Business Activity Finder UAE
Describe your business in plain words, such as “sell clothes on Instagram” or “open a coffee shop”, and see the matching UAE business activity, licence type, cost range, approvals and timeline. Covers 451 activities.
Free · no sign-up
Free zone or mainland? 3 quick questions
UAE licence types by activity
| Licence category | Typical activities | Free zone from | Extra approvals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial 95 activities |
Trading, retail, e-commerce | AED 5,750 | Usually none beyond the trade licence |
| Service 108 activities |
Cleaning, repair, events, salons | AED 5,750 | Usually none beyond the trade licence |
| Professional 42 activities |
Consultancy, IT, marketing, design | AED 6,500 | Qualification attestation may be required |
| Contracting 22 activities |
Building, fit-out, MEP work | AED 20,000 | Municipality contractor registration and grade classification |
| Industrial 151 activities |
Manufacturing and processing | AED 15,000 | Municipality, Civil Defence and MoIAT industrial licence |
| Financial 20 activities |
Brokerage, exchange, investment | AED 50,000 | Regulator approval (CBUAE, SCA, DFSA, FSRA or VARA) plus paid-up capital |
| Healthcare 4 activities |
Clinics, pharmacies | AED 25,000 | DHA, MOHAP or DoH facility licence plus individual staff licensing |
| Education 7 activities |
Training centres, nurseries | AED 25,000 | KHDA, ADEK or Ministry of Education permit |
Indicative first-year ranges for the licence package, before visas. See the business setup cost calculator for a full estimate.
Popular business activities
Email me these matches
More free UAE calculators
End-of-service gratuity plus your full final settlement Leave Salary Calculator
Annual leave earned, balance and what it pays Salary Calculator
Hourly, daily, monthly and take-home pay Overtime Calculator
Day, night, rest-day and holiday overtime Notice Period Calculator
Last working day + working days counter UAE Government Fees
61 official fees, each with its source Salary Certificate Generator
Ready salary certificate in Word or PDF NOC Letter Generator
Travel, visa, part-time and bank NOCs Experience Letter Generator
Experience certificate with duties UAE Public Holidays 2027
Eid dates and a long-weekend planner VAT Calculator
Add or remove 5% VAT; registration check Corporate Tax Calculator
9% tax, Small Business Relief to 2029 Arabic Business Name Generator
Your company name in Arabic + rules check Business Setup Cost
Estimate a UAE company and visa cost Visa Eligibility Checker
Golden, Green or investor visa?
Frequently asked questions
What is a business activity in the UAE?
Every UAE trade licence lists one or more approved business activities, the exact things the company is allowed to do. You choose them from the official activity list of the licensing authority (a free zone or the Department of Economy on the mainland). The activity decides the licence type, the approvals you need and often the cost.
Which licence do I need for my business?
It depends on the activity. Buying and selling goods needs a commercial licence, services and consultancy need a professional (or service) licence, manufacturing needs an industrial licence, and regulated sectors such as healthcare, education and finance need extra approval from their regulator. Search your business above to see the match.
Can I have more than one activity on one licence?
Usually yes. Most free zones allow several related activities on one licence, often up to a set number from the same group. Mixing very different groups, such as trading and professional services, can need a different licence package or a second licence.
Should I choose a free zone or the mainland?
A free zone is usually cheaper and fine for online, international or business-to-business work. The mainland lets you trade directly with UAE customers anywhere, open a shop and bid for government work. The licence wizard on this page gives a quick recommendation.
Is this the official activity list?
No. It is a guide based on the activities we cover, with indicative costs. Each licensing authority publishes its own official list and codes, so confirm the exact activity and code with the free zone or the Department of Economy before applying.
A guide, not an official list. Activity names, codes and costs differ between free zones and the mainland; confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
Last updated: October 2026 · Maintained by the My Business Setup editorial team