Mines, Mining & Geological Engineering Consultancy License in Dubai

As the UAE accelerates its industrial diversification and positions itself as a regional hub for resource and infrastructure projects, demand for qualified mining and geological engineering consultancies is growing — and Dubai is the logical base.

This guide covers what activity code 7110.38 covers, who it suits, how to structure the licence, and what the setup process looks like in practice.

Key Stats at a Glance

Activity Code	7110.38
Activity Name	Mines, Mining & Geological Engineering Consultancies
ISIC Classification	ISIC Division 71 — Architectural and Engineering Activities; Technical Testing and Analysis
Licence Type	Professional / Consultancy
Typical Setup Timeline	5–10 working days (Meydan Free Zone)
Ownership Structure	100% foreign ownership available via free zone
Visa Eligibility	Investor and employee visas available
Authority Reference	UAE Ministry of Economy; Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

What This Activity Covers and Who It Is For

Activity code 7110.38 sits within ISIC Division 71, which covers professional, scientific, and technical services — specifically consultancy work related to mining operations, geological surveys, and mineral engineering. This is a knowledge-based licence, not a trading or extraction licence.

The permitted scope is broad. Firms operating under this activity can provide advisory services, conduct feasibility studies, carry out site assessments, produce geological mapping, and prepare technical reports for mining and extraction projects across any geography.

The client base is equally varied: mining companies, government infrastructure bodies, oil and gas operators, and construction developers requiring subsurface or geotechnical analysis. For international firms looking to serve GCC and African resource markets from a credible regional base, Dubai offers time zone alignment, connectivity, and regulatory familiarity that few other cities match.

Scope of Permitted Services

• Geological surveys and mineral resource assessments
• Mine planning and extraction feasibility consultancy
• Technical due diligence for resource extraction projects
• Environmental impact studies related to mining operations
• Reporting and compliance advisory for regulatory submissions

Licence Structure: Free Zone vs Mainland

The choice between free zone and mainland determines your ownership structure, client access, and operational flexibility. For most consultancies under activity 7110.38, a free zone licence is the starting point.

Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, no corporate tax on qualifying income, and incorporation timelines of five to ten working days. It supports remote setup — practical for founders not yet physically based in the UAE. The licence category is professional, meaning no physical goods and no trading activity are involved.

A mainland licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is the appropriate route if you intend to contract directly with UAE federal or emirate-level government entities. Mainland setup under the current regulatory framework also permits 100% foreign ownership for most professional activities, though the process and cost structure differ from free zone registration.

Key Structural Considerations

• Free zone entities cannot operate directly on the UAE mainland without a local agent or a registered branch — factor this into your client targeting strategy from the outset
• Professional qualifications of the lead consultant may be requested at the licence approval stage, depending on the authority
• Corporate tax registration is required if annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000 — engage a tax adviser before you begin trading, not after

Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide

The process is straightforward for a professional consultancy licence. Below is the sequence as it typically runs through Meydan Free Zone.

Step 1 — Confirm activity eligibility. Verify that activity code 7110.38 is approved under your chosen jurisdiction. Meydan Free Zone supports a wide range of professional and consultancy activities.

Step 2 — Choose your legal structure. A Free Zone Establishment (FZE) suits a sole founder. A Free Zone Company (FZC) applies where there are two or more shareholders.

Step 3 — Reserve your trade name. The name must reflect the consultancy nature of the business and comply with UAE naming conventions — no offensive terms, no references to political or religious bodies, and no duplication of existing registered names.

Step 4 — Submit incorporation documents. Standard requirements include passport copies for all shareholders and directors, proof of address, and a business plan summary if requested by the authority.

Step 5 — Obtain your licence. Once issued, apply for your establishment card. This enables you to process investor and employee visa applications through the relevant immigration channel.

Step 6 — Open a UAE corporate bank account. Allow two to four weeks for account opening. Having an active licence and a physical registered address in place before approaching banks materially improves approval timelines.

Step 7 — Register for corporate tax. If your annual taxable income exceeds AED 375,000, registration with the Federal Tax Authority is mandatory. Register early — penalties apply for late registration.

Documents Typically Required

• Passport copy of all shareholders and directors
• No-objection letter if the applicant is currently employed in the UAE
• Professional CV or relevant qualifications for the lead consultant (may be requested)
• Completed application form and signed licence agreement

Costs, Visas, and Ongoing Compliance

Meydan Free Zone licence packages are among the most cost-competitive in Dubai, making them well suited to lean consultancy setups where overheads need to be managed carefully in the early stages.

Visa allocation is tied to the office package selected. A flexi-desk arrangement typically supports one to three visas. If your team is larger, upgrade to a dedicated office package to unlock additional visa quota.

Annual licence renewal is mandatory. Maintain your registered address, keep shareholder records current, and ensure your establishment card is renewed in line with your licence cycle.

On tax: UAE corporate tax at 9% applies to taxable income above AED 375,000. Professional consultancies are not automatically exempt. Accounting and bookkeeping obligations apply from the first day of trading — not from the point at which you become tax-registered.

Conclusion

A Mines, Mining & Geological Engineering Consultancy licence under activity code 7110.38 is a clean, professional licence suited to qualified engineers and consultants looking to operate from Dubai across GCC, African, and Asian resource markets. The regulatory framework is well-defined, the free zone route via Meydan offers speed and full foreign ownership, and the mainland option remains available for those whose strategy involves direct government contracting.

The UAE's position as a trade and logistics hub — combined with its growing focus on industrial diversification under Operation 300bn and the broader national industrial strategy — makes this an increasingly relevant jurisdiction for resource sector professionals.

Speak to the Meydan Free Zone team to confirm activity eligibility, get a cost breakdown, and start your application.