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Start a Business
How to start a business in the UAE: the route map, then playbooks by type of business, with the licence, approvals, steps and official costs for each.
Guides in Start a Business
17 guides
Start here · Start a Business
Start a Business in the UAE: The Complete Route Map (2026)
A route map for founders: four decisions that choose mainland, free zone or offshore, the regulators that must approve regulated…
20 min read
Part 1 of 16 · Start a Business
Consultancy Business in Dubai 2026: Licence, Approvals and Costs, and Which Fields Need a Regulator
Most consultancy in Dubai needs only a DET or free zone licence, but legal, engineering, financial, education, security and recruitment…
18 min read
Part 2 of 16 · Start a Business
Start a Software or IT Company in the UAE (2026): Tech-Zone Matrix, Government Contracts and ICV, IP Ownership and Tax
How to set up a software, SaaS or IT services company in the UAE: a side-by-side matrix of the tech…
17 min read
Part 3 of 16 · Start a Business
E-commerce Business in the UAE 2026: Licence Routes, Amazon.ae and noon Seller Checklist, Payment Gateways and the E-commerce Law
How to license an online store in the UAE, what Amazon.ae, noon and payment gateways check, and what Federal Decree-Law…
17 min read
Part 4 of 16 · Start a Business
Start an Import and Export Business in Dubai (2026): Licence, Customs Duty, Free Zone Sales and the Product Approval Matrix
What it takes to import and export from Dubai: where to base the company, the 5% GCC duty and free…
18 min read
Part 5 of 16 · Start a Business
Gaming Business in the UAE 2026: Game Studio, Esports or Real-Money Gaming, and Which Licence You Need
Game studios, esports and gaming content take an ordinary DET or free zone licence plus media and event permits; real-money…
18 min read
Part 6 of 16 · Start a Business
Crypto Business Licence in the UAE: VARA, DFSA, FSRA or CMA (formerly SCA)
The UAE has no single crypto licence. This guide maps each location and activity to its regulator (VARA, DFSA, FSRA,…
23 min read
Part 7 of 16 · Start a Business
Influencer Licence in the UAE 2026: Trade Licence, NMA Permit, Fines and Tax for Content Creators
How a UAE influencer or content creator gets licensed: which trade licence the National Media Authority's permit needs, official route…
14 min read
Part 8 of 16 · Start a Business
Digital Marketing Agency Setup in Dubai 2026: Licence Activities, NMA Approval, Costs and Tax
How to set up a digital marketing, advertising or social media agency in Dubai: the official licence activities, when the…
13 min read
Part 9 of 16 · Start a Business
How to Open a Restaurant or Café in Dubai 2026: Licence Activities, Municipality Approval, Food Safety and Costs
How to open a restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or food truck in Dubai: the official DET licence activities, the order…
18 min readNeed this handled?
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