Business setup in Dubai begins with a single, defining choice: your business activity. The Business Activity List in Dubai is an official list that shows all the business types approved by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Free Zone authorities. Your chosen activity defines what your company is legally allowed to do.
Every business in Dubai must be registered under a specific activity. Whether you plan to trade products, offer professional services, run an online business, or open a factory, the activity you select decides your license type, visa options, banking approval, and tax responsibilities. Picking the wrong one can lead to delays, extra costs, and compliance issues later on.
That’s why understanding the list of business activities in Dubai is so essential before you start.
What Is a Business Activity in Dubai?
A business activity in Dubai simply means what your company is allowed to do legally. It clearly explains the nature of your work, whether you are selling products, offering services, running an online business, or manufacturing goods. Every company in the UAE must select one or more approved activities from the official government list while applying for a trade license. You can only operate within the activities mentioned on your license.
For example, if you say you want to "open a restaurant," the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) needs to know if your specific activity is:
“Restaurant” (selling food to seated customers)
“Floating Restaurant” (on a boat)
“Cafeteria” (selling small snacks)
Difference Between Business Activity and Business License
Many people think a business activity and a business license are the same, but they are actually different.
- A business activity explains what your business does (for example, IT consultancy, restaurant, or general trading).
- A business license gives you legal permission to operate that activity in Dubai.
Example: If you choose the activities "Accounting Services" and "Tax Consultancy," the government will issue you a Professional License. You do not get an "Accounting License"; you get a Professional License that lists those two specific activities.
Who Regulates Business Activities in Dubai?
Regulation depends entirely on where your business is registered (Mainland vs. Free Zone) and what you are doing.
The Primary Regulators (Issuing Authorities):
- Mainland Dubai: Regulated by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) (formerly the DED). They manage the master list of over 2,000 permitted activities.
- Free Zones: Regulated by the specific Free Zone Authority (e.g., IFZA, DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC). Each Free Zone has its own list of permitted activities, often tailored to specific industries (e.g., Dubai Internet City focuses on tech activities).
The External Regulators (Sector-Specific):
Some activities are considered "sensitive" or "regulated" and require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a third-party government body before the DET or Free Zone can issue the license.
- Healthcare Activities: Regulated by Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
- Education/Training: Regulated by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
- Construction/Engineering: Regulated by Dubai Municipality.
- Financial Services: Regulated by the Central Bank of UAE or SCA.
- Food Trading/Manufacturing: Regulated by the Food Safety Department.
Complete List of Business Activities in Dubai, UAE
Dubai offers thousands of approved business activities across different industries. To make it easy to understand, these activities are divided into categories based on the nature of the business. Below is a simplified, category-wise Dubai business activity list:
Commercial Business Activities:
These activities mainly involve buying, selling, and trading of goods.
- General Trading
- Import & Export Trading
- Wholesale & Retail Trading
- Food & Beverage Trading
- Electronics & Mobile Trading
- Computer & IT Equipment Trading
- Furniture & Home Décor Trading
- Garments, Textiles & Fabric Trading
- Perfumes & Cosmetics Trading
- Watches & Jewellery Trading
- Toys & Baby Products Trading
- Stationery & Office Supplies Trading
- Building Materials Trading
- Hardware & Tools Trading
- Sanitary Ware & Plumbing Materials Trading
- Auto Spare Parts & Accessories Trading
- Tyres & Battery Trading
- Medical Equipment Trading
- Safety & Security Equipment Trading
- Agricultural Products Trading
- Cleaning Materials Trading
- Used Goods Trading
- Scrap Trading
- Cold Store & Refrigerated Goods Trading
Professional Business Activities:
These are service-based activities where skills, knowledge, or expertise are offered.
- Business & Management Consultancy
- Marketing, Advertising & PR Services
- IT & Software Consultancy
- Web Design & App Development
- Accounting, Auditing & Bookkeeping
- HR & Recruitment Services
- Legal Consultancy
- Real Estate Consultancy
- Engineering Consultancy
- Educational & Training Services
- Immigration & Visa Consultancy
- Interior Design & Decoration Services
- Architecture Services
- Translation & Typing Centres
- Project Management Consultancy
- Media Production Services
- Photography & Videography Services
- Security Consultancy
- Environmental Consultancy
- Market Research & Data Analysis
- Corporate Training Services
- Event Planning & Management
- Quality Control & Testing Services
Industrial Business Activities:
These activities involve manufacturing, production, and processing.
- Food Processing & Manufacturing
- Bakery & Confectionery Manufacturing
- Beverage & Mineral Water Production
- Plastic Products Manufacturing
- Paper & Packaging Manufacturing
- Garment & Textile Manufacturing
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Carpentry & Wood Products Manufacturing
- Metal Fabrication & Steel Works
- Aluminium & Glass Manufacturing
- Cement Products Manufacturing
- Chemical & Cleaning Products Manufacturing
- Soap & Detergent Manufacturing
- Printing Press & Publishing
- Bottle & Container Manufacturing
- Rubber Products Manufacturing
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
- Cable & Wire Manufacturing
- Prefabricated Building Manufacturing
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
Tourism & Hospitality Activities:
These activities are related to travel, tourism, and guest services.
- Travel Agency
- Tour Operator
- Inbound & Outbound Tourism
- Holiday Homes Rental
- Hotel & Resort Management
- Guest House Operations
- Desert Safari Services
- Cruise & Yacht Charter Services
- Car Rental Services
- Tourism Consultancy
- Event & Exhibition Management
- Catering & Outdoor Catering Services
- Restaurant, Café & Food Truck Operations
- Party Planning Services
- Recreational Activity Centres
E-Commerce & Online Business Activities:
These activities cover businesses that operate digitally or sell online.
- E-commerce Trading
- Online Store for Products
- Online Service Marketplace
- Digital Marketing Agency
- SEO & Social Media Management
- Influencer Marketing Services
- Website Design & Development
- Mobile App Development
- Software Development
- IT Support & Maintenance
- Cloud Computing Services
- Online Education & Coaching
- Dropshipping Business
- Subscription-Based Online Services
- Digital Content Distribution
Freelance & Creative Business Activities:
This is ideal for independent professionals and creative entrepreneurs.
- Freelance Photography
- Videography & Film Production
- Graphic Design
- Content Writing & Copywriting
- Social Media Influencer
- Fashion Designing
- Animation & Motion Graphics
- Game Design
- Music Composition & Production
- Voice Over Services
- Makeup Artist
- Wedding & Lifestyle Event Planning
- Visual Arts & Illustration
- UI/UX Designing
- Creative Direction Services
Healthcare & Medical Activities (Special Approval Required):
These activities require additional government approvals.
- Medical Clinics & Polyclinics
- Dental Clinics
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centres
- Diagnostic & Pathology Labs
- Pharmacies
- Medical Equipment & Surgical Devices Trading
- Home Healthcare Services
- Healthcare Consultancy
- Wellness & Alternative Therapy Centres
- Fitness & Rehabilitation Studios
Education & Training Activities (Special Approval Required):
These include teaching and skill development services.
- Schools & Nurseries
- Training Institutes
- Vocational Training Centres
- Professional Skill Development Centres
- Online Learning Platforms
- Language Training Centres
- Test Preparation Institutes
- Corporate Training Services
- Special Education Centres
- Music, Dance & Art Academies
Financial & Investment Activities (Special Approval Required):
Highly regulated business activities in Dubai.
- Financial Consultancy
- Investment Advisory
- Insurance Brokerage
- Stock Brokerage
- Commodity Trading Brokerage
- Forex Brokerage
- Fintech Services
- Crypto Asset Services
- Crowdfunding Platforms
- Wealth Management Services
Transport, Logistics & Construction Activities:
For infrastructure, logistics, and transport services.
- Transport & Passenger Transport Services
- Cargo & Freight Forwarding
- Courier & Delivery Services
- Logistics & Supply Chain Services
- Warehouse & Storage Facilities
- Shipping Agency
- Construction Contracting
- General Maintenance Services
- Heavy Equipment & Crane Rental
- Road, Bridge & Infrastructure Contracting
- Scaffolding Services
- Demolition Services
Note: Not all business activities are available in every Mainland and Free Zone jurisdiction. Some activities also require external government approvals before the license is issued.
How to Choose the Right Business Activity in Dubai?
Selecting the right business activity in Dubai is the most critical step in your company setup because it dictates your legal liability, cost, and operational limits.
1. Understand What Your Business Will Actually Do
Start by clearly defining your business model. Ask yourself:
- Will you be selling products or providing services?
- Will your business be online, offline, or both?
- Are you targeting local customers, international clients, or both?
Your business activity should match your actual operations, not just what sounds profitable.
2. Choose Between Trading, Professional, or Industrial
Your activity will fall under one of these main categories:
- Commercial (Trading): Buying and selling goods
- Professional: Service-based businesses
- Industrial: Manufacturing and production
3. Check the Location Compatibility
- Local Market Focus: If you want to open a shop, restaurant, or trade directly with Dubai consumers, you generally need a Mainland license.
- International/Remote Focus: If you are a consultant or online business targeting clients globally or outside the UAE, a Free Zone license is often cheaper and easier.
4. Identify Regulated Activities
Ask yourself: Does my business involve health, money, food, or education? If yes, you cannot just "pick" the activity. You must factor in 1–3 months extra for approvals from bodies like the DHA (Health), KHDA (Education), or SCA (Finance).
5. Verify Visa Requirements
Some activities (like construction or cleaning services) allow you to hire unlimited staff (labourers). Others (like home-based consultancies) may cap you at 0–2 visas. Ensure the activity code grants the visa quota you need.
6. Consider Banking & Tax Requirements
Certain business activities face stricter:
- Bank account checks
- VAT registration rules
- Corporate Tax obligations
For example, trading businesses often need VAT registration once they cross the threshold, while professional services may have different tax planning needs.
7. Get Expert Guidance Before Finalising
Dubai has thousands of approved activities, and many of them sound similar but come with very different rules. A small mistake in activity selection can lead to:
- License rejection
- Banking issues
- Compliance penalties
This is why taking help from business setup experts like Shuraa India, before finalising your business activity, is always a smart move.
Can You Add Multiple Business Activities Under One License?
Yes, you can add multiple business activities under one license in Dubai, as long as the activities are related, compatible, and approved by the authorities. This is a popular option for entrepreneurs who want to offer more than one product or service without opening multiple companies.
When Is It Allowed?
You can add more than one business activity under a single license if:
- The activities fall under the same license category (Commercial, Professional, or Industrial), or
- The authorities approve a mixed-activity license
- The activities are logically connected to each other
For example, you can combine:
- Electronics Trading + Mobile Accessories Trading
- IT Consultancy + Web Development Services
- Marketing Consultancy + Digital Advertising Services
When Is It Not Allowed?
You generally can’t mix unrelated business activities without special approval. For example:
- A restaurant + financial consultancy
- Medical clinic + car rental services
- Manufacturing + legal consultancy
Such combinations require extra approvals, separate licenses, or may not be allowed at all.
How Many Activities Can You Add Under One License?
- Dubai Mainland (DET): You can typically add up to 10 activities per license for one standard fee. If you go above 10, you pay a small extra fee per additional activity.
- Free Zones: Most standard packages come with 3 to 5 activities. If you want to add more, you usually pay a fee (e.g., AED 1,000–2,000) per extra activity.
How to Add a Business Activity?
If you already have a license and want to expand your business scope, you don't need a new company. You can perform a "License Amendment."
- Initial Approval: Apply to the DET or Free Zone Authority to add the new activity code.
- External Approval (If required): If the new activity is regulated (e.g., you are adding "Engineering" to a "Construction" license), you must get the NOC from the Municipality/relevant body.
- Update MOA: If you are an LLC, you must amend your Memorandum of Association (MOA) to reflect the new scope of work (requires a notary signing).
- Pay Fees: Pay the amendment fee (approx. AED 2,000–5,000 depending on jurisdiction).
- New License: You receive an updated license copy with the new activities listed.
How Shuraa India Can Help
Dubai truly stands out as a place where businesses from almost every industry can grow and succeed. The key is choosing the right business activity from the start, because that single decision shapes your license, visas, banking, taxes, and overall compliance journey.
And if you ever feel confused about where to start, Shuraa India is here to guide you at every step. We offer a free consultation to help you choose from the list of business activities in Dubai, support you with Mainland and Free Zone licenses, take care of all documentation and approvals, and even assist with bank account and tax registration. Get a free consultation today!