Science & Technology Consultancy License in Dubai

Dubai's technology sector is expanding at pace — and a Science & Technology Consultancy licence (activity code 7210.98) positions your firm at the centre of that growth, advising businesses on applied research, technical strategy, and innovation deployment.

This guide covers what the licence permits, where to set up, what it costs, and how to get it done — without the noise.

Key Stats at a Glance

Metric	Detail
UAE technology sector GDP target	20% contribution by 2031 under the UAE Centennial Plan
Dubai innovation ranking	1st in MENA for innovation-driven business environment — Invest in Dubai
Digital economy share of Dubai GDP	3.5%, projected to double — Digital Dubai
ISIC classification	Code 7210 — Research and experimental development in natural sciences and engineering
Corporate tax rate	9% on taxable income above AED 375,000
Typical free zone setup timeline	3–7 working days

What a Science & Technology Consultancy Licence Covers

Activity code 7210.98 sits under ISIC Division 72 — Research and Experimental Development, specifically natural sciences and engineering. In practical terms, it authorises your firm to provide professional advisory services across the full spectrum of science and technology strategy.

Permitted activities under this licence include:

• Advisory services on R&D strategy and technology roadmaps
• Technology assessment and feasibility analysis
• Applied science consulting for private and public sector clients
• Innovation framework design and deployment support
• Technical due diligence and expert review services

What it does not cover: product manufacturing, clinical research, or regulated health technology applications. Those require separate approvals from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).

Viable business models under this licence include project-based consulting, retained advisory arrangements, technical feasibility studies, and participation in government tenders — the latter being particularly relevant given the UAE's sustained public investment in science and digital infrastructure, overseen in part by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Choosing the Right Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction decision shapes your client access, cost structure, and ownership model. Both options are commercially sound — the right one depends on who you are serving.

A mainland licence issued through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) allows you to contract directly with UAE government entities and local corporates. For a science and technology consultancy targeting public sector mandates or large enterprise clients, this access matters. The 2021 amendments to the UAE Companies Law removed foreign ownership restrictions for most professional activities, meaning 100% foreign ownership is now available on the mainland without a local sponsor for this activity category — confirmed via the Official UAE Government Portal.

A free zone licence — such as through Meydan Free Zone — offers 100% foreign ownership, a faster setup process, lower entry costs, and full repatriation of profits. There is no minimum share capital requirement. Flexible desk and virtual office packages make it practical for lean consultancy operations. The trade-off: free zone entities cannot directly contract with UAE mainland clients without a commercial agent or a dual-entity structure.

Key Regulatory Considerations

• Corporate tax at 9% applies on taxable income above AED 375,000 — register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
• No personal income tax in the UAE
• VAT at 5% applies to most consultancy services — registration required once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000
• Foreign ownership now permitted for most professional activities on the mainland under 2021 Companies Law amendments

Step-by-Step Licence Setup Guide

The process is straightforward when the steps are followed in order. Delays almost always stem from incomplete documentation or mismatched activity descriptions.

• Step 1 — Reserve your trade name: Check availability via the DED eServices portal for mainland, or through your chosen free zone authority. Names must not conflict with existing registrations or restricted terms.
• Step 2 — Define your legal structure: Choose between a sole establishment, LLC, or free zone company (FZC/FZCO) based on your ownership preferences and liability requirements.
• Step 3 — Submit initial approval application: Provide passport copies for all shareholders and directors, your proposed activity list, and a business plan summary if required by the authority.
• Step 4 — Secure office space: Mainland requires an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Free zone setups accept a flexi-desk or serviced office agreement from the zone authority.
• Step 5 — Pay licence fees and receive your trade licence: Once issued, register for corporate tax with the FTA if your projected income exceeds the threshold.
• Step 6 — Apply for visas and open a bank account: Investor and employee visas are processed through GDRFA or the relevant free zone authority. Corporate bank account opening follows licence issuance — allow 2–6 weeks depending on the bank.

Typical timelines: 3–7 working days for free zone; 2–4 weeks for mainland, depending on the approvals required. Further guidance is available through Invest in Dubai.

Costs, Visas, and Ongoing Compliance

Cost structures vary by jurisdiction and package. Below are realistic working figures:

Item	Free Zone (approx.)	Mainland DED (approx.)
Annual licence fee	AED 12,500 – 25,000	AED 15,000 – 30,000
Visa allocation (standard)	1–6 visas	Based on office size
Office requirement	Flexi-desk accepted	Ejari tenancy required
Audit requirement	Books for tax compliance	Annual audit for LLC

Visa quotas are scalable — larger office allocations unlock higher headcounts. All visa holders must maintain a valid Emirates ID, and renewals are required annually in line with the trade licence cycle.

Accounting obligations apply to all entities under the corporate tax framework. Mainland LLCs are subject to annual audit requirements. Free zone entities are not mandated to audit unless required by their zone authority, but clean books are essential for FTA compliance. Employment contracts and visa processing fall under Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) oversight for mainland entities.

Conclusion

A Science & Technology Consultancy licence in Dubai is a straightforward, commercially sound structure for advisors working across R&D strategy, applied science, and technology deployment. The choice between mainland and free zone comes down to your client base and growth model — both are viable, and both can be set up quickly with the right groundwork.

If you are serving international clients or want a lean, low-cost entry point, a free zone licence is the practical starting position. If UAE government contracts or large local corporates are part of your mandate, mainland is worth the additional setup effort.

Speak to the Meydan Free Zone team to confirm the right structure for your consultancy and get your licence in place without delay.

References

• UAE Centennial Plan (u.ae)
• Invest in Dubai (investindubai.gov.ae)
• Digital Dubai (digitaldubai.ae)
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) (dha.gov.ae)
• Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) (mohap.gov.ae)
• Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) (tdra.gov.ae)
• Federal Tax Authority (FTA) (tax.gov.ae)
• DED eServices portal (eservices.dubaided.gov.ae)
• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) (mohre.gov.ae)