UAE Free Zone Company for Consulting Business — Which Activity to Choose? 2026
Consulting is one of the most common UAE free zone activities. But “consulting” covers many things and choosing the right activity on your trade licence matters. Here is the 2026 guide.
In this guide:
Common Consulting Activities in UAE Free Zones
- Management Consulting: General business consulting, strategy, organizational design
- IT Consulting / Technology Consulting: Technology strategy, system selection, digital transformation
- Financial Consulting: Finance advice (non-regulated); budgeting, financial modeling
- HR Consulting: Human resources strategy, talent management, compensation
- Marketing Consulting: Marketing strategy, brand positioning, market research
- Legal Consulting: Non-UAE law consulting; general contract advisory
How Many Activities Can You Have on One UAE Licence?
- IFZA: 3 activities included in standard package; additional activities AED 1,500 each
- DMCC: Activity groups; multiple related activities can be included
- RAKEZ: Multiple consulting activities typically included at no extra cost
- SPC: Broader single-category approach; confirm what activities are included
Can “Consulting” Cover Multiple Disciplines?
- “Management Consulting” is broad — covers most business advisory work
- Add specific activities if your client contracts reference them: “IT Consulting”, “Marketing Consulting”
- Banks look at licensed activities vs. incoming payments; ensure the two align
UAE CT for Consulting Companies
- Consulting income from UAE clients: Non-QFZP qualifying; 9% CT above AED 375,000
- Consulting income from non-UAE clients (international consulting): Potential QFZP qualifying income
- Small Business Relief: Below AED 375,000 net income; 0% effective CT