How to Obtain a DED Professional License in Dubai
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Carrying out a business setup in Dubai is not the same as starting your business in any other country, as the rules differ from place to place.
If you are looking for a Dubai business setup, then procuring a professional license from the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) is your best shot.
With a license from this department, you will be able to offer your services to anyone in the UAE without having to rely on a local sponsor to conform to the regulations. After you obtain a professional license from DED, you will only be required to hire a local service agent. Hiring a local service agent enables you to own 100% of your company.
A professional license — also known as the Consultancy or Service License — is reserved for those professionals who are skilled in a respective domain and want to practice their trade in the UAE. The license enables expatriates to establish their company that can either be solely (Sole Establishment) or jointly (Civil Company) owned.
Qualification Centre for Licensees
The Dubai Economy has established a Qualification Centre for Professional License Holders that works in concordance with the American University of Dubai (AUD). The institute was established to train and develop the directors and high-profile officers of consultant companies to the best contemporary professional practices. The selected managers will have to register and pay for the examination before moving onto Trade Name Reservation.
The above process encapsulates the following business activities:
- Electronic Security Solutions Consultancy
- Green Facilities Consultancy
- Pharmaceutical Consultancy
- Media Studies Consultancy
- Advertising Studies Consultancy
- Computer consultancy
- Environment Studies Consultancy
- Parliamentary Studies Consultancy
- Fine Arts Consultancy
- Internet Consultancy
- Mortgage Consultancy
- Economic Feasibility Studies Consultancy
- Health Consultancy
- Scientific and Technical Consultancy
- Acoustics, noise and vibration Control Consultancy
- Web Design and Development Consultancy
- Radiology Diagnosis Centres Consultancy
- Radiation Energy Consultancy
- Health Planning Consultancy
- Marketing Studies Consultancy
- Banking and Finance Consultancy
- Heritage Consultancy
- Music Consultancy
- Tax Consultancy
- Forensic Medicine Consultancy
- Cooking and Culinary Arts Consultancy
- Marine Services Consultancy
- Veterinary Services Consultancy
- Management Studies Consultancy
- IT Consultancy
- Procurement Consultancy
- Food and Dairy Products Consultancy
- Fitness Centres and Clubs Consultancy
- Project Development Consultancy
- Logistics Consultancy
- Quality and Benchmarking Consultancy
- Transportation Consultancy
- Statistics Consultancy
- Construction Resources Planning Consultancy
- Vertical & Horizontal Transportation Systems Consultancy
Prerequisites for Registration
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of your Emirates ID (if applicable)
- A copy of your educational degree or high school diploma
The fee of the examination will cost you AED 2,100.
Prerequisites for a Professional License
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) copy and/or Experience Certificate related to the business activity
- A No Objection Certificate from the sponsor if the you are on an employment visa (If you’re on a Visit Visa, only the UID number will be required)
- A copy of local service agent’s naturalization book called Jinsiya
- Copies of your passport and visa
- A prefilled application form
Cost of a Professional License
One cannot put a definite number on the cost of a professional license in Dubai as it depends on some factors that include:
- Professional license fee
- Service agent fee
- Trade name fee
- Security deposit and others
- Market fee
However, to guesstimate, a professional license in Dubai will cost you somewhere between AED 6,000 to 12,000.
Need Assistance?
Just like carrying out a business setup in Dubai, getting a license in the UAE — be it a professional license or a Freelancer Permit — is often an arduous process. One also bears the risk of running into an impasse while trying to conduct a new business setup in Dubai, as it requires extensive research.
Cross Link International, with its bevy of experienced professionals, can offer you a path; the path to starting you a company from scratch. Reach out to us through + 971 4321 6631 / + 971 55 744 6445 or fill-in this form to get a free consultation from us.
