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 link talent with opportunity sit at the commercial centre of that growth. Activity code 7490.13 covers a specific and valuable type of professional service: agency work done 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 Licence Covers and Who Needs It
Activity code 7490.13 sits within the ISIC framework under professional, scientific, and technical activities. It covers agency services done on behalf of individuals. This means finding and securing work in film production, theatre, live entertainment, and sports.
The scope also covers placing books, plays, artworks, and photographs with publishers, producers, and distributors. So the licence reaches a wider creative economy than many people assume.
Typical licence holders include:
- Talent agents who represent actors, musicians, and performers
- Sports representation firms that manage athlete contracts and endorsements
- Literary agents who place manuscripts and creative works with publishers
- Casting agencies that source talent for film and TV productions
- Entertainment brokers who connect acts with venues or event organisers
Anyone focused on sport specifically may prefer to set up a players agent business in Dubai, negotiating transfers, sponsorships, and career decisions on behalf of professional athletes.
This licence covers the go-between role, not the delivery. If you produce the event or publish the book yourself, you need a different activity code. The key regulators 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 set itself up on purpose as the regional hub for entertainment, sports events, and media production. That position creates real demand for agency and representation services. It is not side demand. It is core demand tied to how the city works.
Look at what is happening:
- International productions are growing their UAE footprint
- Sports franchises and global leagues are setting up regional bases
- Publishing houses and content platforms are expanding
Each of these shifts needs local representation on the ground.
The UAE General Authority of Sports and Dubai Sports Council give clear frameworks for sports agency work. This gives agents a stable base to work from. The Dubai Film and TV Commission backs 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 set to top 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 involved only where external approvals are needed. This usually applies to arts-related or sports-specific agency work.
- Step 1, choose your jurisdiction. Pick a mainland licence via the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or a free zone licence, such as Meydan Free Zone. Mainland lets you sign direct contracts with UAE clients, with no limits. Free zones offer full foreign ownership and faster setup, but may limit direct mainland trading.
- Step 2, reserve your trade name. Submit your preferred name through the Dubai DET e-Services portal or your chosen free zone's registration portal.
- Step 3, submit the initial approval application. State activity code 7490.13 at this stage. Getting the code right 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 costs for small firms.
- 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 licence. Fees vary by jurisdiction and office setup.
- Step 7, register with MOHRE. If you plan to hire staff, you must register with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for visa and employment compliance.
Timeline: most simple applications finish within 5 to 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
You renew your licence each year. Costs depend on jurisdiction, office type, and the number of visas tied to your firm. There are no fixed published rates that apply to everyone, so get a quote based on your own setup.
Contracts and legal advice
Agent contracts with talent or rights-holders must follow UAE commercial law. Standard international agency agreements may not carry over directly. Get local legal advice before you sign or issue any representation agreement.
Sports agents
Sports agents who work 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 rules apply to all locally employed staff, including visa sponsorship duties.
The Invest in Dubai portal gives a single view of business costs and rules across sectors.
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Conclusion
Activity code 7490.13 is a workable and fairly easy licence for talent agents, sports representatives, literary agents, and entertainment brokers in Dubai. The rules are structured but workable. The market basics, driven by Dubai's entertainment, sports, and media push, are solid and growing.
The go-between role this licence covers gets more valuable as deals in Dubai's creative and sports economy grow in volume and complexity. Getting the structure right from the start, meaning jurisdiction, activity code, and sector-specific approvals, saves time and avoids compliance issues later.
Use the cost calculator below to estimate your setup costs. Or talk to a business setup adviser to confirm the right jurisdiction and structure for your activity.
