Most UAE free zone licences allow businesses to add multiple activities to a single licence, but the rules vary by free zone. Here is a complete guide to multiple activities on UAE free zone licences.
Why Add Multiple Activities to Your UAE Licence?
Adding multiple activities: allows you to invoice for a wider range of services under a single licence, prevents the need for a second licence (which would require a second visa allocation and higher costs), and provides flexibility as your business evolves. Examples: a marketing consultant may want to add social media management, content creation, and event management to their professional services licence. A trading company may want to add import/export, distribution, and e-commerce on one licence.
Multiple Activities by Free Zone
IFZA: Up to 3 activities included in the base package. Additional activities: AED 500-1,000 per activity. IFZA has 2,000+ activities available. Activities can span multiple categories (trading + professional services + tech). One of the most flexible free zones for multi-activity licences. Shams: 3 activities included in base package. Additional activities at extra cost. Activity mix must be within the media/creative/professional scope (Shams is sector-focused). DMCC: Activities listed on the DMCC licence. Adding activities: AED 1,000-3,000 per activity. DMCC is strict about activity categories. Trading activities and professional activities may require separate licences for some combinations. RAKEZ: Multiple activities permitted, similar to IFZA structure. DIC/DMC: Activities must align with the tech/media focus. Cross-sector activities are not permitted. You need a separate free zone for unrelated activities.
Adding Activities: Process
Step 1: Check the free zone’s activity database for the exact activity name and code. Step 2: Submit an activity amendment request via the free zone portal. Step 3: Pay the activity addition fee (AED 500-3,000 depending on free zone). Step 4: Receive updated licence reflecting new activities. Processing time: 1-5 business days for most free zones.