Dubai runs on projects. Across construction, infrastructure, technology, events, and government programmes, the emirate has one of the highest concentrations of active capital projects per square kilometre in the world. For project management professionals and consultancy firms looking to serve this market, establishing a licensed entity in Dubai is less a question of whether to formalise and more a question of how to structure it most efficiently. This guide covers the activity codes, license costs, and setup process for a project management consultancy at Dubai South. 

What Does a Project Management Consultancy License Cover? 

A project management consultancy license authorises your business to provide professional advisory, planning, coordination, and management services across project lifecycles for clients in construction, technology, infrastructure, real estate, and corporate sectors. This includes project planning and scheduling, risk management, programme management, stakeholder coordination, and project governance advisory. For related consultancy structures, the consultancy hub page covers how professional service licenses are built at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

Project Management Consultancy License Requirements 

Project management consultancy at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone operates under a standard professional license with no third-party pre-approval required for most consultancy activities. Documentation requirements are straightforward: a passport copy for all shareholders, proof of residential address, and a proposed company name. No prior UAE residency or local sponsorship is required. 

Relevant Project Management Activity Codes 

Activity codes for project management consultancy businesses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone: 

• 7020.13, Project Management Services 

• 7020.83, Project Development Consultant 

• 7020.04, Advice and Help to Businesses and Public Services in Planning, Organisation, Efficiency and Control 

• 7020.68, Feasibility Studies Consultancies 

• 7020.85, Cost Control and Risk Management Services 

• 7110.57, Projects Management Engineering and Technical Feasibility Studies Services 

• 7020.00, Management Consultancies 

Browse the full professional activity list on the business activities page. 

Cost of a Project Management Consultancy License 

A consultancy license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year. The first five activity codes are included. To generate a full itemised breakdown of your setup costs covering your selected codes and visa requirements, use the cost calculator. 

Setting Up Your Project Management Consultancy

Verify your company name on the name check tool, then complete the fully digital application. Your license is typically issued within one business day. As a free zone company, you benefit from 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax on your consultancy income, and the ability to repatriate your full earnings without restriction. No UAE national sponsor or partner is required. For consultants who operate globally and manage projects remotely, the remote license structure at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides a particularly well-suited base. 

Why Dubai for Project Management? 

Dubai's project pipeline is one of the deepest in the world. The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, ongoing infrastructure programmes across transport, healthcare, and education, and the continued development of Dubai South itself all generate sustained demand for qualified project management professionals and firms. Combined with the UAE's position as a regional hub for multinational corporate programmes across the GCC, East Africa, and South Asia, a Dubai-based consultancy has genuine access to a large addressable market. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What license do I need for a project management consultancy in Dubai? 

You need a professional consultancy license with relevant project management activity codes at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

Does a project management consultancy need any special approvals in Dubai? 

Most project management consultancy activities at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone carry no third-party pre-approval requirement. Certain engineering-related project management activities may require additional professional certifications depending on scope. 

Can a foreigner own 100% of a project management consultancy in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits full foreign ownership with no UAE national partner required. 

What is the minimum cost for a project management consultancy license? 

A consultancy license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year. 

Can a free zone project management company work on UAE mainland projects? 

Yes. Free zone consultancies can provide project management services to mainland UAE clients and government entities without restriction. 

Can I combine project management with engineering consultancy under one license? 

Yes. Multiple consultancy activity codes covering project management and engineering disciplines can be combined under one license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. 

How long does it take to get a project management consultancy license in Dubai? 

For activities with no pre-approval requirement, the license is issued within one business day of document submission and payment. 

Is VAT applicable to project management consultancy services in the UAE? 

Consultancy services provided within the UAE are generally subject to 5% VAT. Services exported to non-UAE clients may be zero-rated. Confirm your VAT position with a qualified adviser. 

Can I run a project management consultancy remotely from Dubai? 

Yes. A flexi-desk setup at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides a registered business address and UAE investor visa eligibility without requiring a physical office, making it well suited to remote project management operations. 

What professional qualifications are recognised for project managers in Dubai? 

PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA, and MSP are among the most widely recognised project management qualifications in the UAE market. No specific qualification is required for free zone license registration, though professional certifications significantly strengthen your commercial standing.