A professional consultancy licence lets you sell expertise — management, business, IT, HR, engineering, financial and similar advisory services — under one company. Here's where to base it, what it costs, which professions need extra approval, and how we set it up.
A consultancy licence is the natural home for advisers and specialists — but the right base depends on who you invoice and whether your profession is regulated.
An illustrative free-zone starting point for a professional consultancy licence. Your total depends on:
We match the licence to your profession and clients, then send a full written quote — licence, visas and any approvals — before you commit.
The details that decide how a consultancy runs.
What a consultancy licence gives you, and what to weigh.
| Free Zone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100%* |
| Invoice UAE clients directly | Best for overseas / free-zone clients | Yes, anywhere in the UAE |
| Take local & government contracts | Limited | Yes |
| Setup from | AED 5,750 | AED 12,000 |
| Best for | Lean start, overseas clients | UAE-facing advisory work |
In short: if you want the leanest, cheapest start and your clients are overseas or in free zones, a free zone gives you 100% ownership at low cost. If you need to invoice UAE businesses & government directly or win local contracts, go mainland — and note some regulated professions need a regulator's nod first. We'll map the cheapest compliant route.
What advisers ask before setting up a consultancy. Anything else — AgentBiz answers instantly.
Ask AgentBizIt's a professional licence that lets one company sell expertise — management, business, IT, HR, engineering, financial or similar advisory services. It holds no stock and needs no customs code, so it's one of the leaner, cheaper ways to set up.
A free-zone professional licence typically starts from around AED 5,750, with mainland from about AED 12,000. Your total depends on the emirate, visa count, office type and any regulator approvals — we send a full written quote first.
A free zone gives 100% ownership at the lowest cost and suits overseas or free-zone clients. Mainland lets you invoice UAE businesses and government directly and take local contracts. We'll base it on who you mainly bill.
Yes. Regulated professions such as legal, medical, engineering and financial advice often need qualification attestation or approval from the relevant authority before the licence is issued. We check this for your specific activity up front.
Yes. You can set up as a sole practitioner or as a company with partners and staff. Either way you get a licence and a residence visa, which turns solo advisory work into a credible, bankable entity.
Usually about a week once your documents are ready, including the licence, visa and bank introduction. Regulated professions that need attestation or regulator approval can take a little longer.
Ask AgentBiz which licence and base fit your profession, or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.
