IT Services License in Dubai & UAE: Cost & How to Get One (2026)
An IT services licence in the UAE lets you offer software development, IT consultancy and tech support legally. It starts from around AED 12,500 in a free zone such as IFZA or DMCC, gives 100% ownership, and can be issued within 3–7 working days.
Last updated: June 2026
Cost breakdown (2026)
| IT services licence from | AED 12,500 |
|---|---|
| With 1 visa from | AED 16,900 |
| Additional activities | From AED 500Per extra activity |
| Timeline | 3–7 working days |
According to Setup Business in UAE, a it services license in dubai & uae in the UAE starts from AED 12,500 (as of June 2026).
What you need
- Passport copy of shareholder(s)
- Chosen trade name (3 options)
- Selected IT / software activities
- Application form and passport-size photo
- Business plan for some banking partners
How to get your IT Services License in Dubai & UAE
- 1
Choose IT activities & zone
Select software, IT consultancy or support activities in a suitable free zone.
- 2
Reserve your trade name
Submit compliant name options for approval.
- 3
Submit documents & pay
Provide passport copies and the application, then pay the package fee.
- 4
Receive your licence
Your IT services licence is issued digitally.
- 5
Bank account & visas
Open a corporate account and apply for residence visas as needed.
Costs beyond the licence
IT services carry famously light overheads, which is exactly why the remaining costs deserve attention: development tooling and cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure bills scale with clients, but budget AED 500–2,000 monthly early on), cyber liability insurance that enterprise clients increasingly mandate (from AED 2,500 a year), and software escrow or code-ownership clauses reviewed by a lawyer for bigger contracts.
Hiring is the real cost curve: each developer visa adds ~AED 3,500 plus health insurance from AED 3,000 per person — a five-person team means AED 30,000+ in annual people-adjacent costs before salaries.
Free zone or mainland for IT services?
Free zone, almost always: software delivery is borderless, clients contract with any entity, and zones like IFZA, Meydan and DMCC host thousands of dev shops. Consider mainland only for on-site government IT contracts — federal and emirate procurement often requires mainland registration, and some enterprise tenders score local presence. Dubai Internet City sits between: a tech-branded free zone worth its premium when you sell to the ecosystem inside it.
Common mistakes with IT services licences
Scope drift is the licence-killer: "IT services" covering development quietly expands into selling hardware (a trading activity) or IT recruitment (a different professional activity) — each needs its own listing. Agencies also sign enterprise MSAs with liability clauses their insurance doesn't cover. And founders billing through personal PayPal or foreign entities "until the company is ready" create exactly the money trail banks later refuse to explain away.
Recommended free zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an IT services licence in Dubai?+
An IT services licence starts from around AED 12,500 in a free zone, or about AED 16,900 including one residence visa. Costs vary with activities, visas and office needs.
Which free zone is best for IT and software?+
IFZA, DMCC and SHAMS are popular for IT and software thanks to tech-friendly activity lists, 100% ownership and fast digital setup.
Can I combine IT services with e-commerce?+
Yes. Many free zones let you add compatible activities such as software development, IT consultancy and online sales under one licence for an extra fee.
Do I need a physical office for an IT licence?+
No. Most IT services licences can be issued with a flexi-desk, though a larger visa quota or certain activities may require a dedicated office.