Product Design Services License in Dubai

Dubai's product design sector sits at the intersection of manufacturing, technology, and creative services — making activity code 7110.79 one of the more versatile professional licences available in the emirate. Whether you are running an industrial design studio, advising manufacturers on consumer goods development, or offering end-to-end design-to-production consultancy, this licence covers the ground you need.

This guide covers what the Products Design Services licence covers, where to set it up, what it costs, and how to get it done efficiently.

Key Stats at a Glance

Activity Name	Products Design Services
Activity Code	7110.79
ISIC Classification	Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
Licence Type	Professional / Service
Jurisdiction Options	Mainland (DED/DET), Free Zone (e.g. Meydan Free Zone)
Estimated Setup Cost	From AED 12,500 (free zone) to AED 25,000+ (mainland)
Visa Eligibility	Yes — investor and employee visas
Ownership	100% foreign ownership permitted
Official Reference	Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism

What the Products Design Services Licence Covers

Activity code 7110.79 sits under ISIC Division 71 — Architectural, Engineering, and Related Technical Activities. This classification is significant: it positions product design firmly within the professional and technical services category, not the creative arts or advertising sector.

The licence scope includes industrial product design, consumer goods design, packaging design, and design consultancy for manufactured goods. It covers the full design development process — from concept and prototyping briefs through to production-ready specifications.

This is distinct from graphic design or interior design licences. The 7110.79 activity is specifically oriented towards tangible product development and design engineering — the kind of work that feeds directly into a manufacturing or supply chain process.

Typical clients include manufacturers, FMCG brands, electronics firms, and product startups seeking design-to-production support. If your work involves shaping how a physical product looks, functions, and is built, this is the correct licence.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Choosing the Right Jurisdiction

The choice between mainland and free zone is commercial, not just administrative. Both are viable for product design services — the decision turns on your client base and operating model.

A mainland licence, issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET/DED), allows direct client work across the UAE without restriction. You can invoice any UAE entity, sign contracts directly, and operate from any commercial address in Dubai. For studios with significant UAE corporate clientele, this is often the cleaner structure. Verify current requirements on local service agents or partnership structures directly with DET, as rules have evolved following the 2021 Companies Law amendments.

A free zone licence — such as through Meydan Free Zone — offers faster setup, 100% foreign ownership, lower entry cost, and is well-suited to internationally focused design studios. Free zone businesses serving UAE mainland clients may need a commercial agent or branch arrangement, so factor this into your operating model before committing.

Meydan Free Zone — A Practical Option for Design Professionals

Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership with no paid-up capital requirement. Remote setup is available, which suits founders who are not yet based in the UAE. Flexi-desk and virtual office packages keep overheads low for lean design studios and solo practitioners.

Visa allocation is available from day one of licence issuance, and the process is straightforward compared to mainland equivalents. For a product design consultancy with an international client base and a Dubai base of operations, Meydan is a practical, cost-efficient entry point.

Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide

The process is linear. Follow these steps in order and you will avoid the most common delays.

• Step 1 — Define your business structure: Decide between a sole establishment, LLC, or free zone company. For professional licences, a sole establishment (mainland) or free zone FZ-LLC are the most common structures for design consultancies.
• Step 2 — Reserve a trade name: Use the DET portal for mainland or the free zone authority's platform. Names must comply with UAE naming conventions — no offensive terms, no references to political or religious bodies, no names identical to existing registrations.
• Step 3 — Submit initial approval: Specify activity code 7110.79 on the application. Attach passport copies of all shareholders and managers, and an NOC from a current UAE employer if applicable.
• Step 4 — Secure an office address: A physical or flexi-desk address is required. For mainland licences, a tenancy contract registered via Ejari is mandatory for licence issuance.
• Step 5 — Pay fees and collect the licence: Once fees are settled, the trade licence is issued. Register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority if projected annual revenue exceeds AED 375,000.
• Step 6 — Apply for visas: Investor or employee visas can be applied for immediately post-licence. Emirates ID registration and a medical fitness test are required for all visa applicants.

Typical timeline: 3–7 working days for free zone setup; 2–4 weeks for mainland, depending on approvals and document readiness.

Key Documents Required

• Passport copy — all shareholders and managers
• UAE visa or entry stamp copy (if already in-country)
• Proposed trade name and confirmed business activity (7110.79)
• Tenancy contract or free zone office agreement
• NOC from current employer, if applicable

Costs, Compliance, and Ongoing Obligations

Licence renewal is annual. Budget for renewal fees alongside any visa renewal costs — these are recurring, not one-off, expenses. Factor them into your year-one and year-two cash flow projections.

VAT registration is mandatory once annual revenue exceeds AED 375,000. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500. Both thresholds and filing requirements are governed by the Federal Tax Authority. Quarterly or annual filing obligations apply once registered.

UAE Corporate Tax at 9% applies to taxable income above AED 375,000, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Maintain proper bookkeeping from the outset — retroactive accounting is expensive and creates compliance risk.

Professional indemnity insurance is not legally mandated for this activity, but it is commercially advisable for any design consultancy taking on product development briefs where errors carry downstream liability.

Conclusion

A Products Design Services licence under code 7110.79 is a straightforward professional licence with genuine commercial depth. It covers industrial and consumer product design across the UAE, sits within a well-defined regulatory category, and supports 100% foreign ownership in both free zone and — under current rules — mainland structures.

Free zone setup offers the fastest and most cost-effective entry point. Mainland suits those with direct UAE corporate clients who need unrestricted local contracting. Either way, the structure is clean, the regulatory burden is manageable, and the licence positions your business correctly within the UAE's professional services framework.

If you are ready to set up or want a cost breakdown specific to your structure, use the tools below or speak directly with the setup team.