How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Consultancy Business in Dubai?

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 

Q1. How much does a consultancy business license cost in Dubai? 

From AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. No pre-approvals required for management consultancy, project management, feasibility, HR, or cost control codes. Use the cost calculator for a fully itemised estimate. 

Q2. What is the most flexible consultancy code at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

Management Consultancies (7020.00) is the broadest single consultancy code, covering strategy, operations, organisational design, and performance advisory across all industry sectors. It is the most versatile starting point for a general management consulting practice. 

Q3. Can I prepare feasibility studies for clients? 

Yes. Feasibility Studies Consultancies (7020.68) covers the preparation of commercial viability assessments for new businesses, investments, and development projects. This is one of the most consistently demanded consultancy services in the UAE market, particularly from investors, developers, and entrepreneurs evaluating new commercial opportunities. 

Q4. Can I provide HR advisory alongside management consultancy? 

Yes. Human Resources Consultancies (7490.14) and Management Consultancies (7020.00) can be combined on a single Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license, covering both general management advisory and specialist HR strategy work under one entity. 

Q5. Can a foreigner own 100% of a consultancy in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership of all consultancy businesses. No local sponsor or UAE national partner is required. International consultants and advisory firms can establish a fully foreign-owned UAE entity with complete commercial independence. 

Q6. Can I serve international clients from a Dubai consultancy? 

Yes. Free zone companies can invoice clients anywhere in the world without restriction. Many Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone based consultants serve UAE and GCC clients as their primary market while also managing international engagements across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The UAE's UTC+4 time zone, combined with zero personal income tax, makes Dubai a commercially attractive base for internationally active consultants managing cross-regional client portfolios. 

Q7. Do I need a physical office for a consultancy license? 

Not mandatory. A Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone flexi-desk provides a professional UAE business address for licensing and banking. Most consultants meet clients at their offices or preferred meeting venues rather than maintaining a permanent private office in the early stages of their UAE practice. Private office space can be added at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone as your team grows. 

Q8. Can I combine consultancy with training services? 

Yes. Training and professional development activities can be added alongside consultancy codes. If your consultancy also delivers workshops, training programmes, or professional certification courses, relevant training and education codes can be included on the same Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone DWC-LLC license, covering both the advisory and training delivery dimensions of your practice under one entity. 

Q9. How long does a consultancy license take? 

One business day for eligible applications. All management consultancy, project management, feasibility studies, project development, cost control, and HR consultancy codes carry no pre-approval requirements at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. The digital application requires only a passport copy. 

Q10. How do I start a consultancy business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

Browse the business activities list to confirm your codes, check your company name, and apply digitally with a passport copy. Eligible applications are licensed within one business day.