How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai starts from AED 4,999 for free zone setup and AED 12,000 for mainland. All-inclusive packages with visa and bank account range from AED 15,000-25,000. Entityz offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in UAE?

Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a company in UAE. Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership. Since 2021, mainland companies also permit 100% foreign ownership for most business activities under the Commercial Companies Law amendments.

How long does it take to set up a company in UAE?

Free zone company registration takes 1-5 business days. Mainland license takes 5-10 days. Visa processing requires 7-14 days. Bank account setup takes 2-4 weeks. Complete business setup typically takes 2-4 weeks total.

What is the difference between free zone and mainland in UAE?

Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax up to AED 375,000, and duty-free imports but limit trading to free zone or exports. Mainland licenses allow trading anywhere in UAE, working with government clients, and have no local market restrictions.

What is the best free zone in Dubai for ecommerce?

The best free zones for ecommerce are: IFZA (most affordable, fast processing), Meydan (good for startups), Shams in Sharjah (budget-friendly), DMCC (premium, commodities), and Dubai CommerCity (dedicated ecommerce zone). IFZA and Meydan are most popular for online businesses.

Do I need to be in Dubai to start a company?

No, you can start a UAE company remotely. Most free zones offer complete online registration. Physical presence is only required for Emirates ID biometrics, visa stamping, and some bank account openings. Many entrepreneurs complete the initial setup without traveling to Dubai.

What documents are needed to start a business in UAE?

Required documents include: passport copy (valid 6+ months), passport-sized photos with white background, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), NOC from current employer if UAE resident, and business plan for certain activities. Entityz assists with all documentation.

What is a UAE Golden Visa?

UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent. Eligibility includes: AED 2 million+ investment in property or business, successful entrepreneurs, or exceptional professionals in science, art, or sports.

How much is VAT in UAE?

UAE VAT is 5% on most goods and services. Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually must register for VAT. Some items are zero-rated (exports, international transport) or exempt (residential property, local transport, financial services).

Can I get a visa for my family with a UAE business?

Yes, UAE business owners can sponsor family visas including: spouse, children (unlimited), parents (with salary requirement), and domestic helpers. Family visa costs approximately AED 3,500-5,000 per person and is valid for 2-3 years, renewable.

Entityz · Activity Finder

UAE business activities

Search 14,977 licensed business activities by code or name across Dubai and Abu Dhabi mainland and eight free zones (IFZA, SPC, Dubai South, Meydan, ADGM, Masdar City, twofour54, RAK Innovation City). Filter, compare and download any list as CSV, Excel or a branded PDF. Updated 2026-06-15.

Search every UAE activity

CSV Excel Export PDF

14,977 activities · showing 100

Code	Activity	Source	Category
223003	Audio & Visual Recorded Media Reproduction Studio	DET	Social & Personal Services
513969	Authentic Antiques, Artefacts & Artworks Trading	DET	Trading & Services
151403	Vegetable Ghee Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
100045	Advanced Growing of Palms & Fruits	DET	Agriculture
921305	Film, TV & Radio Production Services	DET	Social & Personal Services
802201	Vocational School	DET	Education
100309	Kitchen Units Center	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
252011	Plastic Buckets & Pots Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
300002	Typewriter Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
749306	Tanks & Containers Cleaning Services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
181017	Ladies Wears Tailoring & Embroidery Workshop	DET	Manufacturing
100290	Managing Investments of Investment Funds	DET	Financial Intermediation
281105	Scaffolds & Ladders Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
014009	Trees Removal & Transplanting Services	DET	Agriculture
749310	Public Health Pests Control Services	DET	Social & Personal Services
741205	Taxation Procedures Follow-up	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
514929	Packing & Packaging Materials Trading	DET	Trading & Services
749401	Photography Services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
112004	Oil & Natural Gas Well Equipment Repairing & Maintenance	DET	Mining & Quarrying
504001	Motorcycles Trading	DET	Trading & Services
851212	Otolaryngology Clinic	DET	Health & Social Work
291918	Diving Equipment Assembling	DET	Classification Service
512201	Food Supplements Trading	DET	Trading & Services
672003	Insurance Actuaries	DET	Financial Intermediation
515102	Computer Systems & Communication Equipment Software Trading	DET	Trading & Services
900001	Transport of Garbage Trucks	DET	Social & Personal Services
552005	Juice & Soft Drinks Preparing	DET	Hotels
809059	Language Training	DET	Education
524005	Used Building Machinery & Equipment Trading	DET	Trading & Services
269903	Chalk Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
454001	Concrete Works	DET	Construction
100329	Management & Operation of Seaports & Airports & Leasing of Ports Equipment	DET	Trasport,Storage & Communicati
454019	Plaster Works	DET	Construction
100149	Space Logistics Services	DET	Trasport,Storage & Communicati
671102	Financial Instruments Quotation Services	DET	Financial Intermediation
514921	Waste Plastic Trading	DET	Trading & Services
112006	Offshore Oil & Natural Gas Wells Equipment Repairing	DET	Mining & Quarrying
232003	Petroleum Gas Liquefaction	DET	Manufacturing
519014	Dry Ice Trading	DET	Classification Service
924129	Football Club	DET	Classification Service
269506	Ready Mixed Concrete Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
930914	Ladies Health Club	DET	Social & Personal Services
749914	Fashion Designing	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
100190	Industrial Consultant	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
552010	Sweets & Candies Preparing	DET	Hotels
269603	Concrete Floating Structures Manufacturing	DET	Classification Service
100179	Vehicles Registration Services	DET	Agriculture
809056	Occupational Driving School	DET	Education
742157	Raw Materials Composition Engineering Services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
100156	Meteorite Trading	DET	Trading & Services
803003	Higher Education Institute	DET	Education
731004	Renewable Energy Engineering Consultancy	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
100241	Gaming Industry Research Services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
351102	Repair And Maintenance of Space Vehicles	DET	Manufacturing
749404	Aerial photography services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
513956	Para Pharmaceutical Products Trading	DET	Trading & Services
702001	Real Estate Buying & Selling Brokerage	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
012203	Egg Production	DET	Agriculture
100030	Hearing Screening Services	DET	Health & Social Work
369902	Stamps Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
742223	Products & Materials Transportation Equipment Inspection	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
100314	Traffic & Toll Systems Consultant	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
630409	Falconry Tour Services	DET	Trading & Services
514918	Gum & Glue Trading	DET	Trading & Services
809032	Fire fighting, rescue and occupational safety training	DET	Classification Service
100202	Lighting Weapons Trade	DET	Trading & Services
100412	Military Drones Repair and Maintenance and its parts	DET	Trading & Services
921402	Folklore Dances Performance	DET	Social & Personal Services
524006	Used Heavy Equipment & Machinery Trading	DET	Trading & Services
100326	Roads, Traffic & Traffic Accidents Consultancies & Studies	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
515977	Central Ventilators & Air-Filters Trading	DET	Trading & Services
749506	Labeling Services	DET	Trading & Services
100099	Technical & Vocational Certification Center	DET	Education
749946	Events Organizing & Managing	DET	Classification Service
711107	General Truck Rental	DET	Trasport,Storage & Communicati
502007	Car Washing & Cleaning	DET	Trading & Services
100263	Trading Non-regulated Derivative Contracts & Currencies in Spot Market	DET	Financial Intermediation
100415	Equipping Militry Aircrafts and its parts	DET	Manufacturing
514906	Industrial & Liquefied Natural Gas Trading	DET	Trading & Services
454006	Insulation Contracting	DET	Construction
515997	Offshore Radiation Equipment Trading	DET	Trading & Services
100350	Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services	DET	Financial Intermediation
630411	Out Bound Tour Operator	DET	Trasport,Storage & Communicati
924134	Motorcycle Club	DET	Classification Service
515926	Bakeries & Flour Mills Equipment Trading	DET	Trading & Services
711118	Hourly Car Rental	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
671901	Financial Consultation	DET	Financial Intermediation
519004	Glass Bottles Trading	DET	Classification Service
924139	Wrestling Training	DET	Classification Service
742136	Plastics Engineering Services	DET	Real Estate,Renting,Bus Servic
526014	Antiques & Rare Collections Repairing	DET	Trading & Services
515216	SIM Trading	DET	Trading & Services
515985	Security Systems & Equipment Trading	DET	Trading & Services
453005	Electromechanical Equipment Installation and Maintenance	DET	Construction
100421	Military Combat Vehicle Maintenance	DET	Trading & Services
242403	Perfumes Manufacturing	DET	Manufacturing
514324	Lighting Poles Trading	DET	Trading & Services
722906	Design Services	DET	Classification Service
930913	Gents Health Club	DET	Social & Personal Services
924118	Gymnastics Club	DET	Social & Personal Services

Choosing the right activity

Mainland or free zone

The DED/DET list governs Dubai mainland licences. Each free zone (IFZA, SPC, Dubai South) maps its own activities to the same ISIC framework. Your choice affects ownership, office and visa rules.

Activity codes

Every activity carries a code used on your trade licence. You can search this list directly by that code to confirm wording, grouping and any third-party approvals.

Bundling activities

Most licences allow several activities under one licence. We help you select a compliant combination and handle the application end to end.

Code

Activity

Source

Mainland or free zone

The DED/DET list governs Dubai mainland licences. Each free zone (IFZA, SPC, Dubai South) maps its own activities to the same ISIC framework. Your choice affects ownership, office and visa rules.

Activity codes

Every activity carries a code used on your trade licence. You can search this list directly by that code to confirm wording, grouping and any third-party approvals.

Bundling activities

Most licences allow several activities under one licence. We help you select a compliant combination and handle the application end to end.