How to Start an Immigration Consultancy Business in Dubai

An immigration consultancy business can be established at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone from AED 12,500, offering a structured entry into one of the UAE’s most consistently in-demand service sectors. The UAE processes millions of residency applications, work permits, and visa transactions annually. With over 88% of residents being expatriates, professional immigration advisory, document services, typing centres, and PRO support remain in steady demand. For consultants with deep knowledge of UAE visa categories and government procedures, this is a professionally rewarding and commercially active sector. 

Before applying, it is important to understand how immigration consultancy operates within the UAE regulatory framework. Advisory, document processing, and government transaction facilitation are the primary service types. Legal representation before immigration authorities is separate and requires a licensed law firm.  

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides the licensing framework for consultancy, document services, and PRO facilitation activities. All client-facing services are carried out independently by the licensed company. 

For a full walkthrough of the digital setup process at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, see the online company registration in Dubai guide. 

Get Your Immigration Consultancy License 

Professional licenses for immigration and document services at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone start at AED 12,500. Your total setup costs will depend on your specific visa requirements and workspace configuration. 

Before finalizing your application, we recommend using the name check tool to verify your company name meets UAE regulations and the Cost Calculator for a full itemised estimate. For personalized guidance on the licensing process, please contact our team. 

Key Business Activity Codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

• 7020.16   Public Relation Services 

• 7020.67   Public Relations Management 

• 7310.12   Public Relations Consultancy 

• 8219.01   Document Preparation 

• 8219.02   Document Editing or Proofreading 

• 8219.03   Typing, Word Processing, or Desktop Publishing 

• 8219.04   Secretarial Support Services 

• 8219.05   Transcription of Documents and Secretarial Services 

• 7490.01   Translation and Interpretation Activities 

• 7490.91   Translation, Editing and Proofreading Services 

• 8299.96   Document Verification Follow-Up Services 

• 8299.97   Documents and Data Verification Services 

• 7020.01   Marketing, Public Relations & Communication Consultancy 

  
  

Public Relation Services - 7020.16 / 7020.67 / 7310.12 

Public Relation Services (7020.16) and Public Relations Management (7020.67) cover Government Relations and PRO services in the UAE context. They authorize your firm to manage official transactions, liaise with government authorities, and handle document attestations on behalf of your corporate and individual clients. By including Public Relations Consultancy (7310.12), you add a strategic advisory dimension to your service offering. All three carry no pre-approval requirements. 

You could operate as a dedicated corporate PRO firm, managing the entire lifecycle of trade license renewals, visa applications, work permit submissions, attestation, and Emirates ID registrations for a portfolio of multinational companies. Your firm acts as the expert bridge between the client and the government, ensuring all administrative submissions are accurate and timely. Clients usually pay a monthly retainer to avoid managing these complex processes in-house. 

Third-Party Approval: None.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Document Services - 8219 Series 

Document Preparation (8219.01), Document Editing (8219.02), Typing and Word Processing (8219.03), Secretarial Support Services (8219.04), and Transcription of Documents (8219.05) cover the document support services that immigration and typing centre businesses provide. These activities allow you to format application forms, process typed submissions, and provide secretarial support. 

This license is ideal for high-volume typing centres processing visa applications, residency forms, attestation requests, and government submissions for individual and corporate clients, providing fast and accurate document processing as a standalone service or as part of a broader immigration consultancy. 

Third-Party Approval: None.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Translation Services - 7490.01 / 7490.91 

Translation and Interpretation Activities (7490.01) and Translation, Editing and Proofreading Services (7490.91) cover professional language services. Immigration processes in the UAE frequently require certified Arabic translations of foreign documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic qualifications, and legal papers. These activities support businesses offering multilingual documentation services required for immigration, legal, and administrative processes. 

Third-Party Approval: None for 7490.01 and 7490.91.   |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt.

Note: Legal Translation (7490.86) requires Ministry of Justice approval. 

Document Verification - 8299.96 / 8299.97 

Document Verification Follow-Up Services (8299.96) and Documents and Data Verification Services (8299.97) cover tracking, following up on document status with government authorities, and verifying document authenticity. These codes are particularly relevant for consultancies handling high volumes of applications and requiring structured follow-up processes.  

Third-Party Approval: None.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Setting Up at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone 

Our licensing process is built for efficiency, allowing you to transition from applicant to business owner in a fully digital process. We suggest all founders first consult the business activities list to confirm their activity selection. Since immigration and PRO codes carry no external pre-approval requirements, eligible applications are typically licensed within one business day. 

Once your license is issued, our Beyond Hub platform streamlines all your operational needs. From coordinating your UAE residence visas and Emirates ID to facilitating corporate bank account introductions, we ensure your firm is ready to receive clients without delay. This integrated approach allows you to focus on building your client relationships while we handle the administrative heavy lifting. 

Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor requirement, zero paid-up capital, zero personal income tax, and full profit repatriation. Located within a master-planned development with a more than 50,000 residential and business population, it provides a strong base for immigration consultancies serving both individual and corporate clients. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How much does an immigration consultancy license cost in Dubai? 

Business license pricing at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500. All immigration consultancy, document services, and PRO service codes carry no pre-approval requirements. Eligible applications are typically licensed within one business day. To see how your total first-year costs are impacted by your office and visa choices, use our Cost Calculator for an instant estimate. 

Q2. Do I need qualifications to set up an immigration consultancy? 

For management consultancy, document services, and PRO service codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, no specific professional qualification is required for licensing. While the license provides the legal right to operate, your success will depend on your technical knowledge of UAE residency protocols and government procedures. 

Q3. Can I process visa applications for clients? 

Yes. You are authorized to guide clients on visa and residency eligibility criteria, prepare their documentation, and manage government submissions as a Public Relations Officer (PRO) service. This facilitation is exactly what the vast majority of corporate and individual clients require to navigate the UAE's immigration landscape. In practice, clients pay for your knowledge of the process, your ability to prepare accurate documentation, and your relationships with government processing channels. Formal legal representation before immigration authorities as an accredited agent requires separate Ministry accreditation. 

Q4. Can I provide PRO services with this license? 

Absolutely. By including Public Relation Services (7020.16) and Public Relations Management (7020.67) on your license, you can operate as a professional government relations firm, managing attestations, license renewals, and official transactions for third-party businesses. 

Q5. Can a foreigner own an immigration consultancy in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership. You maintain total equity and operational control of your firm without the need for a local partner or sponsor. Many of the most successful immigration consultants in Dubai are themselves expatriates who built deep expertise navigating the UAE visa and residency system through their own experience. That firsthand knowledge is a commercial asset. 

Q6. Can I offer translation alongside immigration services? 

Yes. You can combine Translation (7490.01) and Document Services (8219 series) with your consultancy codes under a single DWC-LLC license, covering the full immigration support service spectrum under one license. 

Q7. How long does an immigration consultancy license take? 

Eligible digital applications for immigration consultancy codes are typically processed within 24 hours. You can verify your activity readiness by checking the business activities list before submitting your passport copy online. Don’t forget to verify your company name availability using our name check tool. The digital application requires only a passport copy. This makes immigration consultancy one of the fastest business types to establish at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

Q8. Do I need a physical office for an immigration consultancy? 

Not mandatory. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers flexi-desk options that provide a professional UAE business address to meet the legal requirement. For client-facing typing centre operations that receive walk-in clients, a dedicated workspace may be more appropriate. Different office and workspace options are available at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. Also, as your consultancy grows, you have the option to upgrade to a dedicated executive office space. 

Q9. Is VAT required for immigration consultancy services? 

Advisory and document services are subject to a 5% Value Added Tax once your annual taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 including services such as Immigration advisory, PRO services, document processing, and translation services. Once you exceed the registration threshold, FTA registration becomes mandatory and you must issue VAT-inclusive invoices to UAE-based clients. Beyond Hub handles FTA registration and ongoing VAT compliance setup post-licensing as part of the standard onboarding process. 

Q10. How do I start an immigration consultancy at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone? 

When registering a business in Dubai, your company name must be unique and approved by UAE authorities. Using the name check tool helps you verify availability instantly and ensures full trade license compliance. Once you have reviewed your costs in the Cost Calculator, you can select your codes from the list of business activities and submit your application entirely online with a passport copy. Eligible applications are licensed in as little as one business day.