DED License Activities List in UAE 2025
The Dubai Economic Department (DED) offers a diverse range of business activities under various licenses. As a business owner and entrepreneur, understanding the list of DED license activities is important, especially when planning to establish or expand business operations in Dubai. From commercial and professional activities to industrial and tourism-related endeavors, the DED’s comprehensive list of license activities provides a framework for businesses to operate within the emirate’s thriving economy.
Table Of Content
DED License Activities List
The Dubai Economic Department prescribes a list of activities that guides the operations of its license holders. These activities vary by license type and are as follows:
- Commercial License Activities: for trading operations such as import/export, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, etc.:
- General Trading, Import & Export
- Electronics & Mobile Phones
- Clothing & Fashion
- Building & Construction Materials
- Automotive & Auto Parts
- Furniture & Home Décor
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Supermarkets & Grocery Stores
- Jewellery & Precious Metals
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Trading
- Oil, Gas & Fuel Equipment
- Livestock & Poultry Trading
- Fuel, Lubricants & Petroleum Derivatives
- Professional License Activities: for consultancies, freelancers, services, and creative professions:
- Business, Management & Marketing Consulting
- Legal & Financial Advisory, Accounting & Auditing
- IT Services, Software Development, Cybersecurity
- Architectural, Engineering, Surveying Services
- Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design
- Translation & Language Services
- Event Planning, Public Relations
- Education & Training (tutoring, centres)
- Medical & Healthcare Consultancy
- Recruitment & HR Services
- Fitness, Beauty, Spa & Wellness
- Photography/Videography Services
- Representative Offices, Secretarial Services
- Industrial License Activities: for manufacturing, production, assembly, and processing:
- Food & Beverage Manufacturing
- Textile, Garment & Apparel Production
- Furniture, Woodworking & Cabinet Making
- Metal Fabrication & Steel Production
- Plastics, Rubber & Polymer Manufacturing
- Chemical Products & Fertiliser Production
- Glass, Ceramics & Lens Manufacturing
- Paper, Packaging & Printing Industries
- Electronics & Electrical Equipment Assembly
- Pharmaceutical Production
- Auto Parts & Machinery Manufacturing
- Leather, Shoes & Textile Products
- Petroleum, Oil Products & Refining
- Waste Management & Recycling
- Tourism Licence Activities: covers travel, hospitality, leisure, and transport:
- Travel Agencies, Tour Operators
- Hotel, Resort & Hospitality Management
- Desert Safaris, Cultural & Adventure Tours
- Car, Yacht & Limousine Rentals
- Water Sports & Recreational Activities
- Events & Entertainment (including amusement parks)
- Cruise, Ferry, Hajj & Umrah Services
- Medical Tourism & Wellness Retreats
- E-commerce License Activities: for online sellers, digital stores, and e‑service providers:
- Online Retail, Drop-shipping, Subscription Commerce
- Digital Products (e-books, apps, courses)
- Social Media Influencing & Content Creation
- Instant License Activities: “On‑the‑spot” setup with minimal requirements, no physical office needed:
- E‑Trader (solo digital service providers)
- Select low-risk commercial or professional activities such as graphic design, consulting, tutoring, and IT services.
Choosing the Right DED License Activities
Are you getting overwhelmed from the list of activities to classify your business under? The Dubai Economic Department requires license applicants to choose activities from the list of license activities applicable to their trade. Here’s how you can select all the pertinent DED license activities for your business or profession without missteps:
- Identify your core operations: Pick activity codes that align precisely with what you actually do. For example, IT consultancy, retail trading, or other kinds of activities can be the actual bulk of your operations; note them down. Each activity code you select during the license application will define your allowed operations.
- Group activities logically: Under one license you can select up to 10 activities, but they must fall within the same license type (e.g., all professional services). Choosing mismatched activities may force you to obtain multiple licenses, increasing cost and administrative complexity.
- Factor in Regulatory Requirements: Consider that some activities may need regulatory approvals before you are allowed to choose them. For example, healthcare practices require a DHA approval, while construction needs permission from Civil Defense.
Conclusion
DED activities provide a framework of recognized trade activities for easy regulation. When registering for a DED license, you are required to select a list of license activities describing the operations of your business or the scope of your profession. Don’t forget to pay attention to the activity code and title when selecting DED license activities to avoid a mismatch.
Questions & Answers
DED (Department of Economic Development) license activities are specific classifications of business operations that a company is legally permitted to undertake in the UAE mainland, defining the scope of your trade license.
Selecting the right activity ensures legal compliance, determines your license type, influences required approvals, and allows for smooth business operations without penalties.
The primary categories include Commercial (for trading goods), Professional (for service providers/consultants), Industrial (for manufacturing), and Tourism (for travel and hospitality services).
Yes, you can typically include multiple related business activities under a single DED license, provided they fall under the same license type and are approved by the DED.
It's advisable to consult with a business setup consultant or the DED directly; they can help identify the closest matching activity or advise on special approvals.
Yes, certain activities (e.g., healthcare, education, legal services) require special permits or no-objection certificates (NOCs) from relevant government authorities.
Yes, it is possible to amend your DED license to add new activities or change existing ones, though this will involve an application process and potential fees.
Operating outside your licensed activities is a violation and can lead to fines, legal issues, or even the cancellation of your trade license.
Choosing activities that are broad enough to cover future expansion plans while still being specific to your core business is generally recommended to avoid future amendments.