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DED Activity List Dubai: Business Activities, Codes and Licence Categories

The DED activity list is the catalogue of business activities used for Dubai mainland licensing, now administered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Each activity has an official name and activity number, and the activity selected should match what the company will actually sell, provide or produce. If you are searching the […]

Published 18 September 2026, 19 minute read.

No Objection Certificate (NOC) in the UAE: Types, Costs, and How to Get One

A NOC in the UAE is written consent from the relevant employer, sponsor, developer, regulator or authority for a specific action, transaction or status change. There is no single UAE-wide NOC form, portal or fee, because the process depends on the authority and purpose. A standard transfer between MoHRE-registered employers is handled through MoHRE’s transfer […]

Published 16 September 2026, 16 minute read.

General Trading Licence in Dubai for Founders and Investors

A general trading licence in Dubai is a commercial licence for companies that want to trade several permitted product categories under one setup, rather than one narrow product line. General Trading Licence Quick Facts: Best for: multi-product importers, exporters, wholesalers and e-commerce sellers Scope: import, export, re-export, wholesale, retail and distribution, where permitted Limits: regulated […]

Published 27 August 2026, 16 minute read.

Professional Licence in Dubai: Free Zone Setup, Activities, and Requirements

A professional licence in Dubai is generally used by service-based businesses, such as consultants, agencies, software providers, designers, trainers, business coaches, and specialist advisers. The correct route depends on the approved activity and whether the company is formed on the Dubai mainland or through a Dubai free zone. This choice affects more than the licence […]

Published 24 August 2026, 16 minute read.

Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai

Free zone company setup in Dubai is the process of forming a UAE company through a Dubai free zone authority, with the legal form, free zone licence, activity, workspace and visa route set under that authority’s rules. Free Zone Company Setup Quick Facts Best suited to founders whose activity and client base fit a free […]

Published 22 August 2026, 15 minute read.

How to Start an Online Business in Dubai With a Free Zone Licence

To start an online business in Dubai, you need the right licence activity, a suitable company structure, and a clear plan for visas, banking, payments, VAT, and corporate tax. To launch properly: Choose a business activity that matches how you earn revenue. Decide whether a Dubai free zone or mainland setup fits your model. Prepare […]

Published 20 August 2026, 10 minute read.

Business Setup in Dubai: Build the Right Company from the Start

Business setup in Dubai is not just a licence application. It is the process of structuring a company around its activity, ownership, workspace, visas, banking and tax obligations, so the business can operate properly from the start. For founders, the core sequence is: Choose the right business activity before selecting a package. Confirm whether a […]

Published 18 August 2026, 10 minute read.

VAT in the UAE: Rates, Registration and Free Zone Rules for Businesses

VAT in the UAE is a 5% indirect tax on most goods and services, introduced on 1 January 2018 under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 and administered by the Federal Tax Authority. Businesses whose taxable supplies and imports exceed 375,000 in any 12-month period, or are expected to exceed that amount in the […]

Published 16 August 2026, 16 minute read.

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