Several commercial activity in the Dubai Economic Department require external clearance to conduct business on the Dubai Mainland. The following are some of the most common types of activities that require external approval:
1. Restaurants/cafeterias/coffee shops
Having simmered over the years, Dubai’s food scene has heated up! The emirate now boasts some 13,000 establishments, and some have garnered global recognition. Due to the increasing popularity of cloud kitchens, a license can be issued in as little as a day. In any case, relevant authorities must inspect your facility to ensure it meets their requirements and issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) before you begin operating.
License type: Professional
Category 1: Location
- The area must exceed 200 sq. ft.
- Ample space for cooking equipment
- Provision for waste disposal
- Smoke management system
- Storage areas
- Washroom
- Non-absorbent, washable, and fireproof walls, floors, and roof
- No pests
- A separate wash basin for vegetables, meat, and utensils
- Blueprint of the restaurant/cafeteria, with floorplan indicating the locations of the food storage and processing; the locations of windows, entrances, and exits
Category 2: Food safety
- Consignment release license
- Permit for food-transporting vehicles
- Additional permits for handling and serving non-halal items that include pork or alcohol
Approvals
Dubai Municipality (DM) – Food safety and public safety departments.
Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) – This special approval for business is required if your restaurant or cafe is in a hotel.
2. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and accessories trading
Selling e-cigarettes without registering the product is a crime in the UAE. Products that are unregistered and flout the standards set out by the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) are considered fakes. Penalties and other punishments will be imposed if you try to distribute e-cigarette products that don’t comply with ESMA regulations.
License type: Commercial
Requirements
- To ensure public safety, traders must display health warnings similar to those shown on tobacco and regular cigarettes.
- Ejari is mandatory. Traders can choose to set up shop in either malls or standalone buildings.
Approvals
- Emirates Standardization and Meteorology Authority (ESMA).
- Dubai Municipality – Narcotics Department.
- DED – NOC from the relevant official.
3. Selling or serving non-halal products
The UAE has an advanced and globally competitive halal industry system. It is no secret that alcohol and pork are major prohibited items in Middle Eastern countries. Yet, the UAE respects and cares for all its residents regardless of their personal, lifestyle, or religious beliefs. Non-halal goods, however, are subject to strict regulations.
License type: To sell pork products in supermarkets, a commercial license is needed, while to deal in alcohol, you will need a liquor trading license based on the activities you wish to carry out. These can include importing, selling to third parties, and serving in a hotel, restaurant, or club.
Requirements
Stores/Supermarkets that sell pork meat and other products that contain pork must have a separate area of at least 232 sqm away from regular products. They should also appoint dedicated employees to handle pork products and control the freezer temperature.
- Restaurants serving pork must clearly describe pork dishes on separate menus in English and Arabic.
- Alcohol can only be served in restaurants located in four- or five-star hotels.
- Do not advertise the sale of liquor.
Approvals
Dubai Municipality (DM) – Food safety and public safety departments Permit from public safety departments. A permit from the Department of Economy & Tourism (formerly DED).
A liquor permit must be obtained from Dubai Police General Headquarters (DPGH) for selling alcohol.
4. Wireless telecommunications equipment trading and wired & wireless communication systems installation
With Dubai’s urban population and fast-paced cities heavily relying on technology, UAE is highly concerned about telecom equipment users’ safety and streamlined experiences (general public). Considering that wireless communications are sensitive, UAE closely monitors them.
License type: Commercial & Professional
- A Commercial license is required to trade equipment that helps transmit voice, data, text, audio, and video via mobile phones and other devices.
- Professional license for installation services
Requirements
- Networks shouldn’t be interfered with or damaged by imported equipment.
- Devices must meet specified technical standards.
Approvals
- “Type approval” from Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
A commercial space (a shop or an office) is mandatory.
5. Jeweler/luxury goods trading
Among the many things that make Dubai famous is its gold market, the Dubai Souk. There is much potential for profit when starting a jewelry business in Dubai. Whether it’s high-quality jewelry or antiques, there are plenty of buyers.
Businesses in Dubai’s jewelry and gold sector may also import and export precious metals or provide diamond exchange services. The operation of this business requires strict inspections, approvals, and a customs code number.
License type: Commercial
Requirements
- The store should be at least 150 sq ft to 200 sq ft in size.
- It is mandatory for owners to install surveillance cameras, security alarms, and a video guard.
Approvals
- Security Industry Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
6. Women/gents haircutting & hairdressing salons
Looking good is big business. Dubai is home to millions of style-savvy and image-conscious residents and leads the region when it comes to haircutting & hairdressing salons. A total of USD 3bn is predicted to be generated by the haircare industry by 2025, including skincare and more.
License type: Professional
Requirements
- The outlet should have a minimum space of 200 sqft
Approvals
- Dubai Municipality (DM) Health & Public safety department
- DED Commercial compliance & consumer protection sector
7. Educational services/support services
Following the UAE government’s recent educational reforms, this is the right time to launch an academic business in Dubai. Several business activities fall under the category of educational services/support services, including tutor training, university application assistance, and exam preparation. The UAE, however, prohibits private tutoring.
License type: Professional
Requirements
- Provide a list of services
- Template of certification (if applicable)
- Proof of affiliation to local or foreign institutes
Approvals
- Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) issues a variety of additional approvals for businesses. Aside from that, this authority has a stringent policy regarding permits for educational establishments.
8. Real estate company/activities
Real Estate in Dubai is always in demand. During the first half of 2022, Dubai’s property market recorded 43.2k transactions worth AED 115 billion. To qualify for the real estate license, you should register for the Dubai Real Estate Institute’s Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers course (DREI). This certification is necessary for the license-issuing process. You must pass an exam at the end of the course to become a registered real estate broker in Dubai. In addition, obtain a Good Conduct Certificate from Dubai Police after passing the course.
To open a business in the Dubai real estate sector, you must apply for a RERA license through the Trakhees system online.
RERA provides oversight of the following kinds of businesses:
- Real Estate Consultancies
- Real Estate Brokerages, Leasing Companies and Mortgage Consultancies
- Real Estate Management Companies
- Businesses Providing Real Estate Services In Dubai
- The Buying And Selling Of Real Estate
- Real Estate Promotion And Advertising
- Any Kind Of Dubai Real Estate Inspection Service
- Owner Associations
- Many Other Related Parties
License type: Commercial
Requirements
- If you are not a UAE national, get a valid residency visa and Emirates ID
- Apply for a business trade name that complies with the United Arab Emirates business naming rules
- Next up, you must submit various documents and complete your online registration. If you are based in a free zone like Meydan Free Zone, you will also need to receive a no objections certificate (NOC) from the free zone authorities to permit you to work in the real estate sector. You will also need to collect signatures from all shareholders and obtain your payment voucher.
- Register For DREI Certified Training and Take the RERA Exam
- Get a realtor license.
Approvals
Dubai Land Department is the government body that oversees activities related to real estate in the UAE. Before operating a real estate brokerage business in Dubai, brokerages must receive approval from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
You must also register your real estate brokerage company with the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD) and the Ministry of Labour (MOL) to employ foreign employees and sponsor their visas.
9. Transportation-related business activities
Business activities that involve transportation, like private taxis, auto rentals, sale of autos/business vehicles/bicycles (new/pre-claimed), sale of imported autos/bicycles, auto/bicycle modification workshops, garages and so on, require endorsement/NOC from RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) before they can have a permit from Department of Economy & Tourism or some other licensing authority.
Dubai Municipality requires the gate level permit if you want to get any approval for building in Dubai. Gate level is basically the relative height of the building entrance with respect to the road level. If you are a private building owner, consultant, contractor, or government agency, you are eligible to get RTA approval.
License type: Commercial
Requirements
- Copy of the trade license
- Preliminary approval from the Free Zones to add the activity.
- Effective Plot Plan (depends on the nature of activity)
- Topographic survey around the plot
Approvals
- Roads & Transport Authority
- Department of Economy & Tourism
- Dubai Municipality
10. Art/Media related activities and selling related materials
The United Arab Emirates has one of the highest rates of internet penetration in the Arab world, according to Internet World Stats, with over 12.1 million internet users in July 2022.
All administration services in the UAE are ensured to be of high quality, transparent, and efficient by the National Media Council. Furthermore, it ensures compliance with Federal Law No. 15 of 1980 Concerning Press and Publications.
In 2018, UAE National Media Council implemented a new system to govern all electronic and digital media activities on the mainland and in free zones. According to the new system, the following media activities require prior approval:
Trading, showcasing, selling and printing video and audio materials on websites and social media
electronic publishing and on-call printing, electronic advertisements, publishing news, any electronic activity that the council deems appropriate to be added
You can also choose between other types of media-related business activities, like the following ones:
- Advertising and communication
- Marketing services
- Media services
- Marketing consultancy
- Media associations
- Event management and support
- Media consultancy
- Business information
- Freelancing
Additionally, influencers in the UAE, who accept paid advertising on their social media accounts, need a license from the National Media Council (NMC).
License type: Commercial
Requirements
- A minimum age of 25 is required.
- You must have a good reputation, which means you have never served a prison term.
- Be sure to specify “publishing” (if applicable) when applying for a trade license. Unless your license specifies this activity, you must notify the appropriate authorities. You must request a change after notifying it.
- And as we previously mentioned, the company owner must have a valid UAE residency visa. This requirement also applies to the person in charge and the magazine’s chief editor. The only companies that are eligible for an NMC permit are visa package companies with a company immigration card.
Approvals
The Media Regulatory Office – Ministry of Culture and Youth