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Launching your company in the UAE is a smart move, but when you reach the license application stage, one question can bring everything to a halt: “How many business activities can you include?” You might wonder if e-commerce and consultancy can go together or if trading and marketing fit under the same license.
Adding too many activities, and you risk rejection by regulators. Add too few, and costly amendments could slow you down when it’s time to expand.
Choosing the right business activities for your UAE business license isn’t just a matter of ticking boxes. Picking the wrong mix, and you could face delays, limited growth, or expensive compliance issues.
For UK entrepreneurs eyeing the Emirates, knowing what you can legally operate under one license is important as it’s the difference between building a flexible, scalable business and getting stuck with costly restrictions.
This blog covers the essentials, how many activities UAE authorities allow, which combinations work best, the key differences between Mainland and Free Zone rules, and when you really need multiple licenses.
A UAE trade license serves as your company’s legal authorization to conduct business in the Emirates. The Department of Economy and Tourism issues Mainland licenses, while each Free Zone authority manages licensing within its jurisdiction. The license sets clear limits on what your company can do. If you operate without a trade license, you cannot trade legally, open business bank accounts, hire staff, or apply for contracts. Running activities that are not approved can lead to fines beginning at AED 50,000 or a full suspension of operations.
In 2026, the UAE provides more than 2,000 approved business activities across six categories. These categories include commercial, professional, industrial, tourism, agricultural, and crafts. Each activity you select affects your legal setup and your requirements for office space and visas.
Most UAE jurisdictions allow 5 to 10 business activities under a single license, depending on your chosen location and license type.
Dubai Mainland (DET)
You can select up to 10 activities under one license, provided all activities fall within the same category. A commercial license supports 10 trading activities, while a professional license covers 10 service-based operations.
Free Zones
Activity limits vary significantly:
Some Free Zones use a group system identified by three-digit codes. Entrepreneurs can select as many as three industry groups, such as Group 141 for Manufacturing, Group 451 for Automotive Trading, or Group 552 for Hospitality Rentals. They can then add multiple related activities within each group at no extra fee.
In Q1 2025, Dubai issued around 19,000 new commercial licenses, which accounted for 59 percent of all licenses issued in the UAE. This shows how widely businesses are using the multi-activity model to create more flexible operations.
The Emirates regulations are clear, you can include multiple activities, but they must be logically related and fall within the same UAE business license type.
Key compliance requirements:
1. License type consistency: Commercial activities require commercial licenses; professional activities need professional licenses. You cannot mix trading goods (commercial) with offering consultancy (professional) under the same license in most jurisdictions.
2. Activity code accuracy: Each activity has a specific DED code. When you include activities like “e-commerce,” “retail trading,” and “wholesale distribution,” you’re choosing specific license codes that need to match what your business actually does.
3. Special approvals: Certain activities require additional governmental clearances before they appear on your license:
4. Amendment process: Any request to add activities after initial issuance must be submitted through the authority’s electronic system, accompanied by the amendment fee (typically AED 1,000-3,000), and supported by any required additional approvals.
The Ministry of Economy confirms that “a license may include more than one business activity” from the approved list, provided they meet regulatory requirements.
Understanding jurisdictional differences matters for UK entrepreneurs, as rules governing activity selection vary significantly.
| Aspect | Mainland (DED) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Activity limit | Up to 10 per license | 3-5 activities (zone dependent) |
| Market access | Full UAE domestic market | Limited to Free Zone and international markets |
| Activity range | Broader options; operate across all Emirates | Industry-specific zones may restrict choices |
| Approval process | May require multiple government approvals | Streamlined through single authority |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% across all activities |
| Office requirements | Physical office mandatory (minimum 200 sq. ft.) | Flexi-desk or virtual office available |
2025 update: Dubai Resolution No. 11 of 2025 now allows Free Zone entities to conduct activities on the mainland with appropriate Department of Economy and Tourism permits. However, income from Mainland operations faces the standard 9% corporate tax rate, and businesses must maintain separate financial records.
Which suits your needs?
Successful activity combinations maintain logical relationships between operations. Here are proven pairings:
| Category | Activities |
|---|---|
| Trading & Logistics | Import/export trading Wholesale distribution Warehousing and storage Freight forwarding |
| Digital Services | E-commerce operations Digital marketing Web design and development Online consulting |
| Professional Services | Business consultancy Financial advisory Market research Project management |
| Retail Operations | Online retail via electronic channels Physical retail store Trading general goods Product distribution |
Example: A UK entrepreneur setting up in IFZA can combine activities like “General Trading,” “E-commerce,” and “Business Consultancy” under one license. This allows them to sell products online, offer advisory services, and manage wholesale operations through a single company. The key is choosing activities that support the main business idea.
*Note: Ensure activities complement your core business model. Banks verify UAE business license activities before opening corporate accounts, so mismatched activities (like combining construction with restaurant services) trigger rejections or delays.
Whilst the UAE offers flexibility, certain activity combinations face restrictions.:
You cannot combine manufacturing (industrial license) with trading (commercial license) under one license. These require separate license types with distinct requirements.
The UAE restricts foreign ownership in seven strategic sectors:
Attempting to include these UAE commercial license activities without proper authorisation results in license rejection.
Operating outside licensed activities is illegal and carries severe consequences, fines from AED 50,000 to AED 2,000,000, operational suspension, visa cancellation, and potential license revocation.
While the system allows several activities on a single license, some business cases cannot be combined and need their own licenses.
1. Operating across different license categories
Manufacturing activities and consulting services follow completely different rules. This is why an industrial license is needed for production, and a professional license is needed for consulting.
2. Separate legal entities for tax or liability reasons
Many businesses maintain separate licenses to:
3. Operating in multiple Emirates
A Mainland license from Dubai doesn’t automatically allow operations in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Physical presence across multiple Emirates requires:
4. Strategic business expansion
When a company enters a new industry, it often needs another license. A technology company shifting into real estate development, for instance, must apply for a real estate license and follow RERA requirements.
5. Content creators and influencers
As of 29 May 2025, creators who earn money through online content must hold a business license as well as a media permit issued by the UAE Media Council. The media permit costs AED 1,000 per year. Financial influencers must also get licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority.
Dual licensing option
Some Free Zones, including SPC Free Zone, provide packages that combine Free Zone and Mainland licenses. This helps businesses operate locally in the UAE while maintaining international reach.
Before submitting your license application, verify these crucial points:
1. Confirm activity codes match your operations
Review the official DED activity list or your Free Zone’s approved catalogue. Select codes that precisely describe what you’ll actually do. Being too broad (“General Trading”) or too narrow creates problems later.
2. Identify required external approvals
Certain activities need clearances before license issuance:
Allow 4-8 weeks for these approvals, as they often require site inspections, qualifications verification, or additional documentation.
3. Verify activity compatibility with your location
Some activities require specific infrastructure:
4. Check visa quota implications
Your selected license activities in Dubai influence visa allocation. Professional services typically receive fewer visa slots than trading operations. If you plan to hire 10 staff, ensure your activity combination supports that quota.
5. Consider future expansion plans
Making changes later comes with amendment fees that usually range from AED 1,000 to 3,000. For this reason, many founders add useful activities on day one so they can shift their operations when needed without waiting for new approvals.
6. Review banking requirements
UAE banks scrutinise business activities during corporate account opening. Activities must be:
The Dubai Unified License (DUL) initiative, launched in 2023 and enhanced in October 2024, has reduced average business bank account opening time by 90%, from 65 days to just five days. Since launch, the project enabled opening over 3,000 new business bank accounts and updating over 134,000 business banking profiles.
7. Understand corporate tax implications
Under the UAE’s 2025 corporate tax framework:
Professional consultation:
Stratrich business setup consultants and PRO services in the UAE, possess inside knowledge of which activity combinations work smoothly and which cause delays. Our expertise typically saves 4-6 weeks in processing time and prevents costly amendments later.
When you choose your business activities in the UAE, you’re making a decision that influences your legal framework, your operational freedom, and your growth options.
For UK founders in 2025, most jurisdictions permit around 5 to 10 activities on a single license. Activities must be logically related and fall within the same license category. Mainland setups offer broader market access; Free Zones provide tax advantages and 100% ownership. Certain combinations require special approvals or separate licenses. Operating outside your licensed activities carries severe financial penalties.
The UAE’s business-friendly environment makes company formation straightforward, but success stems from understanding nuances before applying. Map out not just your current operations, but where you plan to expand over the next 2-3 years. The activities under general trading license in Dubai you select now determine how easily you scale.
At Stratrich we’ll ensure your activity selection aligns with your vision, passes compliance checks, and positions you for long-term success in one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs.
