What Does a Business Activity Mean in Dubai / Trade License
A 'business activity' is the official classification recorded on the trade license describing the scope of permitted operations. Activity selection drives which approvals are required, where the entity can operate, and whether specific premises or compliance controls apply.
Who is it for / Suitable for
Founders selecting an appropriate activity scope before incorporating or licensing.
Businesses expanding scope (adding activities) or restructuring operations.
Investors and HNWIs requiring clear compliance boundaries for regulated/controlled activities.
Companies addressing bank onboarding, invoicing scope, or inspection exposure linked to activity classification.
Key Requirements
Select activities from the competent authority’s approved activity taxonomy.
Ensure activity scope accurately reflects actual operations (products/services, channels, geography).
Obtain any sector regulator pre-approvals triggered by the selected activity.
Align premises/address solution and operational controls to the activity classification where required.
Clients need to provide the following information / documents
Document Name
Notarized
Business activity description
Clear description of operations to map correctly to official activity codes.
No
Business plan / operating model (where required)
Often required for regulated activities or higher-risk classifications.
No
Regulatory approval documentation (if applicable)
Evidence of external regulator consent prior to license issuance/amendment.
No
Supporting contracts / technical qualifications (if applicable)
May be requested for professional/technical activities.
No
License amendment request (for changes)
Used to add/remove activities and update the license scope.
No
Average Processing Time
Typically 1–5 business days for standard classifications; regulated activities and approvals can extend timelines.
What you would get when the application is complete
Approved activity listing reflected on the trade license
Activity codes / classifications (authority-specific)
Updated license / amended registration documents (where applicable)
On-going Compliance Requirements
After completion, businesses must maintain ongoing compliance:
Operate strictly within the licensed activity scope; avoid off-scope transactions and marketing claims.
Update the license promptly when adding new products/services or changing the operating model materially.
Maintain any ongoing regulator conditions (reporting, audits, professional licensing) tied to the activity.
Retain documentation supporting activity scope for bank/authority queries and inspections.
Government Agencies Involved
Government agencies involved / overseeing this application:
Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) / relevant licensing authority
Defines and approves activity classifications and license scope.
Sector Regulators (where applicable)
Pre-approvals and ongoing oversight tied to certain activities (e.g., finance, education, healthcare).
Dubai Municipality / other operational authorities (where applicable)
Premises and operational approvals/inspections for certain activity types.
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