Professional Services Licence in Dubai
Launch your consultancy, agency or professional practice with a DET professional licence — 100% ownership, low capital and a fast path to investor visas.
- 100% Ownership
- Low Setup Cost
- Investor Visa Ready
Professional Services
Smartgic Corporate Services
100%
Owner Equity
50+
Activities Covered
4–6
Days to Licence
0%
Personal Income Tax
Built for experts, consultants and service businesses
A professional licence is designed for businesses that sell expertise rather than goods — consultancies, marketing and IT agencies, accounting and legal advisory, design studios, management consultants and more.
It allows 100% foreign ownership on the mainland with a Local Service Agent (no equity), typically requires lower capital than a commercial licence, and gives you full access to the UAE market. Smartgic structures the licence correctly and processes your investor visa alongside it.
At a glance
100%
Owner Equity
50+
Activities Covered
4–6
Days to Licence
0%
Personal Income Tax
Key benefits of professional services
What you gain when Smartgic handles this for you — clarity, compliance and speed at every step.
Keep 100% Equity
Own your practice outright; the Local Service Agent holds no shares and no claim on profits.
Lower Capital Requirement
Professional licences generally need less share capital than commercial trade licences.
Wide Activity Scope
Combine multiple related professional activities under a single licence where permitted.
Full UAE Market Access
Serve clients anywhere in the UAE without free-zone trading restrictions.
Investor Visa Pathway
Sponsor your own residence visa and add team members as your practice grows.
Credibility & Compliance
A recognised DET licence that wins client trust and passes bank due-diligence.
A clear, step-by-step process
No jargon, no surprises. Here's exactly how we deliver, with a dedicated manager guiding you throughout.
Activity & Structure Review
We confirm your professional activities and the correct legal form for your practice.
Trade Name & Approvals
We reserve your trade name and obtain initial and activity-specific approvals.
Local Service Agent & MOA
We appoint a no-equity Local Service Agent and prepare your documentation.
Licence & Visa
Your professional licence is issued and we process your investor residence visa.
Documents & requirements
Have these ready and we'll move fast. Missing something? We'll guide you on alternatives and attestation.
- Passport copy of the professional / owner
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of qualifications (for regulated activities)
- Proposed trade name options
- Business activity description
- UAE entry stamp (if in-country)
Founders worldwide trust Smartgic
From first-time entrepreneurs to established groups relocating to the UAE — here's what our clients say about working with us.
“Smartgic set up my DMCC company and processed my investor visa in under two weeks. The most seamless experience I have had in Dubai.”
“Their team handled my Golden Visa and corporate bank account end-to-end. Professional, responsive and genuinely transparent on fees.”
“I relocated my e-commerce business from Europe to an IFZA free zone with zero stress. My relationship manager replied within minutes.”
Professional Services FAQs
Answers to the questions clients ask most. Still unsure? Our advisors reply within the hour.
For mainland professional licences, a UAE national acts as a Local Service Agent for government liaison. They hold zero equity and have no control over your business or profits — it is a formality we arrange for you.
Expertise-based businesses: consultancies, IT and marketing agencies, accounting and audit, legal advisory, engineering, design, training and similar service activities.
Often yes — capital requirements and certain fees tend to be lower, making it a cost-effective route for service businesses.
Yes. A professional licence supports an investor/partner residence visa for you and lets you sponsor employees and family.
Yes, activities can usually be added or amended on your licence as your practice expands. We handle the amendment.
Related corporate services
Most clients combine these. We bundle them into one seamless engagement with a single point of contact.
Ready to start your Dubai business?
Get a free, no-obligation consultation today. Clear advice, transparent pricing and a team that handles the rest.
Book your free consultation
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