Free Zone Business Activities:
What You Can Do Under a Free Zone Licence
A free zone licence lists the activities your business may carry out, and each zone approves activities from its own list. Many zones let you combine related activities on one licence, while regulated activities need approval from another authority first. Maven& checks your activities against the zone list before you apply.
- Activities matched to the zone list
- Approvals checked before you pay
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Free zone activities partner
Common licence categories
Trading, service or professional, industrial, e-commerce, media, holding and freelance permits.
Foreign ownership
Generally available in free zones, with extra approvals for regulated activities.
Team from start to launch
One consultant handles your application, approvals, visas and bank account introductions.
- Licence categories
Main free zone licence categories
Trading licence
Buying and selling goods, import, export and distribution, depending on the zone.
Service and professional licence
Consulting, marketing, IT and other service activities.
Industrial licence
Manufacturing, processing and assembly, usually with warehouse or industrial premises.
E-commerce, media and freelance
Online retail, content and media activities, and freelance permits where the zone offers them.
Which activities need extra approvals?
The activity decides your licence, your premises and any approval. Check this before you pay.
- Healthcare: needs health authority licensing, such as DHA in Dubai.
- Education and training: needs approval from the relevant education authority.
- Financial services: regulated by financial authorities and often limited to financial free zones.
- Food, health and chemical products: may need municipality or other permits.
- Combined activities: allowed in many zones, but only for activities the zone treats as compatible.
- Free zone vs mainland activities
Free zone vs mainland licence: how activities differ
Both routes license specific activities. The difference is who sets the list and where you can sell.
| Feature | Free zone licence | Mainland licence |
|---|---|---|
| Activity list | Set by each zone | Set by the emirate economic department |
| Combining activities | Often allowed within the zone list | Allowed within the activity list, with approvals |
| Selling in the UAE market | Limited unless the licence allows it | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Regulated activities | Extra approvals still apply | Extra approvals apply |
| Foreign ownership | Generally 100% | 100% for most activities |
See mainland business activities or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Licence setups
Three ways to structure your activities
Activity
For a focused business
- One clear line of business
- Simplest approval path
- Lowest licence cost
- Add activities later
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Activities
For related services
- Several related activities on one licence
- Subject to the zone compatibility rules
- Extra activities can add fees
- Suits consultants and traders
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Activity
For approval-led businesses
- Needs approval from another authority
- Longer timeline
- Qualified staff or premises may be required
- We map the approvals first
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does free zone business activities cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee before you commit.
- Licence and activity fees
- Premises or tenancy costs, where required
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Extra approvals, if your activity needs them
- Annual renewal and accounting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to choose and register your activities in 5 steps
List your activities
We list what you will sell or provide now and in the next year.
Match activity codes
We match each activity to the zone activity list.
Check approvals
We check whether any activity needs approval from another authority.
Apply with the right licence
We apply with the licence category that fits your activities.
Amend later if needed
We amend the licence when you add or change activities.
Documents required for free zone business activities
Most applications need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your case.
- Passport copy of every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Approval documents, where your activity is regulated
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for free zone business activities
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right activity, structure and authority
Rules differ by activity and authority. We check your activity, structure and approvals before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- FAQs
free zone business activities: frequently asked questions
Usually yes. Zones allow amendments to add or change activities, and extra activities can add fees or need approvals. We check the zone rules first.
The number depends on the zone and the licence package, and extra activities can add fees. We confirm the limit for your zone.
Some activities are limited to the mainland or need approvals that a zone cannot give, and regulated sectors have extra rules. We check your activity against the zone list before you apply.
No. Many commercial and service activities need only the zone licence, while regulated activities such as healthcare, education and finance need approval from another authority.
Not always. Trading licences cover permitted products, and some goods need permits or customs approvals. We confirm what your licence covers.
A licence category, such as trading or service, is the broad group. An activity is the specific line of business within it, and your licence lists the activities you may carry out.
The cost depends on your activity, premises, visas and approvals, so there is no single price. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your activity, authority, documents and approvals, and visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. We confirm your activity and structure, prepare the application, manage approvals and follow the process through to licence, visas and bank account. Final approvals are always the authority\u2019s decision. Contact us for an itemised quote.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to start with free zone business activities?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a plan built around your business. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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