How to Get a Professional License in Dubai, UAE?

In Dubai, the Department of Economic Development (DED) offers various licenses for different types of businesses. If you’re involved in trading, you’ll need a commercial license. For manufacturing, an industrial license is required. And for professional services, you’ll need a professional license issued by the DED. In this article, we will focus on providing you with all the essential information about obtaining a DED professional license in Dubai.

Dubai is the attraction of service providers and professionals from all around the world. Additionally, the professionals can own 100% of their service businesses thanks to the professional license in Dubai.

This is because the professional license in Dubai allows the sole proprietorship company structure. As a result, the professional license in Dubai is very popular among entrepreneurs and investors as well.

professional license in dubai

What is a DED professional license?

A DED professional license is a type of license issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is specifically designed for individuals or companies engaged in professional services, such as consulting, legal services, engineering, healthcare, and various other specialized fields.

Obtaining a DED professional license allows individuals or companies to legally operate and provide their professional services within Dubai. It ensures compliance with local regulations and demonstrates credibility to clients and customers.

To obtain a professional trade license in Dubai, you will need to provide educational certificates and prove your area of expertise. This is because the professional license in Dubai is granted based on your level of education and expertise regarding the subject.

Who needs a DED Professional License in Dubai?

In Dubai, individuals or companies engaged in professional services, such as consultants, lawyers, engineers, doctors, and various other specialized fields, need a DED professional license. This license is specifically required for those who provide professional services as their primary business activity within the emirate. It ensures compliance with local regulations and is essential for operating legally and offering professional services in Dubai.

Here are the Professional license activities in Dubai:

  • Artisanship
  • Carpentry
  • Consultancy services
  • Healthcare and Medical Services
  • Printing and publishing
  • Beauty salons
  • Internet and Web Design Services
  • Management Consultancies
  • Repair services
  • Security services
  • Inventive engineering
  • Accountants, Auditors, and Financial Advisors
  • Advertising Professionals
  • Entertainment Artists
  • Architectural Consultants
  • Teachers and Educational Professionals
  • Lawyers and Legal Advisors
  • Services in Information Technology
  • Document clearing, etc.

These are some of the popular ones, however, there are many more sectors that are covered by the professional license in Dubai.

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How to Get a Professional License in Dubai?

Since the professional license is so popular among entrepreneurs and investors in Dubai, it is relatively quick and easy to obtain. However, if it is your first time starting a business in the UAE, then it is highly suggested you seek assistance from professionals while obtaining the license.

Here are the steps you need to follow to start a services business and get a professional license in Dubai:

  1. Fill the local service agreement form with the UAE national from a local translator and get the form attested from a public notary service
  2. A legal translator seal has not required if the agreement is in Arabic
  3. Make a Memorandum of Association (MOA) with the sponsor
  4. Mention the sponsor’s early fee in the agreement
  5. If you are getting a license for a civil company then you need to fill one more application form and get it attested
  6. All the partners/owners have to attend the notary to sign the court agreement
  7. Get approval from the municipality for the tenancy contract
  8. Submit all the forms with attestation (one original copy each)
  9. Submit passport copies of owner/partners and NOC for expatriate owner/partners (if any), at any branch of the DED
  10. Make payment at the counter and get the license; a payment voucher would be issued at the same time

Documents Required to Get a Professional License in Dubai

The Department of Economic Development in Dubai requires a few documents from all businesses for regulatory purposes. Additionally, the documents required will differ because of different business activities. However, there are some common documents that every business needs to provide.

Also Read: Difference between Commercial License and Professional License in Dubai

Here are the documents required to obtain the professional license in Dubai:

  • Filled application form to get a professional license
  • Copies of the passports of all the shareholders.
  • Copies of the visa pages of all the shareholders.
  • The filled-up application form for the professional license.
  • The tenancy agreement and EJARI.
  • A No Objection Certificate (NOC) if any of the shareholders have a residency visa.

Cost of a Professional License in Dubai, UAE

The cost of a professional license in Dubai is approximately AED 15,310, which encompasses various fees and charges. These include fees for the professional license itself, trade name registration, service agent fees, market fees (based on the tenancy amount), government cultural fees, administrative service fees, and local fees. It’s important to note that these costs can vary depending on the specific circumstances and requirements of the professional license application.

Advantages of Getting a Professional License in Dubai

There are a lot of advantages to starting a service-related business in Dubai. This is because the population in Dubai has a lot of expendable income to avail these services that you will be provided in the city.

Here are the advantages of obtaining a professional license in Dubai:

  1. 100% ownership of the business for foreigners.
  2. Lenient tax laws for corporations.
  3. No personal taxes.
  4. 100% repatriation of capital and profits to home country.
  5. Attractive market with an ever-growing customer base.
  6. Wide range of business structures to choose from.
  7. Wide range of business activities to choose from.

Frequently Asked Questions about professional license in Dubai

Can a professional company have 100% ownership?

The most significant advantage of obtaining a DED professional license in Dubai is that it allows you to have 100% ownership of your business. Unlike other types of trade licenses, which require partnering with a UAE national who holds 51% of the shares, a professional license enables you to retain full ownership with no local partner involvement.

With a professional license, you are only required to have an agreement with a local service agent, whom you pay an agreed fee annually. This agent facilitates government-related procedures on your behalf, while you maintain complete ownership and control of your business.

How can I get a professional license in UAE?

Firstly, you will have to decide on the business activities that you are going to perform in the UAE. The second step is to hire a local service agent who will take care of all the legal formalities for you. Additionally, you will have to take a few important decisions regarding your business.

For example, you will have to decide on the company structure, trade name, office address, etc. After that, the local service agent will take care of the rest.

Why is a professional license needed?

There are several kinds of business trade licenses in the UAE, each with its own specific purpose. In other words, each of the business trade licenses allows a wide range of business activities of their category. This means that the professional license will allow business activities related to the service industry.

For example, businesses that want to provide healthcare services will need a professional license. After they obtain that, they can perform their business activities legally inside the UAE.

How can I check my professional license in Dubai?

You can check your professional trade license from the official UAE website. To clarify, the website provides various links through which you can check various aspects of your business.

For example, you can check which business activities are allowed, the availability of trade names, the options for business trade licenses, etc. Consequently, through the business trade license link, you can check your professional license in Dubai.

How can Company Setup Consultants help you?

If you want to start a service-related business in Dubai but do not know where to get started, then you are in the right place. Because we will obtain the professional license in Dubai for you so that you are free to do more important things. Contact us today and hit the ground running.

For further information and assistance on How to Get a Professional License in Dubai, UAE. To Speak with our Experienced Business Consultants for further information and assistance, call us at +971582595164. You can also book your free business setup consultation today! Send a WhatsApp Message for Chat Query on +971 582595164 or email us at info@companysetup.ae.