How to Add Activities to Your UAE Free Zone Licence 2026
Businesses evolve — you may need to add new activities to your UAE free zone licence over time. Here is the complete 2026 guide for amending your UAE company activities.
In this guide:
Why Add Activities to Your UAE Licence?
- Your business has expanded into new service areas
- You want to invoice for services not currently on your licence
- Adding trading activities to a previously consultancy-only licence
- Adding a new product category to a trading licence
How Many Activities Can a UAE Free Zone Company Have?
Activity limits vary by free zone:
- IFZA: Typically up to 3 activities included; additional activities can be added for a fee
- SPC Free Zone: 1 activity in base package; additional activities cost extra
- DMCC: Multiple activities available from their extensive 80,000+ activity list
- SHAMS: 3 activities included in packages
Step-by-Step Process to Add Activities
- Log in to your free zone customer portal (or contact your free zone agent)
- Navigate to “Licence Amendment” or “Add Activities” section
- Select the new activities from the free zone activity list
- Submit the amendment request with a brief description of why you need the activity
- Pay the amendment fee (typically AED 500-1,500 per activity)
- Receive updated trade licence with new activities (usually 2-5 working days)
Activities That Require Special Approval
Certain activities require additional regulatory approval beyond the free zone licence amendment:
- Financial services (money exchange, lending): CBUAE approval
- Healthcare activities: DHA/DOH approval
- Media and broadcasting: NEMA approval
- Crypto/virtual assets: VARA approval (Dubai)
- Education (physical schools): KHDA/ADEK approval
What Activities Cannot Be Added to a Free Zone Licence?
- Activities that require a UAE mainland licence (certain government contract activities)
- Activities specifically reserved for UAE nationals
- Activities that inherently conflict with the free zone nature (local retail with walk-in customers)