Dubai's property market is one of the most dynamic in the world, consistently ranking among global leaders for investment volumes, price appreciation, and international buyer interest. Real estate professionals, analysts, market advisors, and property strategists find consistent commercial demand from investors, developers, and high-net-worth buyers seeking expert guidance in a complex and fast-moving market.   

A real estate consultancy business at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts from AED 12,500, with additional costs for RERA pre-approval. Real estate consultancy at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is governed by RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency), which requires pre-approval before any real estate consultancy license is issued. This applies to consultancy, valuation, mortgage advisory, and brokerage activities. RERA pre-approval is a quality assurance process ensuring that practitioners meet Dubai's professional standards for real estate advisory.   

However, the base license cost is only one part of the overall setup. As your business grows, the need to add visas for employees, partners, or support staff becomes a key cost factor. Understanding how visa allocation impacts your total cost is essential when planning your business structure. 

For a full overview of business setup costs, read the cost of starting a business in Dubai guide. 

How Visa Allocation Affects Your Total Setup  

Each visa added to your real estate consultancy license increases your total setup cost. This includes visa eligibility under your license, Emirates ID processing, medical fitness test, VAT registration and visa stamping, and related government charges. 

The number of visas you can apply for depends on your license structure and workspace allocation. For businesses planning to hire advisors, administrative staff, or sales teams, visa planning should be considered early rather than an afterthought. 

The cost of adding visas is not fixed and depends on how your business is structured. 

Key factors include: 

• Number of visas required  

• Type of license and activity  

• Flexi-desk or workspace allocation  

• Additional services such as medical and Emirates ID processing  

Because these variables change from one business to another, the total cost varies accordingly. To understand how additional visas affect your total investment, you can use the cost calculator to generate a detailed estimate based on your requirements. 

So, setting up a real estate consultancy in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 plus RERA fees. Use the cost calculator to get an itemised breakdown of business license.  

Key Real Estate Consultancy Activity Codes 

• 6820.93   Real Estate Consultancies (RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency) pre-approval required) 

• 6820.94   Real Estate Valuation Services (RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency) pre-approval required) 

• 6619.94   Real Estate Mortgage Consultancy (RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency) pre-approval required) 

• 6619.96   Real Estate Mortgage Broker (RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency) pre-approval required) 

• 8230.97   Real Estate Exhibition Organizing (RERA (Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency) pre-approval required) 

  
  

Real Estate Consultancies License - 6820.93 

Real Estate Consultancies (6820.93) is the primary code for property advisory businesses. It covers market research, investment analysis, property due diligence, development advisory, and real estate strategy consulting. This code gives your business the regulatory basis to advise investors, developers, and property buyers on all aspects of real estate decision-making in Dubai. RERA pre-approval is required. 

You could be a real estate investment advisor helping international investors assess Dubai property market opportunities, or a property strategy consultant advising a GCC family office on portfolio diversification into UAE residential and commercial assets. 

Third-Party Approval: RERA PRE.  |  AML / DNFBP: May attract DNFBP obligations. Seek compliance guidance. 

Real Estate Valuation License - 6820.94 

Real Estate Valuation Services (6820.94) covers the professional assessment of property values for investment decisions, mortgage lending, legal proceedings, and transactional purposes. Valuers provide independent, evidence-based assessments of market value for residential and commercial properties. RERA pre-approval and relevant professional qualifications are required. 

Third-Party Approval: RERA PRE.  |  AML / DNFBP: Seek compliance guidance. 

Mortgage Consultancy and Brokerage - 6619.94 / 6619.96 

Real Estate Mortgage Consultancy (6619.94) covers advice to property buyers on financing options, mortgage products, and lending structures. Real Estate Mortgage Broker (6619.96) covers the active placement of mortgage applications with UAE lenders on behalf of property buyers. Both require RERA pre-approval. Mortgage advisory is an increasingly active service category as Dubai's residential owner-occupier market grows. 

Third-Party Approval: RERA PRE for both.  |  AML / DNFBP: Seek compliance guidance. 

Real Estate Exhibition Organising License - 8230.97 

Real Estate Exhibition Organizing (8230.97) covers the organisation of property exhibitions, investment roadshows, and developer showcase events. This code is relevant for real estate consultancies that also organise investor events, property investment conferences, and developer exhibitions as a commercial service. RERA pre-approval is required. 

Third-Party Approval: RERA PRE.  |  AML / DNFBP: Exempt. 

Why Dubai for Real Estate Consultancy? 

Dubai consistently ranks among the world's top destinations for real estate investment, attracting capital from over 180 nationalities. The city's transparent transaction infrastructure, RERA-regulated market, and strong rental yield profile appeal to both private investors and institutional buyers.  

Real estate consultancies serving Dubai operate in a market with significant transaction volumes, consistent demand for investment advisory, and a client base that extends globally. The combination of market dynamism and RERA's professional framework makes Dubai one of the most commercially rewarding real estate advisory markets in the region. 

How to Get Your Real Estate Consultancy License? 

The process begins with selecting your business activities and confirming your company name using our name check tool, which ensures your real estate consultancy trade name is available and compliant with UAE regulations. All real estate consultancy codes require RERA pre-approval. 

From there, your application moves into the RERA approval stage, where documentation is reviewed in line with regulatory requirements. Beyond Hub guides you through the RERA process as part of the business license application. Once approvals are secured, the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license is issued promptly. 

This structured approach ensures that compliance is addressed upfront, allowing real estate consultancies to operate with clarity from day one. 

Managing Visa Applications After Licensing 

Once your license is issued, visa processing becomes part of your operational setup. Through Beyond Hub, Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone supports businesses with visa applications, Emirates ID processing, and related administrative steps. Real estate consultancy businesses should also account for AML obligations under the DNFBP framework. These requirements apply to certain advisory and transaction-related activities and may include due diligence and reporting standards. 

This allows you to manage both licensing and workforce setup within a single system, without coordinating across multiple providers. 

Setup for a real estate consultancy firm begins at AED 12,500, offering 100% foreign ownership and zero personal income tax. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

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

A real estate consultancy license starts at AED 12,500 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone plus RERA pre-approval fees. The cost varies depending on visa type, duration, and associated services such as medical tests and Emirates ID. You can use the cost calculator to estimate the total based on your requirements.  

Q2. What is RERA and why is pre-approval required? 

RERA is the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the government body responsible for regulating the real estate sector in Dubai. All real estate consultancy, brokerage, valuation, and mortgage advisory activities require RERA pre-approval before a license is issued, ensuring practitioners meet Dubai's professional competency standards.

Q3. Can I advise international investors from a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone real estate consultancy? 

Yes. Real Estate Consultancies (6820.93) covers investment advisory for international and local clients. Many Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone real estate consultancies easily serve international investors from Europe, South Asia, and East Asia who are evaluating Dubai property market opportunities. Free zone entities can invoice international clients without restriction, with full profit repatriation available. 

Q4. Can a foreigner own a real estate consultancy in Dubai? 

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership of real estate consultancy businesses subject to RERA pre-approval. No local sponsor or UAE national partner is required. International real estate professionals can establish a fully foreign-owned UAE consultancy entity. 

Q5. Do I need professional qualifications for real estate consultancy? 

RERA may require relevant professional qualifications, relevant work experience, or a certified real estate practitioner credential as part of the pre-approval process for real estate consultancy, brokerage, or valuation codes. The specific requirements depend on the activity code and the scope of services you intend to provide. Beyond Hub guides applicants through RERA's qualification and documentation requirements during the application process.

Q6. Can I combine real estate consultancy with mortgage advisory? 

Yes. Real Estate Consultancies (6820.93) and Real Estate Mortgage Consultancy (6619.94) can be combined on one Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license with RERA approval, allowing you to provide both property advisory and financing guidance to clients from one entity. 

Q7. Can I organise property investment events with a Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license? 

Yes. Real Estate Exhibition Organizing (8230.97) covers property investor events, developer roadshows, and investment showcase exhibitions. This code requires RERA pre-approval and can be held alongside consultancy and advisory codes on the same Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license, allowing your real estate consultancy to also generate revenue from organising investor-facing events and developer marketing activities. 

Q8. Is real estate consultancy subject to UAE AML rules? 

Real estate is a designated sector under UAE AML regulations (DNFBP framework). Real estate consultancies may have customer due diligence, record-keeping, and transaction reporting obligations. Seek dedicated AML compliance advice for your specific real estate business model. 

Q9. How long does a real estate consultancy license take? 

RERA pre-approval processing time determines the overall licensing timeline for real estate consultancy codes. Once RERA approval is confirmed in writing, the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license is issued within one business day. Beyond Hub assists with RERA documentation preparation, submission, and follow-up as an integrated part of the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone application process. 

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

Contact our team for guidance on the RERA pre-approval process and a full cost breakdown for your specific activity combination. Once RERA approval is confirmed, the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license is issued promptly and Beyond Hub manages all post-licensing steps.