Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does activity code 7490.13 cover in Dubai
Activity code 7490.13 covers agency services performed on behalf of individuals in film, theatre, sports, and the arts. This includes sourcing and securing engagements in motion picture production, theatrical performance, live entertainment, and sports representation.
The scope also extends to placing books, plays, artworks, and photographs with publishers, producers, and distributors. It is an intermediary licence — if you are producing the event or publishing the work yourself, a different activity classification applies.
Who typically needs an Agent and Agency Activities licence in Dubai
A range of professionals operating as intermediaries in the creative and sports sectors require this licence. Typical holders include talent agents representing actors, musicians, and performers, as well as sports representation firms managing athlete contracts and endorsements.
Literary agents placing manuscripts with publishers, casting agencies sourcing talent for film and TV, and entertainment brokers connecting acts with venues or event organisers also fall within this category. The common thread is the intermediary role — connecting talent with opportunity rather than executing the production or publication directly.
Which regulatory bodies oversee agency and representation activity in Dubai
Three key authorities are relevant depending on the specific area of agency work. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority oversees arts-related activities, while the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE General Authority of Sports provide structured frameworks for sports agency work.
For agents working in screen production, the Dubai Film and TV Commission actively supports film and TV talent pipelines and acts as a direct regulatory counterpart. Depending on your specialism, one or more of these bodies may need to be engaged during the licensing process.
Should I set up on the mainland or in a free zone for this licence
The choice between a mainland licence via the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) and a free zone licence such as Meydan Free Zone depends on how you intend to operate. Mainland licences allow direct contracts with UAE-based clients without restrictions, which is often important for agents working closely with local venues, broadcasters, or sports bodies.
Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership and typically faster setup, but may limit direct mainland trading. Agents whose client base is primarily international or who operate digitally may find a free zone structure sufficient, while those embedded in the local market often benefit from mainland status.
Why is Dubai considered a strategic location for agency and representation businesses
Dubai has deliberately positioned itself as the regional hub for entertainment, sports events, and media production. International productions are increasing their UAE footprint, global sports leagues are establishing regional bases, and publishing and content platforms are expanding operations — each creating structural demand for professional agency services.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the UAE entertainment and media market is projected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2027. Dubai Culture and Arts Authority reports the creative economy already contributes over AED 7 billion to GDP, and the Dubai Sports Council oversees more than 100 sporting federations and bodies, underscoring the scale of opportunity for licensed agents.
Does the agency licence cover both sports and arts representation under one activity code
Yes. Activity code 7490.13 is broad enough to encompass both sports representation and arts or entertainment agency work under a single classification. This makes it commercially flexible for firms that operate across multiple talent categories.
However, certain specialisms — particularly sports agency and arts-related work — may trigger additional external regulatory approvals from bodies such as the Dubai Sports Council or Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. These approvals sit alongside the core licence rather than replacing it, and applicants should factor them into their setup timeline.
What is the difference between an agency licence and a production or publishing licence in Dubai
The key distinction is the intermediary role. An Agent and Agency Activities licence (activity code 7490.13) covers the act of connecting talent with producers, publishers, venues, or event organisers — not executing the production, event, or publication itself.
If your business involves producing the film, staging the event, or publishing the book directly, you would require a different activity classification that reflects that operational role. Many businesses in the creative sector hold multiple activity codes to cover both representation and production functions within the same entity.
What are the main steps involved in setting up an agency licence in Dubai
The process begins with choosing your jurisdiction — mainland via the DED or a free zone — based on your intended client base and ownership structure. From there, applicants typically reserve a trade name, prepare incorporation documents, and submit an application to the relevant authority.
Where the activity involves arts or sports-specific agency work, additional approvals from external regulatory bodies such as the Dubai Sports Council or Dubai Culture and Arts Authority may be required, which can extend the timeline. For most applicants without these specialist requirements, the process is relatively straightforward. Working with a local business setup adviser can help navigate jurisdiction-specific requirements efficiently.
Agent and Agency Activities License in Dubai
Dubai's entertainment, sports, and publishing sectors are growing fast. The agents who connect talent with opportunity sit at the commercial centre of that growth. Activity code 7490.13 covers a specific and valuable category of professional services: agency work carried out on behalf of individuals in film, theatre, sports, and the arts.
This guide covers what the licence includes, who needs it, how to set it up, and what the rules look like in practice.
Key Stats at a Glance
What This License Covers and Who Needs It
Activity code 7490.13 sits within the ISIC framework under professional, scientific, and technical activities. It covers agency services carried out on behalf of individuals. This means sourcing and securing engagements in motion picture production, theatrical performance, live entertainment, and sports.
The scope also covers placing books, plays, artworks, and photographs with publishers, producers, and distributors. So the licence is relevant across a wider creative economy than many assume.
Typical licence holders include:
- Talent agents representing actors, musicians, and performers
- Sports representation firms managing athlete contracts and endorsements
- Literary agents placing manuscripts and creative works with publishers
- Casting agencies sourcing talent for film and TV productions
- Entertainment brokers connecting acts with venues or event organisers
This licence covers the intermediary role, not execution. If you produce the event or publish the book yourself, you need a different activity classification. The key regulatory touchpoints for this activity are the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Sports Council, and Dubai Film and TV Commission.
Market Context: Why Dubai for Agency and Representation Work
Dubai has deliberately set itself up as the regional hub for entertainment, sports events, and media production. That position creates real commercial demand for agency and representation services. It is not peripheral demand. It is structural demand tied to how the city operates.
Consider what is happening:
- International productions are increasing their UAE footprint
- Sports franchises and global leagues are setting up regional bases
- Publishing houses and content platforms are expanding operations
Each of these movements needs local representation infrastructure.
The UAE General Authority of Sports and Dubai Sports Council provide structured frameworks for sports agency work. This gives agents a clear regulatory environment to operate in. The Dubai Film and TV Commission actively supports film and TV talent pipelines, so it is a direct counterpart for agents in screen production.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the UAE entertainment and media market is on a steady growth path. It is projected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2027. For agents and agencies, that is a market worth entering with the right structure.
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Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide
The process is simple for most applicants. It gets more complex only where external approvals are needed. This usually applies to arts-related or sports-specific agency work.
Step 1 — Choose your jurisdiction
Decide between a mainland licence via the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) or a free zone licence, such as Meydan Free Zone. Mainland allows direct contracts with UAE-based clients, with no restrictions. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership and faster setup, but may limit direct mainland trading.
Step 2 — Reserve your trade name
Submit your preferred name through the Dubai DED e-Services portal or your chosen free zone's registration portal.
Step 3 — Submit initial approval application
Specify activity code 7490.13 at this stage. Accurate classification avoids delays later.
Step 4 — Secure office space
Get an Ejari-registered tenancy contract for mainland applications. Free zones usually accept flexi-desk arrangements, which cut overheads for small operations.
Step 5 — Submit supporting documents
These include your Memorandum of Association (MOA), passport copies of shareholders and directors, and any sector-specific approvals. One example is clearance from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority for arts-related agency work.
Step 6 — Pay licence fees and collect your trade license
Fees vary by jurisdiction and office setup.
Step 7 — Register with MOHRE
If you plan to hire staff, registration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is required for visa and employment compliance.
Timeline: most simple applications complete within 5–10 working days. Applications that need external approvals take longer. If your annual turnover passes AED 375,000, you must register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Key Differences
Compliance, Costs, and Ongoing Obligations
Your licence must be renewed each year. Costs depend on jurisdiction, office type, and the number of visas tied to your entity. There are no fixed published rates that apply to everyone, so get a specific quote based on your setup.
Contracts and legal counsel
Agent contracts with talent or rights-holders must follow UAE commercial law. Standard international agency agreements may not translate directly. Engage local legal counsel before you sign or issue any representation agreement.
Sports agents
Sports agents working within professional leagues or federations may need extra registration with the relevant sporting body under Dubai Sports Council oversight. This is separate from your trade licence. Confirm it early in your setup.
Tax and staffing
On tax, keep proper invoicing and VAT records once your turnover crosses the threshold. MOHRE compliance applies to all locally employed staff, including visa sponsorship duties.
The Invest in Dubai portal gives a consolidated view of business costs and regulatory requirements across sectors.
Conclusion
Activity code 7490.13 is a commercially viable and fairly accessible licence for talent agents, sports representatives, literary agents, and entertainment brokers in Dubai. The regulatory environment is structured but manageable. The market fundamentals, driven by Dubai's entertainment, sports, and media ambitions, are solid and growing.
The intermediary role that this licence covers is more valued as deals in Dubai's creative and sports economy grow in volume and complexity. Getting the structure right from the start, meaning jurisdiction, activity classification, and sector-specific approvals, saves time and avoids compliance issues later.
Use the cost calculator below to estimate your setup costs. Or speak to a business setup adviser to confirm the right jurisdiction and structure for your activity.
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