How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Consultancy Business in Dubai
Topic Summary
Starting Cost Is AED 12,500
A consultancy business license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points for professionals looking to establish a licensed UAE consultancy entity.
No Pre-Approval Required for Any Code
All consultancy activity codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone carry no third-party pre-approval requirements. Eligible applications can be fully licensed within a single business day.
Six Core Consultancy Activities Are Covered
The free zone licenses management advisory, project management, feasibility studies, project development, HR consultancy, and cost control services. Each activity has its own specific code, allowing consultants to select the scope that matches their practice.
Management Consultancy Is the Most Versatile Code
Code 7020.00 covers business strategy, organisational design, performance management, and corporate governance advisory. It is the broadest professional consultancy code available and carries no pre-approval or AML/DNFBP obligations.
Project Managers Get Their Own Dedicated License
Code 7020.13 is specifically designed for consultants who coordinate and deliver business projects, including ERP rollouts, transformation programmes, and development timelines. It covers programme management, risk management, and stakeholder coordination.
Feasibility and HR Consultants Are Equally Supported
Codes 7020.68 and 7020.83 cover commercial feasibility assessments and project development consulting, while 7490.14 covers human resources consultancy. All three codes are licensable without pre-approval, making setup straightforward for specialists in these fields.
Dubai's Market Creates Consistent Demand
Dubai's international business community and strong commercial ecosystem generate ongoing demand across management, strategy, HR, and finance advisory disciplines. The free zone structure gives consultants a cost-effective and fast route to serving that market legally.
A consultancy business license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500. Dubai's strong commercial ecosystem and international business community create consistent demand for management, strategy, feasibility, HR, and project advisory services.
Consultants from every discipline, from operational management and finance through HR strategy and cost control, find the UAE a commercially productive market. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides the fastest and most cost-effective path to a properly licensed UAE consultancy entity.
Consultancy at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone covers management advisory, project management, feasibility studies, project development, HR consultancy, and cost control services. All consultancy codes carry no pre-approval requirements and are licensable within one business day.
For a full overview of the digital setup process, read the online company registration in Dubai guide.
What This License Covers
Consultancy at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone covers management advisory, project management, feasibility studies, project development, HR consultancy, and cost control services.
All consultancy activity codes carry no third-party pre-approval requirements and can be licensed within one business day for eligible applications.
Moreover, business license pricing starts at AED 12,500. Use the cost calculator for a full estimate of business setup cost in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
Core Consultancy Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
7020.00 Management Consultancies
7020.13 Project Management Services
7020.68 Feasibility Studies Consultancies
7020.83 Project Development Consultant
7020.85 Cost Control and Risk Management Services
7490.14 Human Resources Consultancies
Management Consultancy License - 7020.00
Management Consultancies (7020.00) is the broadest professional consultancy code at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. It covers advisory on business strategy, operational improvement, organisational design, performance management, and corporate governance.
For consultants who advise senior leadership teams on how to improve commercial performance and organisational effectiveness, this is the foundational code. It carries no pre-approval requirement and is the most versatile consultancy code on the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone activity list.
A management consultant advising UAE family businesses on professionalising their operations as they scale, or a strategy consultant supporting international companies entering the UAE market with market entry advisory, competitive landscape analysis, and organisational setup guidance can easily be setup under this activity code.
Third-Party Approval: None. | AML / DNFBP: Exempt.
Project Management Services License - 7020.13
Project Management Services (7020.13) covers the professional coordination and delivery management of business projects. This includes programme management, project planning, stakeholder management, risk management, and delivery assurance across industries. Select this code if you wish to work as consultants managing specific business transformation projects or strategic initiatives.
A project management consultant hired by a UAE retailer to manage the rollout of a new ERP system, or by a property developer to manage the delivery timeline and stakeholder coordination of a mixed-use development project can all work under this license.
Third-Party Approval: None. | AML / DNFBP: Exempt.
Feasibility Studies and Project Development - 7020.68 / 7020.83
Feasibility Studies Consultancies (7020.68) covers the preparation of commercial feasibility assessments for new businesses, investments, and development projects. Project Development Consultant (7020.83) covers the advisory role in developing new projects from concept through to investable proposition. Both codes are relevant for consultants supporting investors, developers, and entrepreneurs in validating and structuring new commercial opportunities.
Third-Party Approval: None. | AML / DNFBP: Exempt.
Cost Control and Risk Management License - 7020.85
Cost Control and Risk Management Services (7020.85) covers professional advisory on cost optimisation, budget management, financial risk identification, and business risk mitigation. For consultants who specialise in improving financial efficiency and managing operational and commercial risks for client businesses, this code provides the precise regulatory basis.
Third-Party Approval: None. | AML / DNFBP: Exempt.
Human Resources Consultancies License - 7490.14
Human Resources Consultancies (7490.14) covers HR strategy advisory, talent management consulting, organisational design, compensation benchmarking, workforce planning, and HR policy development. The UAE's large and diverse workforce creates consistent demand for professional HR advisory across SMEs and enterprise clients who need strategic people management support.
Third-Party Approval: None. | AML / DNFBP: Exempt.
Why Founders Choose Dubai for Consultancy Businesses?
Dubai's position as the Middle East's regional business hub creates consistent demand for professional advisory and consultancy services. A growing SME sector, active family businesses, and international companies entering the UAE market all contribute to sustained demand for advisory support.
Zero personal income tax and full profit repatriation further strengthen Dubai's appeal for consultants and advisory firms.
Start Your Consultancy Business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
Select your business activities from the approved list, then use the name Check tool to confirm your company name is available and compliant. Once confirmed, use the Cost Calculator to estimate your setup costs and submit your application digitally with a passport copy.
All management consultancy, project management, feasibility, and HR consultancy codes carry no pre-approval requirements. Hence, eligible applications can be easily licensed within one business day. Moreover, Beyond Hub handles all post-licensing needs including banking assistance, VAT registration, and taxation.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership of consultancy businesses which can serve UAE, GCC, and international clients from one licensed entity with full profit repatriation.
Frequently Asked Questions
