Professional · UAE business activity
Business activity
Information Technology Consultancy
Information Technology Consultancy is a professional business activity used when setting up a company in Dubai / UAE mainland and free zone. Advisory IT consultancy services for businesses.
- Professional
- Mainland ✓
- Free Zone ✓
- Approvals: Not typically required
Activity code
Confirm with advisor
License type
Professional
Source / context
DET Dubai / Mainland (general)
External approvals
Not typically required
Key facts
Quick reference for company formation in Dubai and the wider UAE. Exact licensing still depends on the authority and your operating model.
- Activity name
- Information Technology Consultancy
- Category
- Professional
- Licence type
- Professional
- Activity code
- Confirm with an EmirHub advisor
- Mainland
- Typically available
- Free zone
- Typically available
- External approvals
- Not typically required
- Source context
- DET Dubai / Mainland (general)
How this activity fits a Dubai company setup
IT consultancy is an advisory activity: helping clients with systems, technology choices and digital transformation. It is not a catch-all IT company licence and not EmirHub’s company-formation service page. Use this page to confirm the activity wording matches what you will sell.
If you also build software, publish a SaaS product or sell hardware, those usually need different or additional activities. Write down advisory versus delivery work before you lock the licence list.
Mainland and free zone can both fit IT consultancy depending on clients, contracting and visa needs. For the full setup journey - licence family, jurisdiction and visas - use the IT consultancy business setup scenario rather than treating this activity page as a formation guide.
Related pages
Useful next steps while you confirm this activity and plan company setup in Dubai.
What this activity typically allows
- IT consultancy and advisory services
- Systems and digital transformation advisory within licensed scope
What it usually does not cover
- Software publishing/SaaS product models that need different activities
- Hardware trading without trading activities
- Software development delivery that belongs on a development activity
Mainland and free zone in the UAE
Mainland availability: Yes. Free zone availability: Yes. The better jurisdiction still depends on where you will operate, who your customers are, and your visa or office needs. EmirHub maps this to Dubai mainland, free zone, or another UAE option before you commit.
Typical businesses using this activity
- IT consultants
- Systems advisors
- Digital transformation advisors
How people describe this work
These phrases often map to this activity when founders describe what they want to do. They are search cues, not extra legal permissions.
Combining with other activities
Founders often mix advisory IT with software development or hardware trading. Those are separate scopes - confirm combination rules before filing one licence list.
Things to consider before choosing it
Choosing the right activity matters. Your activity can affect the licence type, required approvals, permitted business operations and available setup options. Activity names and codes can also differ by licensing authority or free zone, so treat this page as practical guidance. EmirHub confirms the exact fit for your case in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
What does the IT consultancy activity typically allow?
It generally covers the core services or trading scope described for this activity under a professional licence. Exact permitted operations depend on the licensing authority and any external approvals on your file.
Do I need mainland or free zone for IT consultancy?
Both can work depending on where you will operate, who your customers are, and visa or office needs. EmirHub maps your idea to a realistic jurisdiction before you commit.
Is IT consultancy the same as software development?
No. IT consultancy is advisory. Software design and development is a separate activity for building systems and apps. Many founders need one or both depending on what they deliver.
Can I run an IT consultancy from a free zone?
Often yes when the free zone activity list covers your advisory scope and your customers fit that path. Confirm the catalogue and mainland-access implications before choosing a package.
Where do I find the full IT consultancy setup path?
This page defines the activity. Use EmirHub’s IT consultancy business setup scenario for the journey across licence, jurisdiction, office and visas.
Information last updated: 2026-09-11
Connected setup choices
Jurisdiction
- Dubai MainlandDubai mainland reference guide: DET-linked licensing paths, licence families, office and visa rules, and when mainland registration fits your operating model.
- IFZAIFZA free zone Dubai guide for founders comparing flexible office packages, activity fit, ownership and visa planning before free zone company setup.
- DMCCDMCC free zone Dubai guide for trading-oriented and ecosystem-led setups, covering activity fit, office expectations, ownership and visa planning.
- Meydan Free ZoneMeydan Free Zone Dubai guide for service and entrepreneurial setups comparing packages, activity fit, office flexibility and visa planning.
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