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Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE) | My Business Setup

Plaster Works Contracting License: Cost, Documents & Timeline

Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.

Getting a Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE) is a practical route for founders who want a compliant way to start operations in the UAE. You can register on the Mainland or in a Free Zone. Timelines typically range from 6 to 14 working days once documents are ready. Initial visa quotas commonly start from 1 to 4 and scale with office allocation.

Category Contracting
Free zone cost AED 20,000 - 55,000
Mainland cost AED 25,000 - 50,000
Timeline 15-30 working days
Office Physical office with Ejari required
Visa quota Scales with office size and grade

Who Should Consider a Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE)?

  • Lean founders validating demand
  • SMEs expanding services or adding a new revenue line
  • Operators formalizing existing work under a UAE entity

What You Can and Cannot Do

Permitted scope depends on the exact wording of the activity and the issuing authority. Some tasks require separate approvals. Confirm fit for Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE) before applying.

Jump to Documents or FAQs.

How Much Does a Plaster Works Contracting License Cost?

For a Plaster Works Contracting License, expect AED 20,000 - 55,000 in a free zone and AED 25,000 - 50,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 15-30 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.

Indicative year-one cost for a Plaster Works Contracting License — reviewed October 2026
ItemIndicative costNotes
Free-zone licence (year one) AED 20,000 - 55,000 Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end
Mainland licence (year one) AED 25,000 - 50,000 Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately
Establishment / immigration card AED 1,200 - 2,000 One-off, needed before any visa
Investor or partner visa (2 years) AED 3,500 - 5,500 Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change
Employee visa (2 years) AED 4,000 - 6,500 Per employee, plus deposit on mainland
Ejari tenancy (mainland only) from AED 15,000 / year Not required for a free-zone flexi desk
Corporate tax registration No fee 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000
Annual licence renewal 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee Excludes one-off formation items

Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.

Approvals you should budget time for

Municipality contractor registration and grade classification. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.

Expect a base trade license plus immigration add-ons. Mainland vs Free Zone, shareholders, and office type (flexi/shared vs Ejari) affect price. Many packages start from ~AED 10,800 excluding optional immigration.

Good to know

  • 100% foreign ownership available
  • Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
  • Visa quota scales with office size

Watch out

  • Choosing the wrong jurisdiction for your sales model
  • Under-budgeting immigration items (establishment card, visas)
  • Missing activity-specific technical approvals

How to Get Started

  1. Choose jurisdiction
  2. Initial approval
  3. Method statements & staff
  4. License issuance
  5. Mobilize crew

Documents Checklist

  • Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
  • Current visa/entry status
  • 2 to 3 preferred trade names
  • Brief scope & staffing plan

Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE) FAQs

Is a physical office mandatory for Plaster Works Contracting License (UAE)?

Many Free Zones allow flexi/shared packages. Mainland may require Ejari depending on visas and the activity.

How many visas can I start with?

Commonly 1 to 4 at the start, subject to office allocation and immigration rules.

What is included in the base cost?

Trade license and core company docs. Immigration items (establishment card, status change, medical, Emirates ID) may be bundled or itemized.

Planning your UAE setup?

Free tools and guides to set up the right way:

Last updated: October 2026

Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.