Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Mechanical Engineering Services licence (Activity Code 7110.85) allow you to do in Dubai
Activity Code 7110.85 authorises the holder to provide mechanical engineering expertise on a consultancy and advisory basis. Permitted activities include mechanical system design, HVAC engineering, industrial plant consultancy, equipment specification, energy efficiency assessments, and technical feasibility studies.
It is important to note that this is a professional services licence, not a contracting licence. Physical installation, site execution, and construction works fall outside its scope. If you intend to carry out on-site works, a separate trade or contracting licence will be required.
What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone licence for mechanical engineering services in Dubai
A mainland licence issued through Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) is the right choice if you plan to contract directly with UAE government entities, bid on public tenders, or work on-site across Dubai without restriction. It also carries greater credibility with certain institutional clients who require a DET-registered entity.
A free zone licence — such as one issued by Meydan Free Zone — offers faster setup, 100% foreign ownership, no paid-up capital requirement, and lower overheads. It suits consultancy-led, project-based, or remote-delivery business models particularly well.
Free zone operators engaging mainland clients often appoint a local service agent or structure contracts through a mainland-registered partner for site-specific engagements.
How long does it take to set up a Mechanical Engineering Services licence in Dubai
Setup timelines vary by jurisdiction. A free zone licence can typically be issued within 3–7 working days, making it the faster route for consultants who want to begin trading quickly.
A mainland licence through DET generally takes 2–4 weeks, as it may involve additional approval steps, particularly where regulatory bodies such as Dubai Municipality are required to review the application scope.
Is there a minimum share capital requirement for a Mechanical Engineering Services licence in Dubai
For most free zone jurisdictions in Dubai, there is no mandatory minimum share capital for professional licences, including the Mechanical Engineering Services activity. This makes the free zone route particularly accessible for individual consultants and small advisory firms.
Mainland professional licences under DET also generally do not impose a paid-up capital requirement, though specific conditions can vary. It is advisable to confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority or a registered business setup adviser before proceeding.
Which regulatory bodies oversee mechanical engineering practice in Dubai
Dubai Municipality oversees engineering practice standards in Dubai and may require registration for certain scopes of work, particularly those involving built environment projects.
Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) governs mainland commercial registration and licence issuance for businesses operating outside free zones.
Engineers seeking formal professional accreditation in the UAE should also review membership and registration requirements with the UAE Society of Engineers.
Who are the typical clients for a mechanical engineering consultancy in Dubai
Businesses holding the Mechanical Engineering Services licence typically serve a broad range of clients across the built environment and industrial sectors. Common client types include:
- Property developers requiring mechanical system design input
- Main contractors seeking specialist HVAC or plant consultancy
- Facility management companies commissioning energy efficiency assessments
- Industrial operators needing technical feasibility studies
- Government project offices procuring engineering advisory services
The project-based or retainer-based nature of the work suits lean team structures and remote delivery arrangements, which is one reason the licence is commercially attractive in the current Dubai market.
Can a mechanical engineering services firm in Dubai sponsor employee visas
Yes, visa eligibility is available under the Mechanical Engineering Services licence, but it is subject to office space and jurisdiction-specific rules. The number of visas a company can sponsor is typically linked to the size of the physical office space allocated to the business.
Free zone licences often come with flexible desk or flexi-desk packages that include a set visa allocation, while mainland setups may require a formal tenancy contract to determine visa quota. Confirming visa entitlements with your chosen jurisdiction authority before setup is recommended.
What should you check before applying for Activity Code 7110.85 if you offer multiple engineering disciplines
Activity Code 7110.85 specifically covers mechanical engineering services within ISIC Division 71. If your firm intends to offer services across multiple disciplines — such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering — you should cross-check the full activity list to determine whether additional activity codes need to be included on your licence.
Combining activities on a single licence is often possible but may affect the applicable fee structure and, in some cases, require sign-off from additional regulatory bodies. Confirming your exact scope at the outset helps avoid costly amendments or compliance issues after the licence has been issued.
Mechanical Engineering Services License in Dubai
Dubai keeps building, and every building needs someone to work out how the mechanical systems inside it will actually function. Activity code 7110.24 licenses that advisory work.
This guide covers what the code permits, the contracting line you cannot cross, the jurisdiction choice, and what the setup costs.
Key Stats at a Glance
What This License Covers
Code 7110.24 covers technical advisory and design work delivered by qualified engineering professionals:
- Mechanical systems design
- HVAC consultancy
- Industrial plant advisory
- Energy systems analysis
- Technical project management
The scope is broad enough for complex multi-discipline projects while staying clearly defined for regulatory purposes.
The Line You Cannot Cross
This is a consultancy license, not a contracting one. It does not permit physical construction, installation or on-site execution.
That distinction matters more in mechanical engineering than in most disciplines, because the natural progression of a client relationship pushes against it. You design the system, the client asks whether you can install it, and installing it puts you outside your license. If your model involves both advisory and execution, you need a separate contracting license or a properly structured subcontracting arrangement with a licensed contractor. Decide which you are before you apply.
Who Your Clients Will Be
- Real estate developers
- Oil and gas operators
- Government infrastructure bodies
- Manufacturing firms
All four are active and growing in the UAE, and all four buy engineering advice as a condition of getting projects approved rather than as an optional extra.
Mainland or Free Zone
This is the biggest choice you will make when setting up. Let your clients decide it, not the price.
For large infrastructure projects or public sector work, mainland registration is effectively mandatory. For international consultancies, remote advisory practices and private sector project work, the free zone is the logical starting point, with mainland registration added later once client relationships require it.
The locally qualified engineer requirement is the item most likely to add time and cost to a mainland application, so establish early whether it applies to your configuration.
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Step-by-Step Setup Guide
The process is linear, and the timeline depends largely on how ready your documents are at each stage.
- Step 1, define your structure: Sole establishment, LLC or free zone company. For consultancy work, a single-shareholder free zone company is the most common and efficient structure for international founders.
- Step 2, book your trade name: The name must reflect the engineering scope and follow UAE naming conventions, so no offensive terms and no references to external governments or religions without approval.
- Step 3, submit your documents: Passport copies for all shareholders and directors, a summary business plan, and a No Objection Certificate if you are currently employed in the UAE on a sponsored visa.
- Step 4, get activity approval: Confirm 7110.24 is listed on your application. In some jurisdictions mechanical engineering consultancy needs additional technical approval from Dubai Municipality or a sector regulator before the license issues.
- Step 5, collect your license and establishment card: Then apply for investor or partner visas, followed by Emirates ID registration and medical fitness testing.
- Step 6, open a corporate bank account: Engineering consultancies with professional licenses are generally well received by UAE banks. Prepare six to twelve months of projected financials, your business plan and evidence of a client pipeline where you have one.
Compliance and What You Need in Place
Staying advisory
Check any significant new engagement against your license scope. Design and specification are inside it; installation and site execution are not.
Tax
VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000, and engineering consultancy fees are standard-rated at 5% under UAE VAT law, as confirmed by the Federal Tax Authority.
Professional indemnity insurance
Not a statutory requirement for most free zone structures, but commercially advisable. Government and infrastructure clients frequently make it a contractual condition before they will engage you.
Visas and premises
Visa quotas follow your office. A flexi-desk or shared workspace typically supports one to three visas, and dedicated space unlocks higher allocations, which matters if you plan to build a local team.
Renewal
Both the license and visas renew annually.
Costs
License fees vary by jurisdiction and package. Meydan Free Zone packages typically include the establishment card and an initial visa allocation, which gives you a predictable upfront figure without add-ons appearing later.
Mainland costs cover DET registration, Dubai Municipality engineering activity registration, and local service agent fees where they apply. Budget more than the free zone route, then weigh that against the client access it buys you.
Market Opportunity
The demand behind this license is tied to construction and industrial volume, both of which remain strong. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan alone represents a generation of engineering advisory work across residential, commercial and industrial development.
The practical appeal for a founder is that this is a knowledge business. There is no plant and no stock, so a qualified engineer with a flexi-desk license can be trading inside two weeks and scale by adding people rather than capital.
Conclusion
A mechanical engineering consultancy license under 7110.24 is a straightforward professional license with a clearly defined scope.
The jurisdiction choice comes down to your client base and contract type. Free zone setup is faster and leaner, mainland access is broader but carries extra regulatory steps including the qualified engineer requirement. Either way, keep the advisory and contracting distinction clear from day one.
Speak to the Meydan Free Zone team to confirm the right jurisdiction, activity approvals and visa structure before you commit.
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