone suits product companies, remote teams and agencies with international clients.
Within the free zones, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Silicon Oasis were built around tech companies and offer a recognized address. IFZA and Meydan Free Zone are popular with founders who want several activities on one license. Our UAE free zones comparison sets out the differences, and the free zone business setup page walks through the process.
Protecting Code, Brand and Founder Shares
For an IT company, the code and the product name are usually worth more than the furniture. File the name and logo through trademark registration before launch, not after a competitor copies it. Put founder and developer IP assignments in writing so investors and banks can see who owns the software. Where a UAE authority or court needs those agreements in Arabic, our MOJ-certified legal translators prepare them.
Hiring Developers From Abroad
Once the establishment card is issued, you can apply for employment visas for engineers, designers and support staff. The number you can sponsor depends on your office or free zone package, so a two-person flexi-desk will not carry a team of twelve. Some visa categories ask for an attested degree; we check each hire's paperwork before the application is filed, which avoids rejections halfway through.
Launching Your Product in Arabic
Gulf users expect Arabic interfaces, Arabic terms of service and right-to-left layouts that actually work. Because we translate as well as license, the same team can take your app strings, help center and legal pages through software localization, with a second linguist reviewing before release.
How We Handle IT Company Setup in Dubai
- Describe the product, your clients and hiring plan on WhatsApp; a written quote follows within 10–30 minutes.
- After payment, we select the activity codes, reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval.
- We register the office or free zone facility and file any TDRA or sector approval your model needs.
- The license is issued. Next come the establishment card, founder and developer visas, and help preparing the bank account file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one license cover software development and hardware sales?
Often, if the jurisdiction lets professional and commercial activities sit together. If not, we suggest the leanest structure that covers both.
Is a free zone or mainland license better for a SaaS company?
SaaS businesses selling worldwide usually pick a free zone. If most subscribers are UAE mainland companies or government bodies, a mainland license tends to be the smoother choice.
Do I need TDRA approval to publish an app?
Not for an ordinary app. TDRA matters when you sell telecom equipment, wireless devices or regulated network services.
Can a free zone IT company work for Dubai government clients?
Some public-sector buyers ask for a mainland license or local registration. Check the tender terms early, and we can add a mainland presence if it becomes necessary.
Can I hire developers from abroad?
Yes. After the establishment card, we apply for employment visas within the allocation of your office or package.
Do you translate our app or website into Arabic?
Yes. We localize interfaces, websites and legal terms, including website localization with right-to-left checks.
What decides the cost of an IT company setup?
The jurisdiction, the office or package, the number of visas and any TDRA or sector approval. Your quote lists each government charge and our fee before work starts.
Last updated: September 2026
