Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 6399.02 and what does it permit a business to do
Activity code 6399.02 — officially titled Information Search Services On A Contract Or Fee Basis — permits the licence holder to provide structured research, data retrieval, and information brokerage to clients under paid engagements.
The operative model is business-to-business. The licensed operator sources, organises, and delivers information that clients either cannot find efficiently themselves or lack the internal resources to produce. Practical deliverables include market intelligence reports, corporate due diligence packs, regulatory research summaries, competitor landscape briefs, and sector-specific data compilations.
Billing structures such as retainer agreements, fixed-scope projects, and per-query arrangements are all legitimate under this licence.
How does activity 6399.02 differ from media monitoring, consultancy, and data analytics
The distinction is deliberate and compliance-relevant. Media monitoring involves tracking published content at scale, management consultancy implies providing strategic advice and recommendations, and data analytics covers statistical modelling and interpretation — none of which fall within 6399.02.
Activity 6399.02 covers the upstream work: finding, verifying, and packaging information. The licence does not extend to advising clients on what to do with the information delivered.
Operators who expand into analytics, advisory, or publishing without holding the corresponding activity codes create compliance exposure. Adding those activities requires the appropriate additional codes on the trade licence.
Who are the typical clients for an information search services business in Dubai
The client base for activity 6399.02 is well-defined and spans several professional sectors. Law firms conducting due diligence, investment offices assessing regional targets, and trading companies verifying counterparties are among the most active buyers of structured intelligence services.
Government contractors researching procurement environments and multinational regional headquarters needing localised intelligence before committing capital also represent consistent demand. As regional headquarters multiply in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the need for fast, reliable, jurisdiction-specific intelligence grows with them.
The commercial gap is clear: raw data is increasingly accessible, but organised, verified, and contextualised intelligence is not — giving well-positioned operators strong margins without requiring large teams or significant capital outlay.
What is the size and growth outlook for the information services market relevant to this business
The global information services market is projected to exceed USD 345 billion by 2028, with the Middle East among the fastest-growing regions, according to IMARC Group.
The UAE's digital economy contributed approximately 9.7% of GDP and is targeted to reach 19.4% by 2031 under the Digital Dubai strategy. This expansion is generating consistent demand for structured information services as businesses and government entities accelerate digitalisation programmes.
The broader information services sector across the Middle East and Africa continues to attract significant investment, underpinned by government digitalisation initiatives and private sector expansion, according to Statista data.
Which regulatory authority oversees information search services in the UAE
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) oversees digital information and data-related services in the UAE. For activity 6399.02, no sector-specific permit sits above the trade licence itself.
However, the scope of work must remain consistent with the licensed activity at all times. Operating outside the boundaries of the licensed activity — for example, providing analytics or strategic advice — without holding the corresponding activity codes creates regulatory exposure.
How does UAE data protection law affect an information search services business
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection applies directly to businesses handling personal data as part of their information services operations. Operators must understand how this law governs the collection, processing, storage, and delivery of any data relating to identifiable individuals.
This is particularly relevant when conducting corporate due diligence, counterparty verification, or any research that involves gathering information about named persons. Compliance obligations include ensuring lawful basis for processing, data minimisation, and appropriate handling of client and third-party data.
Founders should review the decree-law carefully before commencing operations and consider obtaining legal advice to ensure their research and delivery processes are fully compliant.
Why is Dubai specifically well-suited for launching an information search services business
Dubai's position as a regional data and knowledge hub creates both supply-side infrastructure and demand-side opportunity for information search services. The emirate hosts over 40 free zones supporting more than 500,000 registered businesses, representing a substantial built-in B2B client base for intelligence services, according to Invest in Dubai.
The concentration of regional headquarters, law firms, investment offices, and trading companies in Dubai means that demand for jurisdiction-specific intelligence is both real and recurring. Overhead for this type of business is low, and the regulatory path to licensing is described as straightforward.
Free zone structures such as Meydan Free Zone offer an efficient setup route, combining a recognised licence framework with the flexibility suited to knowledge-based service businesses.
What are the typical billing models used by information search services businesses
Three billing structures are commonly used and all are legitimate under activity code 6399.02. Retainer agreements provide a client with ongoing access to research capacity for a fixed monthly or quarterly fee, making them well-suited to law firms or investment offices with continuous intelligence needs.
Fixed-scope projects are defined engagements with a clear deliverable — such as a competitor landscape brief or a regulatory research summary — billed at an agreed price upon completion or in milestones. Per-query arrangements suit clients with occasional, discrete research needs who prefer to pay only for specific requests.
The choice of billing model typically depends on client type and relationship depth. Retainers offer revenue predictability for the operator, while project and per-query models lower the barrier to entry for new clients testing the service.
How to Start an Information Search Services Business in Dubai
Dubai's position as a regional data and knowledge hub makes information search services — activity code 6399.02 — a commercially viable and underserved niche for founders who can package research, intelligence, and data retrieval as a fee-based professional service. Demand is real, overhead is low, and the regulatory path is straightforward.
This guide covers what the licence covers, who the market is, and how to set up efficiently through Meydan Free Zone.
Key Stats at a Glance
- The global information services market is projected to exceed USD 345 billion by 2028, with the Middle East among the fastest-growing regions (IMARC Group)
- UAE's digital economy contributed approximately 9.7% of GDP and is targeted to reach 19.4% by 2031 (Digital Dubai)
- Dubai hosts over 40 free zones, supporting more than 500,000 registered businesses — a substantial B2B client base for intelligence services (Invest in Dubai)
- UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection governs how information businesses handle client and third-party data
What Information Search Services Actually Covers
Activity 6399.02 — Information Search Services On A Contract Or Fee Basis — permits the operator to provide structured research, data retrieval, and information brokerage to clients under a paid engagement. The operative model is B2B: you source, organise, and deliver information that clients either cannot find efficiently themselves or lack the internal resource to produce.
This activity sits at a deliberate distance from media monitoring, management consultancy, and data analytics. Media monitoring involves tracking published content at scale. Consultancy implies strategic advice and recommendations. Data analytics involves modelling and statistical interpretation. Activity 6399.02 covers the upstream work: finding, verifying, and packaging information — not advising on what to do with it.
Practical deliverables include market intelligence reports, corporate due diligence packs, regulatory research summaries, competitor landscape briefs, and sector-specific data compilations. Billing structures typically run as retainer agreements, fixed-scope projects, or per-query arrangements — all legitimate under this licence.
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The UAE's digital economy expansion is generating consistent demand for structured information services. As regional headquarters multiply in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the need for fast, reliable, jurisdiction-specific intelligence grows with them. According to Statista, the broader information services sector across the Middle East and Africa continues to attract significant investment, underpinned by government digitalisation programmes and private sector expansion.
The client base is well-defined: law firms conducting due diligence, investment offices assessing regional targets, trading companies verifying counterparties, government contractors researching procurement environments, and multinational regional HQs needing localised intelligence before committing capital.
The commercial gap is clear. Raw data is increasingly accessible. Organised, verified, contextualised intelligence is not. Operators who can bridge that gap — delivering clean, actionable information packages on defined timelines — command strong margins without requiring large teams or significant capital outlay.
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The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) oversees digital information and data-related services in the UAE. For activity 6399.02, no sector-specific permit sits above the trade licence — but the scope of work must remain consistent with the licensed activity. Expanding into analytics, advisory, or publishing without the corresponding activity codes creates compliance exposure.
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection applies directly to businesses handling personal data on behalf of clients. If your research involves individual-level data — employment records, personal financial information, or similar — you must handle, store, and transfer it in accordance with the law. Review obligations via the Official UAE Government Portal.
On tax: the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requires VAT registration once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 annually. Fee-based service providers should track revenue from inception and register proactively once approaching the threshold.
Setting Up via Meydan Free Zone: Step-by-Step
Meydan Free Zone supports activity 6399.02 as a standalone trade licence. The process is direct and requires no external regulatory approvals for this activity category.
- Select your activity: Confirm activity code 6399.02 at the application stage. Meydan's team can verify scope and flag any adjacent activities worth adding.
- Choose your licence package: A flexi-desk or virtual office arrangement is operationally sufficient for a lean research business. Physical presence is not required for most client engagements.
- Prepare documents: Passport copy and completed application form are the standard requirements. No sector-specific approvals are typically needed.
- Timeline: Licences are generally issued within a few working days. Visa eligibility is determined by the package selected — confirm allocation at the time of application.
- Remote incorporation: Meydan permits full remote setup. You do not need to be physically present in Dubai to complete incorporation.
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Information search services is a low-overhead, high-margin business model well suited to Dubai's free zone environment. Regulatory friction is minimal, B2B demand is established and growing, and the licence scope is broad enough to serve diverse client needs across research, intelligence, and data retrieval — without requiring sector-specific permits or large operational infrastructure.
Use the cost calculator to size your setup budget, then speak to the Meydan team to confirm activity scope and get your licence moving.
References
- IMARC Group (imarcgroup.com)
- Digital Dubai (digitaldubai.ae)
- Invest in Dubai (investindubai.gov.ae)
- Statista (statista.com)
- Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) (tdra.gov.ae)
- Official UAE Government Portal (u.ae)
- Federal Tax Authority (FTA) (tax.gov.ae)
