Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What activity code covers a communication consultancy in Dubai
Communication consultancy in Dubai is classified under activity code 7320.15, which sits within ISIC Division 73 — Advertising and Market Research. The activity covers strategic communication advice, media relations, corporate messaging, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement.
It is advisory in nature, which distinguishes it from advertising agencies or PR execution firms that produce and place content directly. Before registering, confirm that the code is approved within your chosen jurisdiction, as some free zones maintain their own approved activity lists.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a communication consultancy in Dubai
Yes. Full foreign ownership is available for communication consultancies on both the mainland and in free zones. Post-2021 amendments to the UAE Companies Law removed the previous requirement for a local Emirati shareholder in most professional service categories.
On the mainland, you no longer need a local service agent for this activity type, meaning you can contract directly with UAE government entities and local companies while retaining 100% ownership of your business.
What does it cost to licence a communication consultancy in Dubai
Typical licence costs range from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000 depending on the jurisdiction you choose. Free zones generally sit at the lower end of that range and often include a flexi-desk arrangement, while mainland licences may carry additional costs related to a physical tenancy agreement registered with Ejari.
Beyond the licence fee, budget for corporate bank account setup, visa fees if you plan to sponsor staff, and professional indemnity insurance if required by clients. A cost calculator can help model the total outlay for your specific consultancy structure.
What is the difference between setting up on the mainland versus a free zone for this type of consultancy
Mainland licences, issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), allow you to contract directly with UAE government entities and local companies without restriction. They typically require a physical tenancy agreement registered with Ejari, which adds to overhead costs.
Free zones such as Meydan Free Zone offer faster setup timelines, lower initial costs, and flexi-desk arrangements that keep overheads manageable in the early stage. The trade-off is that some free zone entities face restrictions when contracting directly with onshore UAE clients, so consider your target client base before choosing.
How long does it take to open a corporate bank account in Dubai for a new consultancy
Allow 4–8 weeks for corporate bank account setup. UAE banks scrutinise new consultancy applications carefully, so preparation matters. You should have 6–12 months of projected financials ready and a clear, detailed description of your business model and revenue sources.
Delays are most commonly caused by incomplete documentation or vague business descriptions. Engaging a business setup adviser who has existing relationships with UAE banks can sometimes accelerate the process.
What are the corporate tax and VAT obligations for a communication consultancy in Dubai
The UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax on net profits above AED 375,000. Qualifying free zone entities that meet specific conditions and whose net profit remains below that threshold may benefit from a 0% rate — though you should confirm your eligibility with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) or a qualified tax adviser.
For VAT, registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. Communication consultancy services provided to UAE-based clients are generally standard-rated at 5%, while services to overseas clients may qualify for zero-rating subject to FTA rules on place of supply.
What documents are typically required to incorporate a communication consultancy in Dubai
Standard incorporation documents include passport copies for all shareholders and directors, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if you are currently employed under a UAE residence visa, and a business plan outline where the relevant authority requests one.
Additional requirements vary by jurisdiction. Free zones may ask for a CV or professional profile demonstrating relevant experience, while mainland applications processed through the DED e-Services portal follow their own checklist. Confirming the exact document list with your chosen authority or a setup adviser before submission avoids delays.
Who are the typical clients for a communication consultancy operating in Dubai
The client base for a Dubai-based communication consultancy is broad. Multinationals with regional headquarters in Dubai — of which there are 200 or more — represent a significant segment, requiring structured stakeholder engagement and consistent corporate messaging across markets.
Other common clients include UAE and Gulf government entities, regional conglomerates that need a coherent corporate narrative rather than ad-hoc campaign execution, and SMEs scaling across the Gulf that are building their communication function for the first time. The consistent growth of the UAE advertising and communications sector, driven by increased corporate activity and digital expansion, underpins demand across all these segments.
How to Start a Communication Consultancy in Dubai
Dubai holds more than 200 multinational regional headquarters. Every one of them has something to say to staff, regulators, investors or the press, and most of them are not confident they are saying it well. That gap is what a communication consultancy sells into.
This guide covers activity code 7320.15: what it lets you do, what it costs, where to license it, and the rules that apply once you are trading. The setup is simple for anyone who knows the work. The hard part comes later, and it is not paperwork.
Key Stats at a Glance
What This License Covers
Activity code 7320.15 sits inside ISIC Division 73, Advertising and Market Research. It covers strategic communication advice, media relations, corporate messaging, crisis communication and stakeholder engagement.
The word to hold onto is advisory. You tell clients what to say and how to say it. You do not produce the content or place the media, because that is what advertising agencies and PR execution firms do under their own licenses. Keeping that line clean matters for two reasons: it keeps you inside your license, and it is also your pitch. Clients pay for judgement they trust, and judgement is easier to trust when you have nothing to sell them on the back of it.
Before you register, check the code is approved in whichever jurisdiction you pick. Some free zones keep their own approved activity lists.
Who Your Clients Will Be
Your buyers fall into four groups:
- Multinationals with regional headquarters in Dubai, needing consistent messaging across markets
- UAE and Gulf government entities
- Regional conglomerates that want a coherent corporate story rather than one-off campaigns
- SMEs scaling across the Gulf and building a communication function for the first time
The first two groups pay well and move slowly. The last two move faster and pay less, which makes them useful early while you build a name. Nobody in any of these groups buys on a cold email, so budget your time accordingly.
Mainland or Free Zone
A mainland license from the Department of Economy and Tourism gives you the widest market. You can bid for government contracts, work directly with UAE-registered companies, and operate from any commercial address in Dubai. The cost is a physical tenancy and the overhead that comes with it.
A free zone license through Meydan Free Zone is faster, cheaper at setup, and fits a lean operation, whether that is one person or a small team. Your client scope may be limited to free zone entities and international clients unless you arrange a branch or distributor for mainland work. Let your target clients decide it, not the price.
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Step by Step Setup Guide
- Step 1, choose your jurisdiction: Mainland through DET, or a free zone such as Meydan Free Zone. Decide on the basis of who you intend to invoice.
- Step 2, book your trade name and confirm the activity: Check code 7320.15 is approved where you are licensing. Some free zones keep their own list.
- Step 3, send in your setup documents: Passport copies, an NOC if you are currently employed in the UAE, and a business plan outline where the authority asks for one.
- Step 4, take initial approval, then sort out your office: A flexi-desk covers most free zone setups and keeps overheads low early on. Mainland licenses may call for a tenancy registered with Ejari.
- Step 5, pay the fees and get your license: If you plan to hire, register with MOHRE for a labour card and to manage your visa quota.
- Step 6, open a corporate bank account: Allow 4 to 8 weeks. Have 6 to 12 months of projected financials and a clear account of how you make money.
Compliance and What You Need in Place
Your scope
General communication consultancy is advisory work and does not normally call for a media license. The UAE Media Council governs content production, publishing and media operations. The moment you move into producing content or placing media, that changes and you need to check what applies. Keep the line clear in your contracts as well as in your head.
Digital advisory
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority oversees digital communications infrastructure and related advisory work. If your consultancy stretches into digital platform strategy or telecom-adjacent advice, check whether TDRA registration applies to you.
Tax
Corporate tax is 9% on net profits above AED 375,000. Qualifying free zone entities meeting specific conditions may see a 0% rate, but confirm your own eligibility with the Federal Tax Authority or a tax adviser rather than assuming it. For VAT, registration is compulsory once taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. Services to UAE clients are normally standard-rated at 5%. Services to overseas clients may qualify for zero-rating under the place of supply rules.
Books and banking
Keep clean accounting records from day one. It makes the bank relationship easier and it makes any future audit dull, which is what you want an audit to be. UAE banks look hard at new consultancy accounts, and vague business descriptions are the most common reason applications stall.
Credentials
You need no specific professional certification for general communication consultancy. Government contracts are the exception: those often call for pre-qualification or vendor registration before you can bid.
Market Opportunity
More than 200 multinationals run regional headquarters out of Dubai, and each one needs structured stakeholder engagement and consistent messaging across several markets. That is a concentrated client base sitting in one city, which is unusual and worth a great deal to a consultancy that is building a pipeline.
Around them sit government entities, regional conglomerates and a steady flow of SMEs growing across the Gulf. The UAE advertising and communications sector has grown consistently on the back of rising corporate activity and digital expansion, and the wider MENA communications market is among the faster-growing professional services segments in the region.
The economics are kind. License costs run from AED 12,000 to AED 25,000, there is no equipment to buy, and a flexi-desk covers your office needs. Low capital, healthy margins, and demand that follows corporate activity rather than consumer mood.
Conclusion
A communication consultancy in Dubai is a low-capital business with real regional demand, provided you pick the right jurisdiction, license correctly under code 7320.15, and stay inside the media and tax rules from day one.
The setup is simple for an experienced founder. The real work is building a client pipeline in a market where relationships and credibility count for more than credentials. Plan for that to take longer than the license did.
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