License types

Difference Between Commercial, Professional and Industrial Licences in Dubai

22nd April 2026

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When setting up a business in Dubai, choosing the correct licence is essential. The Department of Economy and Tourism issues three main Dubai business licence types: commercial, professional, and industrial.

Commercial Licence

A commercial licence is for businesses involved in trading activities such as buying and selling goods, import and export, retail, and e-commerce. It is suitable for companies dealing in physical products.

Professional Licence

A professional licence is for service-based businesses that rely on skills or expertise rather than goods. Examples include consultants, IT services, marketing agencies, and freelancers. In most cases, this licence allows full foreign ownership and has lower setup costs.

Industrial Licence

An industrial licence is required for manufacturing and production activities. This includes factories and businesses that process raw materials into finished products. Industrial licences have stricter requirements, including approvals and larger premises.

Which Dubai Business Licence Do You Need?

Choosing the right licence depends on whether your business trades goods, provides services, or manufactures products. Selecting the correct Dubai business licence from the start helps avoid compliance issues later.

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Christel GRANET

2 months ago

I used Luxe Incorporation to legalize a diploma, and I am very happy with their service. A special thank you to Sarah for her support and kindness throughout the entire process. I highly recommend them.

JCB & SON LTD

I worked with Luxe Incorporations to setup my business in Dubai, I work closely with Sarah Negga who made the process seamless, it was a pleasure working with her, the response rate was incredible and she would go above and beyond, supporting in other areas which weren't technically part of her scope to make my life easy. I would definitely put Luxe forward for anyone looking to setup a business over in Dubai.

Reiza DL

Big thanks to the team at Luxe Incorporations, especially Daphne, Ryno, and Kath, for all their help and support. They've been amazing to work with and always go above and beyond, even with my last-minute requests.
What I appreciate most is how responsive, patient, and reliable they are. No matter how urgent something is, they always do their best to help and get things done smoothly.
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I had a great experience and the process was very smooth. Sarah was of great help, she was very prompt with support and helped me through every step of the way!

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I worked with Ryno and Jose in getting my company set up, visa process and bank account opened. They were very responsive and helpful throughout the whole process. They were always happy to jump on a call whenever I had any queries. Would recommend Luxe when looking to incorporate in Dubai.

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Absolutly fantastic service. Sarah is a wealth of knowledgeable and is super helpful for any issues that have arisen. She is always there to support. Would highly recommend using Luxe and especially ask for Sarah to help she is a gem

RUPA ANWAR

Ryno is a thorough professional. He was highly recommended to me by my realtor Simon Bernard and by RAKEZ. He is very knowledgeable on the visa process, presented various options for visa formation pointing the pros and cons clearly. A pleasure working with him. Great follow up on issues and was able to help me through closure

Thank you Ryno !

T Rex

I did my company registration and visa with Ryno at Luxe. I chose to use them because I was in a rush to get my visa and he promised they could get it done in time. I was really nervous, but the whole process was really easy and hassle free. After sending the information and documents they needed, my company was registered overnight. And after I did my medical and it was approved, my visa was issued in 24 hours. Thank you for the great service.

Jillian Geddes

4 months ago

I was connected to Sarah at Luxe through a mutual contact and from our very first interaction she was nothing short of exceptional. Her knowledge, professionalism and genuine care for the people she works with left a lasting impression. I have referred several contacts to Luxe without hesitation as Sarah is exactly the kind of person who makes a business worth recommending. Thank you Sarah!

Barry Karacostas

8 months ago

I can’t recommend these guys enough, genuine, transparent, trustworthy, and a pleasure to work with.

We came to them seeking advice on launching our brand in the UAE and are incredibly grateful we were introduced to Jenna and the team. They stuck with us through thick and thin, and believe me, there were more than a few challenges along the way. Throughout it all, they consistently demonstrated real experience, clarity, and the depth of team needed to get the job done properly.

Thank you to everyone involved, we know this is only the beginning of many more collaborations to come.