DED Business Activities List with License Cost in Dubai (2026 Guide)
Choosing the correct business activities from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)—formerly known as the Department of Economic Development (DED)—is the foundation of setting up a business in Dubai mainland.
Understanding the DED business activities list with license cost in Dubai allows you to select the right setup parameters, avoid unnecessary secondary approvals, and optimize setup costs.
License Categories & Associated Base Costs
The DET activity catalog comprises over 3,000 activity codes spanning four core license categories:
| License Category | Category Scope | Core Examples | Baseline Government Cost (AED) |
| Professional License | Professional services, consulting, & specialized skills | Management Consultancy, IT Design, Marketing, Accounting | AED 9,000 – AED 15,000 |
| Commercial License | Buying, selling, trading, & distribution of specific goods | Apparel Trading, Electronics Retail, E-Commerce, Foodstuff Trading | AED 12,000 – AED 24,000 |
| General Trading License | Unrestricted commercial trading across multiple unrelated goods | General Import/Export, Multi-Category Distribution | AED 28,000 – AED 35,000 |
| Industrial License | Manufacturing, assembling, processing, & raw material handling | Food Processing, Furniture Production, Packaging Assembly | AED 25,000+ |
Sample DED Activity Codes & Cost Structure
Here are some of the most common commercial and professional DED activity codes and their estimated fee ranges:
| Activity Code | Activity Title | Category | External Approval Required? | Estimated Total Fee Range (AED) |
| 7020001 | Management Consultancy | Professional | None | AED 9,500 – AED 14,000 |
| 6202010 | IT Consultancy & Software Design | Professional | None | AED 10,000 – AED 14,500 |
| 4791003 | E-Commerce Trading | Commercial | None | AED 12,000 – AED 18,000 |
| 4610001 | General Trading | Commercial | None | AED 28,000 – AED 35,000 |
| 8549001 | Technical Training Institute | Professional | Yes (KHDA Approval Required) | AED 18,000 – AED 30,000+ |
| 8610001 | Healthcare & Medical Clinic | Professional | Yes (DHA Approval Required) | AED 25,000 – AED 45,000+ |
How Activity Choices Impact Your Total Setup Cost
Number of Activities: DET allows you to include up to 10 related activities under a single license group without incurring major extra costs. Mixing activities across different license groups (e.g., combining Professional Consulting with Commercial Trading) requires additional activity add-on fees or separate licenses.
External Government Approvals: Certain specialized activities trigger mandatory secondary approvals from third-party authorities (such as KHDA for education, DHA for healthcare, or RTA for transport), which adds AED 2,000 to AED 10,000+ in regulator review fees.
Workspace & Ejari Overhead: While professional and consultancy activities can utilize a flexible workspace, commercial and industrial activities often require a DLD-registered address or dedicated facility.
To fulfill municipal office verification requirements without paying high traditional rent, you can attach a DLD-attested tenancy contract via our
Step-by-Step Activity Selection Guide
Search the DET Register: Visit the official Invest in Dubai portal (
app.invest.dubai.ae) and search for your primary revenue-generating activities by keyword.Verify External Clearances: Check whether your chosen activity code carries an external approval flag prior to license issuance.
Draft Trade Name & Application: Reserve your trade name and submit your selected activity codes via DET or an authorized service center.
Issue Payment Voucher: Receive the official government voucher combining DET base charges, Chamber of Commerce membership, and activity-specific fees.
For additional details on real estate regulation and property attestation guidelines, consult the official portal of the