Activities Carried on by Agents and Agencies on Behalf of Individuals Usually Involving the Obtaining of Engagements in Motion Picture, Theatrical Production or Other Entertainment or Sports Attractions and the Placement of Books, Plays, Artworks, Photographs Etc., with Publishers, Producers Etc. Business License in Dubai
Topic Summary
What Activity Code 7490.13 Actually Covers
This license authorizes you to scout, place, and manage creative talent including models, actors, musicians, and influencers across the UAE and beyond. It also lets you book talent for shoots, live events, and brand campaigns while representing them in contract negotiations.
Key Business Perks of This License
Holding activity code 7490.13 gives your agency the legal standing to sign contracts, invoice clients, and open a UAE business bank account. It also signals regulatory compliance to high-value clients and talent, which matters when closing major deals.
Free Zone vs. Mainland: Choose the Right Setup
A Dubai South free zone license suits agencies targeting international or GCC clients and offers flexi-desk options with setup in as few as three working days. A mainland DET license is better if you plan to work directly with UAE-based brands and event companies.
Activities This License Does Not Permit
The 7490.13 license does not cover general recruitment, healthcare staffing, financial advice, or any roles requiring a separate MOHRE permit. Mixing non-permitted activities under this license is a common compliance mistake that can cause problems at renewal.
Foreign Ownership and Visa Eligibility
Founders can hold 100% foreign ownership when setting up under the Dubai South free zone, with mainland setups also allowing up to 100% for most activities. The license also comes with visa eligibility tied directly to your business registration.
Dubai's Creative Economy Makes This License Valuable
The UAE talent industry spans film, fashion, advertising, live events, and digital content, with brands, media firms, and event organizers all relying on agencies to fill their rosters. A licensed agency sits at the center of this demand, earning fees by connecting creative supply with commercial demand.
Build a Regional Agency From Day One
The 7490.13 license does not restrict you to the UAE market, allowing DSBH-based agencies to manage talent rosters across the GCC, Europe, and Asia. This makes it a strong foundation for founders with international growth ambitions from the start.
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H1 (for the CMS title field, do not paste into the body): Talent Agency Business License in Dubai | Activity 7490.13
Key Facts at a Glance
Dubai's entertainment and media scene is growing fast. A talent agency license under activity code 7490.13 lets you legally connect clients with artists, models, performers, and creative pros across the UAE. Dubai South Business Hub makes it simple to get started, whether you choose a free zone or mainland setup.
Activity code | 7490.13 |
|---|---|
License type | Professional services |
Foreign ownership | 100% in the free zone |
Visa eligibility | Yes – tied to your license |
Free zone regulator | Dubai South |
Mainland regulator | Dubai DET |
What This License Covers
Activity code 7490.13 covers talent agency work. You can scout, place, and manage creative talent for clients across the UAE and beyond. Your clients will include brands, media firms, event companies, and ad agencies.
The talent industry in Dubai is not a niche market. It sits at the centre of a fast-moving creative economy that spans film, fashion, advertising, live events, and digital content. Brands spend heavily on campaigns that need models, actors, and influencers. Event organisers book performers for conferences, festivals, and corporate shows. Media companies need a steady pipeline of on-screen talent. A licensed talent agency sits in the middle of all of this, connecting supply with demand and taking a fee for doing so.
Running this kind of business without the right license exposes you to legal risk. Activity code 7490.13 gives you the legal standing to sign contracts, invoice clients, open a business bank account, and hire staff. It also signals to clients and talent alike that your agency operates within the UAE's regulatory framework, which matters when you are negotiating high-value deals.
Permitted Activities
This license lets you do the following:
Scout and place models, actors, musicians, and influencers
Manage contracts between talent and their clients
Book talent for shoots, events, and live shows
Represent creative pros in talks with brands and agencies
You can work with local and foreign talent. You can also serve clients based outside the UAE. Many DSBH-licensed agencies use their free zone base to manage talent rosters that span the GCC, Europe, and Asia. The license does not restrict you to the UAE market alone, which makes it a strong choice for founders who want to build a regional or international agency from day one.
What It Does Not Cover
This license has clear limits. It does not cover:
General recruitment or labour supply
Healthcare staffing or clinical roles
Financial advice or investment services
Any work that needs a separate MOHRE permit
If you want to place workers in non-creative roles, you need a different license. Check with your advisor before you start. Mixing permitted and non-permitted activities under a single license is a common mistake that can lead to compliance issues at renewal time. If your business model covers both creative talent and general staffing, you may need to hold two separate licenses or structure your company in a way that keeps the activities clearly separated.
Mainland vs Free Zone Setup
You have 2 main options. Each suits a different type of agency. The table below shows the key differences.
Factor | Mainland (DET) | Free zone (DSBH) |
|---|---|---|
Foreign ownership | Up to 100% for most activities | 100% |
Client access | Full UAE market | Mainly international clients |
Office need | Physical office required | Flexi-desk options available |
Regulator | Dubai DET | Dubai South |
Setup speed | 5 to 10 working days | 3 to 7 working days |
A mainland license suits agencies that want to work directly with UAE-based brands and event firms. A DSBH free zone license suits agencies that serve foreign clients or want a low-cost start.
The choice between mainland and free zone is not just about cost. It is about how you plan to grow. If most of your revenue will come from UAE-based clients who expect to deal with a mainland entity, the DET route makes sense even if the setup takes a few extra days. If you are building a cross-border agency that manages talent for clients in Europe, Asia, or the wider GCC, a free zone license gives you a cleaner structure and lower overheads in the early stages.
Some founders start in the free zone and add a mainland branch later once their client base grows. This is a common path for agencies that begin with international clients and then expand into the local UAE market. Your DSBH advisor can help you map out the right structure for your specific plans.
You can explore all DSBH business activities to see which license fits your plans. You can also check your business setup cost before you commit.
How to Get Your License
The process is simple. Most applicants finish in under a week. Here are the steps:
Step 1, book your trade name:Check your business name availability and reserve it on the DSBH portal.
Step 2, pick your activity: Confirm that code 7490.13 is listed on your application.
Step 3, send your papers: Upload the required documents to the portal.
Step 4, pay your fee: Pay the license fee online. You get a receipt right away.
Step 5, apply for your visa: Once your license is issued, start your UAE residency visa process.
Documents You Need
Have these ready before you apply:
Passport copy, valid for at least 6 months
Recent passport photo on a white background
Proof of address inside the UAE
A short business plan, if asked by the authority
Gathering your documents before you start the application saves time. The most common cause of delays is a missing or expired passport copy. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining at the point of application, not just at the point of submission. If you are applying as a company with multiple shareholders, each shareholder will need to provide their own passport copy and photo. Your DSBH advisor can give you a full checklist based on your specific structure before you begin.
Timeline and Costs
Setup at DSBH typically takes 3 to 7 working days. Delays happen when papers are missing or the trade name needs extra checks.
License fee | Varies by package – use the cost calculator for your figure |
|---|---|
Visa cost | Included in most DSBH packages |
Typical timeline | 3 to 7 working days |
Renewal | Annual |
For a full cost breakdown, use the DSBH cost calculator.
Rules You Must Follow
Once your license is live, you have ongoing duties. Missing any of them can lead to fines or license suspension.
Corporate tax
You must register with the Federal Tax Authority once your company exists. Your turnover does not change this duty. A free zone company may pay 0% corporate tax. You only get that rate if you meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions the FTA sets.
MOHRE rules
If you hire staff in the UAE, MOHRE rules apply. You must register each worker and follow the labour law. Check the latest rules at MOHRE before you hire.
Record keeping
Keep your books for 7 years. The FTA can ask to see them at any time.
Annual renewal
Your license must be renewed each year. Miss the deadline and you face a fine. Let it lapse too long and you may need to reapply from scratch.
Staying compliant is easier when you build good habits from the start. Set a calendar reminder at least 60 days before your renewal date so you have time to gather any updated documents and pay the renewal fee without rushing. If your business circumstances change during the year, for example if you add a new shareholder or change your registered address, notify DSBH promptly rather than waiting until renewal. Changes that are not reported on time can complicate the renewal process and sometimes attract additional fees.
For help with tax sign-up and ongoing duties, the DSBH business support team can guide you through each step.
Why Dubai for a Talent Agency
Dubai hosts some of the world's biggest events, shoots, and brand campaigns. Demand for models, actors, and influencers is high and growing. The city draws talent and clients from across the globe.
A free zone license gives you a fast, low-cost base. You keep full ownership of your agency. You can serve clients in the UAE and abroad from one hub.
Beyond the practical advantages, Dubai's position as a global city gives your agency credibility. Clients in Europe, Asia, and the Americas recognise Dubai as a serious business hub. Having a Dubai address on your contracts and invoices can open doors that a less established location might not. The city's infrastructure, from its airport connections to its digital ecosystem, also makes it easy to manage talent and clients across multiple time zones without the friction you might face in other markets.
Start Your Talent Agency at DSBH
Activity 7490.13 gives you a clear legal base to run a talent agency in Dubai. You can set up on the mainland or in a free zone. Dubai South Business Hub offers a simple path to your license, with visa packages and support built in.
Talk to a DSBH advisor to find the right setup for your agency. You can also start your business online today.
What is activity code 7490.13?
It is the code for talent agency work in Dubai. It covers scouting, booking, and managing creative talent such as models, actors, and musicians. You need this code on your license to run a talent agency legally.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a talent agency in Dubai?
Yes. If you set up in a free zone like DSBH, you keep full ownership. On the mainland, most professional service activities now allow 100% foreign ownership too. Check with your advisor for your specific case.
Does this license cover general recruitment?
No. Activity 7490.13 covers creative talent only. General recruitment or labour supply needs a different license. Some roles also need a separate MOHRE permit.
How long does setup take at DSBH?
Most applications finish in 3 to 7 working days. Delays can happen if papers are missing or the trade name needs extra checks. Having all your documents ready speeds things up.
Do I need an office to run a talent agency in the free zone?
No. DSBH offers flexi-desk options. You do not need a full physical office to get started. You can upgrade to a private office later as your agency grows.
Must I register for corporate tax?
Yes. You must register with the FTA once your company exists. A free zone company may qualify for a 0% rate. You only get that rate if you meet the conditions the FTA sets.
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HEADING OUTLINE
H2 Key Facts at a Glance
H2 What This License Covers
H3 Permitted Activities
H3 What It Does Not Cover
H2 Mainland vs Free Zone Setup
H2 How to Get Your License
H3 Documents You Need
H3 Timeline and Costs
H2 Rules You Must Follow
H2 Why Dubai for a Talent Agency
H2 Start Your Talent Agency at DSBH
H2 References
H2 Frequently Asked Questions
H3 What is activity code 7490.13?
H3 Can a foreigner own 100% of a talent agency in Dubai?
H3 Does this license cover general recruitment?
H3 How long does setup take at DSBH?
H3 Do I need an office to run a talent agency in the free zone?
H3 Must I register for corporate tax?
References
Frequently Asked Questions
