UAE Free Zone Company Activities List — What Activities Can You Add? 2026
UAE free zone companies can conduct only the activities listed on their trade licence. This resource explains how activities work and which are most common.
In this guide:
How UAE Business Activities Work
- Every UAE free zone company must specify which business activities it will conduct
- Activities are chosen from a list maintained by each free zone
- Operating outside your licensed activities is an offence under UAE law
- Most free zones charge per activity (1-3 activities included; more cost extra)
Most Common UAE Free Zone Activities by Sector
Technology and IT
- Information Technology Services
- Software Development
- Website Design and Development
- Application Development
- IT Consulting
- Cybersecurity Services
- Data Analytics Services
- Artificial Intelligence Consulting
- Cloud Computing Services
Business Services
- Business Consulting
- Management Consulting
- Financial Consulting
- Marketing Services
- Digital Marketing
- Public Relations
- Human Resources Consulting
- Training and Development
Trading
- General Trading
- E-Commerce
- Specific Product Trading (e.g., Electronics Trading, Textile Trading)
- Wholesale and Distribution
Creative
- Graphic Design
- Video Production
- Photography
- Content Creation
- Social Media Management
- Event Management
Professional Services
- Accounting Services
- Legal Consulting
- Translation Services
- Real Estate Consulting
- Insurance Consulting
Activities That Require Additional Approvals Beyond Free Zone
- Financial services (money exchange, lending): Central Bank approval
- Insurance (underwriting): UAE Insurance Authority approval
- Healthcare (clinical): DHA / DOH approval
- Pharmacy: Ministry of Health approval
- School / university: KHDA / ADEK approval
- Media / broadcasting: NEMA approval
- Virtual assets / crypto: VARA (Dubai) or SCA approval