Apply for a Feasibility Studies Consultancies Business License in Dubai
As Dubai accelerates its economic diversification agenda under the D33 plan, demand for rigorous feasibility analysis has never been stronger across real estate, logistics, energy, and technology sectors. Obtaining a Feasibility Studies Consultancies Business License (Activity Code 7020.68) at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone gives consultants a professional, 100% foreign-owned platform to serve one of the world's fastest-growing advisory markets.
Key Stats at a Glance
Activity Code: 7020.68 | Category: Professional | License Type: Business License
UAE GDP: approximately AED 1.6 trillion in 2023, with non-oil sectors exceeding 70% of output
Dubai South footprint: 145 square kilometres, master-planned around Al Maktoum International Airport
D33 target: double Dubai's GDP by 2033
Indicative first-year cost: AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 (excluding visa fees)
Typical license issuance timeline: 7 to 15 working days
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted within the free zone
What the License Covers and Who It Suits
Activity Code 7020.68 under the Professional category authorises firms to conduct economic, financial, technical, and market feasibility studies for third-party clients. The scope is broad and commercially flexible, covering pre-investment analysis, project viability assessments, risk modelling, and sector-specific consultancy reports that inform capital allocation decisions for businesses, developers, and government entities.
The license is well suited to independent consultants, boutique advisory firms, engineering practices diversifying into project appraisal, and multinational advisory groups seeking a compliant UAE base. Dubai South's proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City makes the location particularly advantageous for consultants specialising in logistics, aviation, and large-scale infrastructure feasibility work, where client proximity to major project sites translates directly into competitive advantage.
Dubai and Dubai South: Market Context
The UAE's GDP reached approximately AED 1.6 trillion in 2023, with non-oil sectors driving over 70% of total economic output. This structural shift creates sustained demand for bankable feasibility reports as developers, investors, and government agencies seek independent validation before committing capital to new projects.
Dubai South spans 145 square kilometres and is master-planned around what is designated to become the world's largest airport, generating a continuous pipeline of infrastructure and commercial projects that require credible feasibility input. The D33 Economic Agenda targets doubling Dubai's GDP by 2033, underpinning long-term and structural consultancy demand across virtually every sector of the economy.
Free zone status at Dubai South enables 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and full profit repatriation, making it one of the most commercially attractive jurisdictions in the region for professional services firms.
License Requirements and Compliance
The Feasibility Studies Consultancies license is classified as a Business License under the Professional category. No special external government approvals are required for Activity Code 7020.68, which simplifies and accelerates the setup process considerably compared with regulated financial or healthcare activities.
Applicants must hold or appoint a qualified professional with relevant academic credentials in economics, finance, engineering, or a closely related discipline. Standard documentation includes passport copies, a detailed business plan, proof of professional qualifications, and a No Objection Certificate where the applicant currently holds a UAE residence visa under another sponsor.
Annual license renewal is mandatory. Firms must maintain a registered address or flexi-desk arrangement within Dubai South throughout the license period to remain in good standing with the free zone authority.
Setup Steps and Indicative Costs
The process for establishing a Feasibility Studies Consultancies firm at Dubai South Business Hub is structured and straightforward:
Step 1: Reserve a trade name and submit the initial application through the Dubai South Business Hub portal, confirming the intended business activity and shareholder structure.
Step 2: Submit shareholder documents, professional qualification certificates, and a memorandum of association for multi-partner structures.
Step 3: Pay license and registration fees and receive initial approval, typically within three to five working days.
Step 4: Sign a flexi-desk or office lease agreement within Dubai South, then collect the issued business license.
Indicative first-year costs range from AED 15,000 to AED 25,000, covering license fees, registration charges, and a flexi-desk package. Visa costs are additional, at approximately AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 per visa depending on the type and processing route selected. The overall timeline from initial application to license issuance is generally seven to fifteen working days for straightforward professional license applications.
Why Dubai South Is a Strategic Base for Feasibility Consultants
Dubai South offers feasibility consultants access to a regional client base spanning the GCC, Africa, and South Asia, all reachable via Al Maktoum International Airport. The free zone hosts a growing cluster of aviation, logistics, e-commerce, and real estate developers, creating an on-site pipeline of potential clients who regularly commission feasibility studies as part of their project development cycles.
The free zone framework offers simplified corporate structuring, no currency restrictions, and an internationally recognised legal environment that instils confidence in overseas clients and joint venture partners. A growing ecosystem of professional services firms within Dubai South also supports collaboration and sub-contracting opportunities, enabling smaller consultancies to take on larger, multi-disciplinary mandates.
Related Activities
Media Studies & Consultancies Business License
Health Planning Consultancies Business License
Fine Arts Consultancies Business License
