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What the DET Activity List Is and Why It Matters
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) maintains a register of over 3,000 approved business activities for Dubai mainland companies. Each activity carries a unique code that defines what a company is legally permitted to do under its trade licence. The activity you select determines the licence category — commercial, professional, industrial, or tourism — and directly affects government fees, ownership structure, external approval requirements, and visa quota eligibility.
Selecting the correct activity is not a formality. Operating outside the scope of your licensed activity is a compliance violation. The Dubai Commercial Compliance Manual specifies an administrative fine of AED 2,000 for changing or adding an authorised activity without prior DET approval. Choosing an overly narrow activity at the outset may also force a costly licence amendment later, while choosing an incompatible combination can result in application rejection.
The full activity register is searchable on the Invest in Dubai portal, where each entry shows the activity name, code, licence category, and any sector-specific approval requirements.
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Licence Categories and How Activities Map to Them
Dubai mainland licences fall into four primary categories. The activity code you select automatically places your business into one of these categories, and each carries distinct rules for ownership, premises, and regulatory oversight.
Commercial licence covers trading, import, export, retail, wholesale, distribution, and brokerage activities. It is the most common licence type in Dubai and permits combining multiple related trading activities under a single licence. A commercial licence requires registration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Professional licence applies to service-based businesses and skilled professions, including management consultancy, IT services, legal and accounting services, education, training, and healthcare. Professional activities often require proof of qualifications or professional credentials. The licence holder may operate as a sole proprietorship or civil company and, in most cases, does not require a local partner — although a Local Service Agent (LSA) may be needed for administrative functions.
Industrial licence authorises manufacturing, processing, assembly, or packaging operations. Industrial activities carry additional requirements: approved factory premises in designated zones, compliance with environmental regulations, and registration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). MoIAT generally requires a minimum facility capital of AED 250,000 and at least 10 employees for establishments applying for an Industrial Production Certificate.
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How to Search and Select the Right Activity
The DET publishes the complete activity register on the Invest in Dubai portal, where applicants can browse or search all available activities by keyword. The UAE Government portal confirms that identifying the business activity is the first step in the mainland company formation process, as it determines both the legal form and the licence type.
The selection process follows a practical sequence. Start by defining your core product or service as precisely as possible. A company that intends to sell electronics should search for specific electronics trading codes rather than defaulting immediately to a broad category.
Once the relevant activity appears, verify three things: the licence category it falls under, whether it triggers external approvals from other authorities, and whether it is compatible with any additional activities you may wish to include.
The DET permits combining up to 10 activities on a single licence, provided they fall within the same licence category. Combining "Electronics Trading" and "Furniture Trading" under a single commercial licence is permitted. Combining "Electronics Trading" with "Management Consultancy" is not, because these belong to different categories.
For businesses that anticipate diversification, broader activity descriptions offer more flexibility. Selecting "General Trading" instead of a narrowly defined product category covers a wider range of goods without requiring future amendments. However, general trading licences carry higher capital and premises requirements than specialised trading activities.
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Foreign Ownership Rules by Activity
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies, foreign investors may hold 100% ownership in most mainland commercial and industrial activities. This reform, which consolidated changes first introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, eliminated the previous requirement for a 51% UAE national shareholding in the majority of business sectors.
However, certain activities classified as having "strategic impact" under Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021 remain subject to ownership restrictions. These include security and defence activities, banking and insurance, currency printing, telecommunications, fisheries, and specific religious services. For these sectors, Emirati ownership or participation may still be required.
The DET's official activity register indicates which activities are eligible for full foreign ownership. Applicants should verify the ownership status of their chosen activity through the Invest in Dubai portal or through an authorised service centre before finalising their company structure. A detailed overview of how 100% foreign ownership works in practice is available in the mainland business setup without a local sponsor.
The Role of the Activity Code in Business Operations
The activity code is not only a licensing classification. It has practical consequences that extend well beyond the initial licence issuance.
Banking. UAE banks review the activity codes listed on a trade licence when processing corporate account applications. Misaligned or unclear codes can trigger additional due diligence requirements or delays in account opening.
Government contracts. Public-sector tenders and procurement processes often specify particular activity codes as eligibility criteria. A company whose licence does not include the required activity will be disqualified from bidding.
Visa allocation. The number of employee visas that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) allocates to a company is linked to the establishment's licensed activities, office space, and MOHRE classification. Certain activity types carry higher visa quotas than others.
Tax and compliance. Activity codes affect corporate tax classification, VAT obligations, and sector-specific regulatory reporting. Industrial activities, for example, face stricter environmental and safety compliance requirements than professional services.
Ejari and premises. Every mainland licence requires a physical office registered through the Ejari system under the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The nature of the licensed activity determines the type and size of premises required. Industrial licences require warehouses or factories. Commercial activities generally require standard commercial office space. Professional activities may qualify for smaller shared offices or, in limited cases, flexi-desk arrangements through approved business centres.
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How to Add or Change Activities on an Existing Licence
Business needs evolve, and the DET activity register allows companies to amend their licence to include new activities or remove existing ones. The licence amendment process is handled through the Invest in Dubai portal or through a DET-authorised service centre.
Adding a new activity requires the following steps. First, verify that the desired activity is listed in the DET register and confirm it falls within the same licence category as the existing activities. If the new activity requires an external NOC, obtain it from the relevant authority before submitting the amendment request to the DET. Prepare a shareholder resolution authorising the change and, where applicable, update the Memorandum of Association (MoA). Submit the amendment application, pay the applicable fees, and wait for DET approval.
Amendment fees vary based on the licence type and the nature of the change. The DET charges specific fees for activity additions and modifications, in addition to any Knowledge Dirham and Innovation Dirham surcharges that apply to all DET transactions.
An expired licence cannot be amended. It must be renewed first. Applicants who anticipate both a renewal and an activity change should consider combining both requests to streamline the process.
For a step-by-step breakdown of the amendment procedure, including NOC requirements and DET approval stages, see the adding activities to a Dubai business licence.
Choosing Activities for Specific Business Models
Certain business models in Dubai require careful activity selection to match the operational reality with the licensed scope.
E-commerce businesses operating on the mainland typically require a commercial trade licence with an activity such as "Internet Trading Management" or "Online Foodstuff Trading", depending on the product category. The DET also offers the e-Trader (Tajer) licence for UAE and GCC nationals conducting small-scale, home-based online trading, though this is a separate programme with its own eligibility criteria.
Consultancy firms fall under the professional licence category. The DET's activity list distinguishes between management consultancy, IT consultancy, legal consultancy, engineering consultancy, and other advisory services. Each has a distinct code, and some — particularly legal and financial advisory — require external approvals. The distinction between commercial and professional classifications — and how broader trading activities compare with service-based ones — general trading licence.
Restaurants and food businesses require a commercial licence with a food-related activity code, combined with a food permit from the Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department. Additional DHA approvals may apply if the establishment serves alcohol or operates in a health-regulated zone.
Manufacturing and production operations require an industrial licence and must satisfy both DET requirements and MoIAT registration criteria. The premises must be located in an approved industrial zone, and the establishment must meet staffing and capital thresholds.
How EGSH Facilitates the Activity Selection and Licensing Process
EGSH — Emirates Government Services Hub — is a government-authorised centre accredited by the DET to process business licensing transactions in Dubai. Through EGSH, applicants can complete the entire trade licence registration process: activity selection, trade name reservation, initial approval, document preparation, and licence issuance.
EGSH consultants review the applicant's business plan, confirm the correct activity codes from the DET register, identify any external approval requirements, and submit the application through official DET systems. All government fees are processed at the regulated amounts. EGSH does not issue trade licences or government approvals — all approvals are granted by the DET upon review of the submitted application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DET activity list in Dubai?
The DET activity list is the official register of over 3,000 approved business activities for Dubai mainland companies. It is maintained by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and assigns a unique code to each activity. The code determines the licence category, permitted scope of operations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
How many activities can I include on a single trade licence?
The DET permits up to 10 activities on a single trade licence, provided all selected activities fall within the same licence category. Commercial activities can be combined with other commercial activities, but not with professional or industrial ones. Incompatible combinations require a separate licence.
Can I change my business activity after obtaining a trade licence?
Yes. The DET allows companies to add, remove, or change activities through a formal licence amendment. The amendment requires DET approval, applicable fees, and — for regulated activities — prior clearance from the relevant sector authority. An expired licence must be renewed before any amendment can be processed.
What happens if I operate outside my licensed activity?
Operating outside the scope of your licensed activity is a compliance violation under Dubai's Commercial Compliance Manual. The DET may impose an administrative fine of AED 2,000 and require the company to amend its licence. Continued non-compliance can result in licence suspension or additional penalties.
Do all activities allow 100% foreign ownership?
Most commercial and industrial activities in Dubai now permit 100% foreign ownership under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. However, activities classified as having "strategic impact" — including banking, insurance, defence, and telecommunications — may still require Emirati shareholding or participation as specified by Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021.
Where can I search for DET-approved business activities?
The complete activity register is available on the Invest in Dubai portal, which allows keyword searches and displays activity codes, licence categories, and approval requirements. The National Economic Register on the UAE Government portal also provides a federal-level activity search.
What is the difference between a commercial and professional licence?
A commercial licence authorises trading, import, export, retail, and distribution of goods. A professional licence covers service-based businesses and skilled professions, such as consultancy, IT, education, and healthcare. The licence category is determined by the activity code. Some businesses may need both types if their operations span trading and services.
How does EGSH help with selecting the right business activity?
EGSH is a government-authorised centre that assists applicants with the complete mainland company formation process. EGSH consultants review the applicant's business model, confirm the correct activity codes from the DET register, identify external approval requirements, and submit the application through official DET channels. All approvals are issued by the DET.
Explained by
Shaimaa Sayed Awais
Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET) Services Consultant
Shaimaa Sayed Awais is a DET Services Consultant with 7 years of experience in business setup in Dubai. She specialises in trade licence procedures, including trade name reservation, initial approval, MOA preparation, and licence issuance, ensuring compliant and efficient company formation.
Official Sources and References
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Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai (DET) — Licensing authority for all mainland businesses in Dubai. Manages the official activity register, trade name reservation, initial approval, and trade licence issuance.
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Invest in Dubai — Official Government of Dubai digital platform for business setup, including the searchable register of all approved business activities.
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UAE Government Portal — Federal government information on steps to start a mainland business, including activity identification, licensing, and external approvals.
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UAE Government Portal — Full Foreign Ownership — Federal guidance on foreign ownership provisions under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 and related Cabinet decisions.
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Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) — Federal authority responsible for industrial registration, Industrial Production Certificates, and manufacturing facility standards.
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National Economic Register — Federal platform for enquiring about economic licences and business activities across all UAE emirates.
Important Notice
The information in this article reflects regulations and procedures current at the time of publication. Government fees, activity classifications, external approval requirements, and foreign ownership rules are subject to change without prior notice. All trade licence applications are subject to approval by the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, and any other relevant government authority. EGSH, as a government-authorised service centre, facilitates applications through official DET channels but does not issue trade licences or government approvals. Applicants should verify the latest requirements through official DET platforms before submitting any application.
