Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 7310.12 and what does it authorise a business to do in Dubai
Activity code 7310.12 is the official classification for a Public Relations Consultancy licence in Dubai. It sits within ISIC Division 73 — Advertising and Market Research and authorises a business to provide strategic communications services on a consultancy basis.
Permitted services include media liaison, press release drafting, crisis communications planning, brand positioning, stakeholder engagement programmes, event PR coordination, and corporate or government communications advisory.
It is important to note that this licence does not cover paid media buying or advertising agency functions — those require separate activity codes. Confirming your full service scope before filing helps avoid common compliance errors.
What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone PR consultancy licence in Dubai
A mainland licence issued through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) allows direct contracting with UAE government bodies, semi-government entities, and local private sector clients without restriction. It is the more practical structure if your target clients are primarily UAE-based.
A free zone licence — such as through Meydan Free Zone — offers 100% foreign ownership, faster incorporation, and lower overhead. It is better suited to consultancies serving regional or international clients, or those operating in a remote or advisory capacity.
Free zone entities that wish to contract directly with mainland UAE clients may require a local distributor arrangement or a mainland branch, so factor this into your planning if your pipeline is predominantly UAE-domestic.
Is there a mandatory minimum share capital requirement for a PR consultancy licence in Dubai
For most free zone structures, there is no mandatory minimum share capital requirement when setting up a Public Relations Consultancy under activity code 7310.12.
Requirements can vary depending on the specific jurisdiction and legal structure chosen — for example, a mainland LLC may have different considerations compared to a free zone FZ-LLC or sole establishment. It is advisable to confirm the exact requirements with your chosen jurisdiction before proceeding.
Why is Meydan Free Zone recommended for PR consultancy businesses
Meydan Free Zone is highlighted as a practical option for PR consultancies for several reasons. It supports flexible activity bundling, allowing founders to combine complementary activities such as media monitoring or event management alongside the core PR consultancy activity from the outset.
It also offers competitive annual fees and remote setup capability, which is particularly useful for founders who are not yet physically based in the UAE. This reduces the friction and upfront cost of market entry.
According to Invest in Dubai, the emirate's free zone infrastructure is specifically designed to reduce barriers for professional services businesses entering the market.
What types of clients typically use a Dubai-licensed PR consultancy
The demand base for PR consultancy services in Dubai is broad. Typical clients include corporates, government entities, hospitality groups, real estate developers, and international brands entering the UAE market.
This wide client base is one of the reasons the Public Relations Consultancy licence is considered one of the more commercially durable professional services licences available in Dubai. The MENA advertising and PR sector has been tracking consistent annual growth, and the UAE remains a primary regional hub for international brand entry.
What legal structures are available when setting up a PR consultancy in Dubai
The appropriate legal structure depends on the jurisdiction you choose. For a mainland setup, the standard structure is a Limited Liability Company (LLC). For a free zone setup, the options include an FZ-LLC or a branch of an existing company.
If you are operating as an individual consultant rather than a corporate entity, a sole establishment structure is also available. Each structure carries different implications for ownership, liability, and operational scope, so the choice should be made in conjunction with your jurisdiction decision.
What is the first step in the process of obtaining a PR consultancy licence in Dubai
The first step is to confirm activity code 7310.12 as your primary business activity. The setup process is linear, with each step dependent on the one before it.
At this stage, you should also identify any complementary activities — such as event management or media monitoring — and plan to add them at the outset rather than filing an amendment later. Adding activities during the initial application is more efficient and avoids additional administrative steps down the line.
Does a PR consultancy licence in Dubai cover advertising and media buying services
No — activity code 7310.12 specifically covers public relations consultancy services and does not authorise paid media buying or advertising agency functions.
Businesses that wish to offer both PR and advertising or media buying services must obtain separate activity codes for those functions. Conflating the two is described as a common compliance error, so it is essential to confirm your full intended service scope before submitting your licence application.
Public Relations Consultancy License in Dubai
Dubai is where brands land when they want the region to notice them, and that keeps PR consultants busy. The license you need is activity code 7310.12.
This guide covers what a Public Relations Consultancy license lets you do, where to set it up, how the process runs, and what it costs, so you can decide properly before you commit.
Key Stats at a Glance
What This License Covers
Code 7310.12 sits in ISIC Division 73, Advertising and Market Research. In plain terms, it lets you sell strategic communications, media relations, reputation management, and press office work on a consultancy basis.
What you are allowed to do:
- Media liaison and press release writing
- Crisis communications planning and handling
- Brand positioning and narrative work
- Stakeholder engagement programmes
- Event PR and media coordination
- Corporate and government communications advice
It does not cover paid media buying or advertising agency work. Those need their own codes. Mixing the two up is one of the most common mistakes people make, so confirm your full service list before you file.
Who Your Clients Will Be
Corporates, government entities, hospitality groups, real estate developers, and international brands arriving in the UAE. That spread is wide, which is what makes this one of the more durable professional licenses in Dubai. When one sector goes quiet, another is usually launching something.
Mainland or Free Zone
This is the biggest choice you will make when setting up. Let your clients decide it, not the price.
If your revenue will come from UAE government, semi-government, or big local corporates, the mainland is the cleaner structure. Meydan Free Zone works well for consultancies serving regional or international clients, or working mostly in an advisory capacity. It also lets you bundle activities, so you can put media monitoring or event management alongside the core PR activity from the start.
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Step-by-Step Setup Guide
The process runs in order, and each step depends on the one before it. Do not try to squeeze them together.
- Step 1, set your activity: Confirm 7310.12 as your main activity. If you will also do event management or media monitoring, add those now rather than amending later.
- Step 2, choose jurisdiction and structure: LLC for mainland, FZ-LLC or a branch for a free zone, or a sole establishment if you are working as an individual consultant. Each one carries different ownership and liability effects.
- Step 3, book your trade name: Apply through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism portal or your free zone. The name cannot clash with an existing company or use regulated terms. Approval usually comes the same day or within 48 hours.
- Step 4, send your incorporation papers: Passport copies, UAE visa or Emirates ID, a No Objection Certificate if you currently work in the UAE, and a business plan if the authority asks for one.
- Step 5, get initial approval and pay: Free zone approvals usually take 2 to 5 working days. Mainland applications may need clearance from the UAE Media Council for media-related work, so check with your registration agent before you submit.
- Step 6, sort out office space: A flexi-desk covers most free zone requirements. Mainland needs a tenancy contract on Ejari. The size of your office affects how many visas you get.
- Step 7, collect your license and apply for visas: Investor or partner visa first, then employee visas up to your quota. The full residency process is set out on the Official UAE Government Portal.
Compliance and What You Need in Place
Renewals and accounts
Your license renews every year. Most mainland structures and some free zones also want audited financials, so keep your books in order as you go rather than at year end.
Corporate Tax
UAE Corporate Tax of 9% applies to profits above AED 375,000. PR consultancies are not exempt. Register with the Federal Tax Authority as your turnover nears that line.
VAT
Registration is required at AED 375,000 in taxable turnover. PR services are standard-rated at 5%.
Staff
Employment sits under Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation rules, including Emiratisation quotas once your headcount hits the relevant threshold.
Media approvals
If your firm handles media accreditation or works directly on government communications, you may need extra approval from the UAE Media Council.
Costs and Market Opportunity
Free zone license fees for a PR consultancy usually run AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 a year, depending on the package and how many visas you need. Mainland costs move with office size, activity classification, and any extra approvals.
On the demand side, the MENA advertising and PR sector keeps growing year on year, and the UAE remains the first stop for international brands entering the region. That means a steady stream of launches, repositionings, and crisis briefs, and PR is one of the few marketing lines companies keep paying for on retainer rather than campaign by campaign.
A practical note on how you sell. Most PR consultancies in Dubai start on project work and try to move clients onto retainers, because retainers pay the salaries between launches. The fastest route there is usually a specialism: property, hospitality, fintech, or government communications. Generalists compete on price. Specialists get called when something goes wrong, and that is where the better fees sit.
Conclusion
A Public Relations Consultancy license under code 7310.12 is simple enough to get in Dubai. The real decisions are your jurisdiction, your legal structure, and whether your clients are mostly local or international. A free zone suits leaner, outward-facing operations with low overheads. The mainland is stronger if you are going after UAE government bodies or large local corporates directly.
Get the activity scope and the jurisdiction right at the start, because amending after incorporation costs both money and time.
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