What are the main trade licence types in the UAE?

UAE trade licences are generally grouped into a few main categories based on the nature of the activity. A commercial licence covers trading activities such as buying and selling goods, general trading, and retail. A professional licence covers services that rely on intellectual or specialised skills, such as consultancy, legal, accounting, IT, and similar professions. An industrial licence covers manufacturing, processing, and production activities. Some emirates and free zones also offer tourism, agricultural, or specialised licences for particular sectors. The licence type determines which activities you can legally perform, what approvals you may need, and sometimes the ownership structure available to you. Licences are issued by the emirate's economic department on the mainland, or by the relevant authority inside a free zone. Because activities are mapped to specific licence types and codes, confirm the correct category for your business with the licensing authority before applying. For help matching your activity to the right licence and any regulated-activity approvals, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.