Dubai ranks as one of the top global destinations for setting up a business, with clear data that supports this. In Q1 2025 alone, nearly 19,000 new business licenses were issued, accounting for 59% of all licenses in the UAE. By the end of 2025, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce had 292,486 active members, with 71,830 new companies joining in that year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With so much going on, it\u2019s common for business owners to forget about other business activities that require special approvals. Whether they are running a real estate business or starting a hospitality venture, they need to obtain specific approval from RERA and DHA, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog, we have covered everything related to the necessary special approvals business activity in Dubai<\/strong>, so you can focus on celebrating and growing your venture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Department of Economy and Tourism maintains a list of over 3,000 approved business activities, each with its own unique code. Most of these activities can be licensed through the DET without involving another government body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, activities in regulated sectors are subject to external approvals requirements. This means a separate authority (not the DET) must evaluate your application with respect to its own set of standards before licensing can proceed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason for this process is simple, for instance a consultancy firm and a medical clinic both carry very different levels of public risks. A clinic involves patient care, clinical procedures, and pharmaceuticals handling. While a consultancy can handle issues like intellectual property, professional liability, and significant financial or reputational risks. However, their primary operational risks are mostly internal or economic, unlike healthcare, where risks directly impact patient safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The DET is not the appropriate authority to assess whether a clinic meets the required health and safety standards. However, it becomes the duty of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) that has both technical knowledge and regulatory mandate in evaluating such healthcare institutions. Consequently, before issuing a business license to any healthcare institution, DET will have to consult with DHA to make sure that the facility and its operations conform to all the requirements of the industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For consultancy services, there is also some level of cooperation, although it does not extend to the same level as above. Consultancy firms pose no threat to public safety and health. However, the consultation process may need some permissions from relevant regulatory organizations based on the nature of the consultancy work to be carried out. The purpose of such permits would be to ensure that the consultant qualifies according to all regulatory and professional requirements before conducting the consultancy work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This same logic applies across several sectors in Dubai. The external approval exists to ensure that regulated activities are assessed by the right authority, not just administratively registered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are different authorities that govern special approval for business activities in Dubai<\/strong>, the list includes the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The healthcare sector in Dubai is experiencing rapid growth. Therefore, the timeline for approval is something which should be planned carefully. The activities related to healthcare, such as the delivery of patient care, clinical and medical consultation, require prior clearance by the Dubai Health Authority prior to issuance of the trade license. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These include clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, dentistry clinics, physiotherapy centres, and even telemedicine. In case you intend to conduct medical services for patients as part of your activities such as running a medical clinic using the code 8620010, then you must ensure that your facility has passed through DHA inspection and meets the necessary requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Schools, universities, training institutes, and even private tutoring companies are all governed by KHDA in Dubai. For obtaining the special approval for business activity in Dubai, <\/strong>your facility must have undergone review of its curriculum, teacher’s qualification, and facility set up. This will help get the license approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses in financial services including investment advisory, fund management, and brokerage require special approval for business activity in Dubai. <\/strong>Either from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) or the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), depending on the nature of the activity and the jurisdiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By H1 2025, there were already 980 entities licensed by the DFSA in the DIFC, up 17% from the previous year. Financial services authorisations issued during the same period grew by 28%. The sector is expanding at pace, which makes proper authorisation even more important for anyone entering this space without prior experience of the regulatory process. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy do certain business activities in Dubai require additional approvals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who are the authorities for different activities by the businesses in Dubai? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Healthcare and Medical Services: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Education and Training: Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Financial Services and Investment: DFSA\/Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA): <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n Planning to Do Business in the UAE?\n <\/h2>\n\n