Business Valuation Services License in Dubai

Dubai's expanding M&A activity, foreign investment inflows, and mandatory valuation requirements under IFRS and UAE Corporate Tax law have made business valuation services one of the more commercially relevant professional licences to hold right now.

This guide covers what the Business Valuation Services licence (Activity Code 6920.93) covers, who needs it, where to set up, and how to get licensed in Dubai — mainland or free zone.

Key Stats at a Glance

Activity Name	Businesses Valuation Services
Activity Code	6920.93
ISIC Classification	Division 69 — Legal and Accounting Activities
Licence Type	Professional
Typical Setup Timeline	3–7 working days (free zone); 2–4 weeks (mainland)
Minimum Share Capital	No mandatory minimum for most free zone setups
Regulatory Body	DED (mainland) or relevant Free Zone Authority
UAE Corporate Tax Relevance	High — valuation reports required for transfer pricing, mergers, and asset classification under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022

What Business Valuation Services Covers — and Who It's For

Activity Code 6920.93 sits within ISIC Division 69, alongside accounting and auditing activities. It is classified as a professional activity, not a commercial one — meaning the licence is issued on the basis of expertise and qualifications rather than trading in goods or services at volume.

The scope covers valuation of businesses, equity stakes, intangible assets, goodwill, and financial instruments. In practice, this means producing formal valuation reports for a range of purposes: mergers and acquisitions, shareholder disputes, financial reporting, insolvency proceedings, and regulatory compliance.

The client base is broad. M&A advisors, private equity firms, family businesses restructuring ownership, litigation support teams, and corporate tax compliance functions all require qualified valuation work. Since UAE Corporate Tax came into effect in June 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, and given the continued application of IFRS 3 business combination rules, demand for credible, documented valuation reports has become structural rather than cyclical.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Where to Licence This Activity

The jurisdiction decision shapes your client access, cost base, and compliance obligations. There is no single right answer — it depends on who you are serving and how.

A mainland licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) allows direct contracts with UAE government entities and local corporates. This matters if your practice is likely to receive court-appointed valuation mandates or work with government-linked enterprises where a mainland presence is a contractual requirement.

Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, faster incorporation, and lower overhead. They are well suited to consultancy-led or cross-border valuation practices where the client base is largely private sector, regional, or international. DIFC and ADGM are regulated environments with their own legal frameworks — appropriate for firms serving financial institutions or investment funds, but they carry additional regulatory approval requirements and higher operating costs.

The key decision factors are: where your clients are based, whether you need UAE residency visas, and whether your work involves holding client funds or issuing opinions that carry regulatory weight in a supervised financial environment.

Meydan Free Zone — A Practical Option for Valuation Consultancies

Meydan Free Zone accommodates Activity Code 6920.93 under its professional licence category. Single-shareholder structures are permitted, remote onboarding is available, and visa allocation is included within standard packages. For smaller or newly established valuation practices, there is no mandatory audit requirement, and annual renewal is straightforward. It is a lean, functional setup for a practice that does not need a regulated financial services wrapper.

Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide

The process is broadly consistent across jurisdictions, with some variation in documentation and timelines.

• Step 1 — Choose jurisdiction: Decide between mainland (DED) or a free zone authority. Confirm that Activity Code 6920.93 is permitted under the chosen authority's activity list before proceeding.
• Step 2 — Reserve a trade name: Check availability via the DED's online portal or directly through the free zone authority. The name must not conflict with existing registrations and must comply with UAE naming conventions.
• Step 3 — Submit incorporation documents: Passport copies, Emirates ID (if already resident), and a proposed business plan or NOC if you are currently employed by another UAE entity.
• Step 4 — Initial approval and MOA: Mainland setups require drafting a Memorandum of Association and obtaining initial approval from DED. Free zones typically issue a licence agreement directly, bypassing the MOA stage.
• Step 5 — Office requirement: Free zones accept a flexi-desk or shared workspace arrangement. Mainland DED requires a physical tenancy contract registered through Ejari.
• Step 6 — Licence issuance and visa application: Once the licence is issued, apply for an investor or partner visa linked to the entity. Dependant visas can follow.
• Step 7 — Open a corporate bank account: Valuation firms should anticipate enhanced due diligence from banks given the professional services classification. Prepare a clear business plan, client profile summary, and evidence of qualifications.

Professional qualification evidence — CFA, ASA, RICS, or equivalent — may be requested by DED or certain free zone authorities as part of the professional licence approval process.

Regulatory Considerations and Compliance Obligations

Holding this licence comes with ongoing obligations that practitioners need to manage from day one.

UAE Corporate Tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 requires transfer pricing documentation for related-party transactions. Valuation firms advising clients on these matters must understand both the technical valuation standards and the tax compliance context their reports feed into.

Valuation reports used in DIFC or ADGM proceedings must meet those authorities' evidentiary and professional standards. If your practice is likely to produce reports for use in those jurisdictions, align your methodology documentation accordingly.

Anti-money laundering obligations apply. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018, professional service firms are required to conduct client due diligence, maintain records, and report suspicious transactions. This is not optional and applies regardless of firm size.

Operationally: annual licence renewal is required, VAT registration is mandatory once turnover exceeds AED 375,000 (managed through the Federal Tax Authority), and accounting records must be maintained and retained in accordance with UAE requirements.

Conclusion

A Business Valuation Services licence under Activity Code 6920.93 is a commercially sound professional licence in Dubai. Demand is real and structurally supported — corporate tax compliance, M&A activity, and IFRS reporting requirements are not going away. Setup is straightforward. Free zone routes are faster and leaner; mainland suits firms targeting government or court-linked mandates.

If you are ready to set up or want to confirm which jurisdiction fits your practice model, speak to the Meydan Free Zone team directly.