How to Get a Management Consultancy License in Dubai, UAE?

Are you considering starting a management consultancy in Dubai? You are not the first. Dubai is known worldwide as a center for international business and has great potential for business management consultancy services. The UAE has one of the fastest-growing consulting industries in the world, recording 16.6% growth with a turnover of $3.3 billion in 2021. Why is this? Companies here absolutely love experts who can help them reorganize the operational processes of the company, increase profitability, and penetrate newer marketplaces. Regardless of whether you are a veteran or a novice, acquiring a management consultancy license offers great opportunities.

We will assist you in obtaining your consultancy license in Dubai through this guide. We will help you with free zone selections, visa processing, and other pertinent requirements for management consultancy. In addition, we’ll offer insight into the business setup in Dubai and answer important questions like “How do I renew my management consultancy license?” Let’s begin transforming your consultancy ambitions into an actionable plan.

What Is a Management Consultancy License in Dubai?

A management consultancy license enables you to provide legal consultancy services in Dubai, UAE. It is a professional license and requires approval from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or free zone authorities. With this license, you are eligible to offer professional consultancy on strategic planning, human resource management, operational efficiency, and a host of other domains.

In other words, this license is akin to a business license but exclusively catered to management consulting firms in Dubai. Clients will not trust you, nor can you operate or expand a business without it. From assisting startups with business process innovation to advising large corporations on market entry, this license will enable you to make optimum use of your efficiency in the UAE business hub.

 

Why Choose Dubai for Your Management Consultancy?

Dubai is often associated with leading hubs for fintech management consultancies, and here is the reason why:

• Market Expansion: The UAE roi fast due to the population’s extensive use of programming and technology. Strategy analysis alone reached an all-time high of $3.8 billion in 2021, alongside sharp increases in both public and private sector funding for consulting services.

• Rich Potential: The consultancy’s assistance to foreign small and medium enterprises’ business development, to strategy analysis, fueled by Dubai’s industry-friendly policies, presents a unique business opportunity.

• Financial Incentives: The lack of corporate tax within free zones coupled with 0% income tax, complete foreign purchases of shares, and unrestricted profit repatriation, ensures tax-free earnings companions.

• Strategic Location: Providing a bridge between East and West, Dubai is a cosmopolitan center of the population with a rich lifestyle and cutting-edge luxury.

Envision assisting a Dubai-based tech startup in customer segmentation and earning while enjoying tax-free income – that’s the value of management consultancy in the UAE! 

 

What Are the Steps to Get a Management Consultancy License in Dubai?

The steps to get a management consultancy license in Dubai are stress-free if you follow this guide. Let’s explain it further: 

Select Business Activities for Your License

Dubai licenses are based on available business activities. Free zones such as IFZA Free Zone, Meydan Free Zone, or SPC Free Zone offer more than 2,000 activities, which include: 

• Strategy advisory services – Business strategy planning for clients. 

• Project management services – From the start to the end of the project. 

• Marketing consultancy – Marketing and public relations strategies formulation with lay branding. 

Human capital consulting – Advising on workforce administration and monitoring compliance with relevant labor laws.

What Documents Are Needed for a Consultancy License?

For the management consultancy license, you will require the following paperwork:

• A passport photocopy of each shareholder.

• Two (2) passport-sized photographs.

• If you are a UAE local, a residence visa copy is required.

• An Emirates ID photocopy, if available.

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer if you work in the UAE.

Some activities, such as public relations, require additional government approvals. These are often assembled by free zones, which simplify the business setup process.

How to Apply and Pay Fees for Your License?

The steps required include:

1. Sign up on the free zone portal or the DET online portal.
2. Fill in the application form and attach the required documents.
3. Pay the prescribed fees for the license, which is AED 12,500 and above, depending on the free zone.
4. Complete the digitized MOA (Memorandum of Agreement or AOA – Articles of Association).
5. Subsequently, to your email, a soft copy of the license is sent. If you require the hard copy, you can collect it later.

The SPC Free Zone and other free zones provide e-signatures and instant licenses, which are convenient. The license is expected to be issued, at the latest, within a few days.

How Much Does a Management Consultancy License Cost in Dubai?

The cost of a management consultancy license in Dubai varies by free zone or mainland setup. In free zones, expect to pay:

• License Fee: Starting at AED 12,500 ($3,400).
• Visa Package: AED 3,500–10,000 per visa, depending on the free zone.
• Office Solutions: From AED 5,000 for a flexi-desk to AED 20,000+ for dedicated offices.
• Additional Costs: Trade name registration (AED 1,000–2,000) and shareholder document processing.

For a mainland setup, costs may be higher due to local sponsor fees or DED requirements. Always check with your chosen free zone for a precise quote.

What Business Activities Can You Do with a Management Consultancy License?

A management consultancy license opens doors to diverse business activities. Here are some popular ones:

• Market Assessment: Analyze market conditions and consumer behaviors to guide market entry.
• Strategy Advisory Services: Create business strategy planning for financial decision-making or customer service.
• Project Management Services: Oversee projects with resource allocation and control planning.
• Marketing Consultancy: Develop marketing strategies, public relations, and crisis management plans.
• Human Capital: Advice on talent management, employee appointment, and labor law compliance.
• Service Excellence: Boost customer satisfaction through customer segmentation and technology evaluation.
• Balanced Scorecard: Align business objectives with performance metrics for sustainable growth.

What Are the Best Free Zones for Management Consultancy in Dubai?

Choosing the right free zone can make or break your consultancy. Here’s a comparison of the best free zones for management consultancy in Dubai:

IFZA Free Zone

• Pros: Affordable licenses (from AED 12,500), professional partners for setup, and fast license issuance.
• Cons: Limited office spaces compared to others.

Meydan Free Zone

• Pros: Premium location near the international racecourse, flexi-desk options, and MOFA-recognized licenses.
• Cons: Slightly higher costs for dedicated offices.

SPC Free Zone

• Pros: Instant licenses, multiple business activities under one license, and no anti-money laundering compliance.
• Cons: Less brand recognition than IFZA or Meydan.

DMCC Free Zone

• Pros: Access to a global business hub, networking events, and visa packages.
• Cons: Higher setup costs (AED 20,000+).

JAFZA Free Zone

• Pros: Ideal for consultancies targeting logistics or trade, with customs tax exemption.
• Cons: Less focus on management consulting services.

How to Renew or Amend a Management Consultancy License in Dubai?

Renewing or amending your management consultancy license is crucial to staying compliant. Here’s how:

Renewal

• Submit a renewal application to your free zone or DET before the license expires (usually annually).
• Pay renewal fees (similar to initial costs, around AED 10,000–15,000).
• Update documents like a residence visa or an Emirates ID if needed.

Amendment

• Need to add business activities or change your trade name? Apply through the free zone portal.
• Pay amendment fees (AED 1,000–5,000, depending on changes).
• Provide updated shareholder documents or approvals.

FAQs

Q1. How much is a consultancy license in Dubai?

It starts at AED 12,500 in free zones like IFZA or SPC. Costs vary based on visa packages and office solutions.

Q2. Do I need qualifications to be a management consultant in UAE?

No formal degree is required, but a bachelor’s in business administration or three years of experience helps. Clients value business efficiency expertise.

Q3. Can I get 100% foreign ownership with a consultancy license?

Yes, in free zones like Meydan or DMCC, you get 100% foreign ownership and no corporate tax.

Q4. How do I renew my management consultancy license in Dubai?

Apply through your free zone or DET portal, pay renewal fees (AED 10,000–15,000), and update documents annually.

Q5. Can freelancers get a management consultancy license?

Yes, freelancers can apply in free zones like IFZA or as a mainland setup. It’s ideal for solo business management consultants.

Q6. What’s the difference between free zone and mainland licenses?

Free zones offer tax exemptions and foreign ownership, while mainland setups allow public sector contracts but may need a local sponsor.

Q7. Are there compliance requirements for consultancy activities?

Some activities, like public relations, need extra approvals. Free zones like SPC are exempt from anti-money laundering rules.

Q8. How long does license issuance take in Dubai?

In free zones, it takes 1–5 days. Mainland setups may take 1–2 weeks due to DED processing.

Conclusion

Ready to launch your management consultancy in Dubai, UAE? With a management consultancy license, you can tap into a booming consulting industry and help businesses achieve sustainable growth. Dubai’s free zones, like IFZA, Meydan, and SPC, make business setup in Dubai quick and tax-free. Whether you’re advising on strategy advisory services or human capital, the UAE business hub is your stage.

Don’t wait! Start your company formation in Dubai today. Pick your business activities, grab your license, and join the ranks of management consulting firms in Dubai. Got questions? Reach out to business setup consultants in Dubai for a hassle-free start. Your consultancy journey begins now!