Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their mortgage consultancy. There is no requirement to partner with a UAE national sponsor, giving you complete control over your business.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
Unlike some financial activities, a mortgage consultancy under activity code 6619.16 does not require external regulatory pre-approval beyond your Meydan Free Zone trade licence. This significantly reduces setup time and administrative complexity.
Clear Regulatory Framework From Day One
The activity operates under oversight from the Securities and Commodities Authority and the Central Bank of the UAE, providing a well-defined compliance structure. This gives operators and their clients confidence in the legitimacy and standards of the business.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed through Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income alongside full profit repatriation. This makes it a highly cost-effective base for serving regional and international mortgage consultancy clients.
Know Exactly What the Licence Covers
The mortgage consultancy activity code covers core service delivery, client onboarding, regulated compliance obligations, and back-office operations. Activities like insurance brokerage or fund management fall under separate codes and are not included.
Strategic Timing Backed by Government Policy
The UAE has designated capital markets and financial services as strategic priorities under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031. Mortgage consultancy sits within this supported ecosystem, benefiting from sustained government investment and demand.
AML Exemption Reduces Compliance Burden
This specific business activity is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements, lowering the operational overhead for new entrants. Combined with a fully digital licensing process, it creates one of the faster routes into Dubai's financial services market.
How to Start a Mortgage Consultancy Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed mortgage consultancy business serves the UAE's financial-auxiliary and capital-markets services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed mortgage consultancy businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from SCA and Central Bank of the UAE oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of capital-markets infrastructure, cross-border flows, and a growing fund sector is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for auxiliary activities.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Financial-auxiliary service providers | Businesses providing brokerage, advisory, custody, administration, or related services to financial-market participants. |
| Capital-markets and fund operators | Teams running or supporting securities, commodities, derivatives, fund, or wealth-management activities. |
| International financial firms entering MENA | Global financial groups establishing a Dubai entity for regional brokerage, advisory, and auxiliary services. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai financial services market.
6619.16 - Mortgage Consultancy
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed mortgage consultancy business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Mortgage Consultancy core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as activities of insurance agents and brokers; management of funds fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed mortgage consultancy business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
