DED Activity List Dubai 2026: 2,000+ Activities Explained (+ How to Search)
If you’re setting up a business in Dubai, choosing the right DED activity is the most important decision you’ll make before applying for your license. The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) — rebranded as the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in 2021 — maintains a list of over 2,000 approved business activities for mainland Dubai companies. Pick the wrong one, and you risk operating outside your license scope, which carries fines and potential license cancellation.
This guide covers the complete DED activity list in Dubai, how to search it, the top activities by category with codes, and what to do if you need to add or change activities. Noble Core Ventures helps hundreds of businesses navigate this process every year — here’s everything you need to know in 2026.
What is DED / DET? The 2021 Rebrand Explained
Many business owners still search for “DED Dubai” — and that’s completely fine. In 2021, the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) was merged with Dubai Tourism and renamed the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The functions remain identical: issuing trade licenses, approving business activities, and regulating commercial operations on Dubai’s mainland.
Key points on the rebrand:
- DED = DET — same authority, new name
- The official portal is now investindubai.gov.ae
- Existing licenses issued under “DED” remain valid — no need to update branding on your license
- All activity codes and license types remain unchanged
The 4 Dubai License Types (and Which Activities They Cover)
Every DED activity in Dubai falls under one of four license categories. Your business activities must match your license type — you cannot mix incompatible activities on a single license without approval.
| License Type | What It Covers | Examples | Approx. Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Trading, buying, selling goods | General trading, retail, import/export | 8,000–15,000 |
| Professional | Services, skills, consultancy | Management consulting, IT services, marketing, legal | 6,000–12,000 |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, production, processing | Food production, garment manufacturing, printing | 10,000–25,000+ |
| Tourism | Hospitality, travel, entertainment | Travel agencies, hotels, tour operators | 10,000–20,000 |
Important: Professional licenses with 100% foreign ownership are available for most service-based activities. Commercial licenses now also permit 100% foreign ownership for most activities under the updated UAE Commercial Companies Law (2021).
How to Search DED Activities on the Invest in Dubai Portal
The official DET activity search tool is available at investindubai.gov.ae. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Go to investindubai.gov.ae → Setting Up → Business Activities
- Search by keyword — enter a plain English description of what you do (e.g., “coffee shop”, “software development”, “real estate”)
- Review the results — each activity shows its official name, activity code, and license type
- Check for extra approvals — some activities (medical, food, education, financial) require additional regulatory approvals before DET will issue the license
- Add multiple activities — you can add up to 10 activities on one license (additional activities = additional fees, typically AED 100–500 per activity)
Pro tip: If you can’t find your exact activity, search for a broader category first, then narrow down. A Noble Core consultant can identify the closest matching activity code and check for any hidden approval requirements — saving weeks of back-and-forth with DET.
Most Popular DED Activities by Category (with Activity Codes)
Below is a curated table of the top 50 most commonly registered DED activities in Dubai, organized by category. This is the reference competitors don’t provide.
Commercial Activities
| Activity Name | Activity Code | License Type | Extra Approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trading | 611100 | Commercial | No |
| Trading in Foodstuffs | 521110 | Commercial | Dubai Municipality |
| Import and Export | 514900 | Commercial | No |
| Trading in Building Materials | 515300 | Commercial | No |
| Trading in Clothing & Textiles | 521420 | Commercial | No |
| Motor Vehicles Trading | 501010 | Commercial | RTA |
| Trading in Electronics & Electrical Equipment | 523040 | Commercial | No |
| Trading in Cosmetics & Personal Care | 521850 | Commercial | Dubai Municipality (FIRS) |
| Real Estate Brokerage | 702010 | Commercial | RERA |
| Jewellery & Precious Metals Trading | 523020 | Commercial | Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group |
Professional Activities
| Activity Name | Activity Code | License Type | Extra Approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Consulting | 741200 | Professional | No |
| Information Technology Services | 726000 | Professional | No |
| Accounting & Auditing | 742000 | Professional | UAECA |
| Marketing & Advertising Services | 744000 | Professional | National Media Council |
| Human Resources Consulting | 749200 | Professional | No |
| Interior Design | 742310 | Professional | No |
| Photography & Videography Services | 922000 | Professional | National Media Council |
| Recruitment & Employment Agency | 748500 | Professional | MOHRE |
| Legal Consultancy | 731000 | Professional | Ministry of Justice |
| Event Management | 921100 | Professional | No |
Industrial Activities
| Activity Name | Activity Code | License Type | Extra Approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage Manufacturing | 158000 | Industrial | Dubai Municipality |
| Garment & Textile Manufacturing | 181000 | Industrial | No |
| Printing & Publishing | 221000 | Industrial | National Media Council |
| Furniture Manufacturing | 361000 | Industrial | No |
| Plastic Products Manufacturing | 252000 | Industrial | No |
Tourism Activities
| Activity Name | Activity Code | License Type | Extra Approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Agency | 633010 | Tourism | Dubai Tourism (DET) |
| Tour Operator | 633020 | Tourism | Dubai Tourism (DET) |
| Hotel Apartment Management | 551020 | Tourism | Dubai Tourism (DET) |
| Restaurant & Café (with delivery) | 553000 | Tourism | Dubai Municipality + DET |
| Fitness Centre / Gym | 926010 | Tourism | Dubai Sports Council |
Activities Requiring Extra Government Approvals
Certain DED activities require pre-approval from additional regulatory bodies before DET will issue the license. This is one of the biggest delays in the setup process — and one of the most under-documented areas. Here’s what to expect:
| Activity Category | Approval Required From | Typical Timeline | Est. Additional Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare / Medical Clinics | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | 4–8 weeks | 15,000–50,000+ |
| Education / Training Centres | KHDA (Knowledge & Human Dev Authority) | 6–12 weeks | 10,000–30,000 |
| Financial Services / Exchange | Central Bank UAE / DFSA | 3–6 months | 50,000+ |
| Food & Beverage (retail/production) | Dubai Municipality (Food Safety) | 2–4 weeks | 2,000–8,000 |
| Legal Consultancy | Ministry of Justice (MoJ) | 4–6 weeks | 5,000–15,000 |
| Real Estate Brokerage | RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) | 2–3 weeks | 3,000–5,000 |
| Recruitment / Employment Agency | MOHRE (Ministry of HR) | 3–5 weeks | 10,000+ |
| Security Services | Dubai Police / MOI | 4–8 weeks | 10,000–25,000 |
Note: Extra approval timelines are estimates. A Noble Core consultant can pre-check your activity requirements and often fast-track approvals through established government relationships. Contact us before you start — catching an unexpected approval requirement early saves 4–12 weeks.
How to Add or Change Activities After License Issuance
Your business evolves. You may need to add new activities to your existing Dubai mainland license — or change an activity entirely. Here’s how it works:
Adding an Activity
- Log in to the Invest in Dubai portal
- Navigate to “My Licenses” → “Amend License”
- Select “Add Business Activity”
- Search and select the new activity
- Pay the activity amendment fee (typically AED 100–500 per activity)
- If the new activity requires external approval, submit to the relevant authority first
- Timeline: 3–7 working days (no external approvals) or 2–8 weeks (with approvals)
Changing an Activity
If you want to completely swap one activity for another, this is treated as a license amendment. Costs are similar to adding, but you must also ensure the new activity is compatible with your existing license type. Changing from a Professional to Commercial license type requires a full license restructure.
Cost Summary for Activity Changes (2026)
| Amendment Type | DET Fee (AED) | External Approval? |
|---|---|---|
| Add 1 compatible activity | 100–500 | Depends on activity |
| Add 2–5 activities | 500–1,500 | Depends on activities |
| Change activity (same type) | 300–1,000 | Depends on activity |
| Change license type | 2,000–5,000+ | Yes — full restructure |
DED Activities: 100% Foreign Ownership in 2026
A major milestone: following the 2021 UAE Commercial Companies Law amendments, most DED business activities now allow 100% foreign ownership on the Dubai mainland — no local Emirati sponsor required. Key points:
- Professional licenses: 100% foreign ownership available for virtually all activities
- Commercial licenses: 100% foreign ownership now permitted for most trading activities
- Industrial licenses: Generally requires Emirati partnership for strategic/defence-related manufacturing; others now 100% foreign
- Restricted activities: A small list of strategic activities (arms, security, telecom) still require Emirati ownership
- Free zone vs mainland: Free zones have always offered 100% foreign ownership, but required a local agent for mainland trading. Post-2021, mainland licensing now matches free zone ownership terms for most activities.
This is a game-changer for foreign investors — and one of the strongest reasons to choose Dubai mainland over a free zone if you need to trade directly with UAE consumers. See our guide to e-commerce licenses in Dubai and our cheapest trade license UAE comparison for more context.
DED Activity List: Quick-Reference Checklist
Use this before you submit your license application:
- ☑ I have searched the Invest in Dubai portal for my exact activity
- ☑ I’ve confirmed my activity is compatible with my chosen license type (Commercial / Professional / Industrial / Tourism)
- ☑ I’ve checked whether my activity requires external government approval
- ☑ I’ve accounted for extra approval costs and timelines in my business plan
- ☑ I’ve confirmed my activities allow 100% foreign ownership (or planned for a local partner if required)
- ☑ I’ve listed all activities I’ll need in the next 2–3 years (adding later costs time + money)
- ☑ I’ve verified my trade name doesn’t conflict with my activity category
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DED activity list in Dubai?
The DED activity list is the official register of over 2,000 approved business activities maintained by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). Every Dubai mainland trade license must specify one or more activities from this list. Operating outside your listed activities is a regulatory violation and can result in fines of AED 5,000–50,000 or license suspension.
How many business activities are there in Dubai DED?
As of 2026, the DET activity list contains over 2,000 approved activities across four license types: Commercial, Professional, Industrial, and Tourism. The list is updated periodically as new sectors emerge — for example, activities related to crypto assets and metaverse services were added in 2022–2023.
What is the difference between DED and DET in Dubai?
DED (Dubai Department of Economic Development) was the official name until 2021, when it was merged with Dubai Tourism and rebranded as DET (Department of Economy and Tourism). The authority, functions, and activity codes are identical. If you see “DED” in older articles or forms, it refers to the same body now operating as DET. Most people still use the DED name colloquially.
How do I find my DED activity code?
Your activity codes are printed on your Dubai trade license. You can also look them up on the Invest in Dubai portal (investindubai.gov.ae) by searching for your activity by name. Each activity has a unique 6-digit numeric code that DET uses to classify your business.
Can I have multiple activities on one DED license?
Yes — you can add up to 10 activities on a single Dubai mainland trade license. Activities must be compatible (e.g., you cannot mix Industrial and Tourism activities on the same license without specific approval). Each additional activity beyond your first typically costs AED 100–500 extra. Adding all activities you’ll need upfront is cheaper than amending later.
Which DED activities allow 100% foreign ownership?
Since the 2021 UAE Commercial Companies Law amendments, most DED activities now allow 100% foreign ownership — including the majority of Commercial and Professional activities. A small restricted list remains (arms, security, certain strategic sectors). Check the Invest in Dubai portal when selecting your activity — it flags restricted ownership requirements clearly.
How do I add a new activity to my existing Dubai license?
Log in to the Invest in Dubai portal, navigate to My Licenses → Amend License → Add Business Activity. Select your new activity, pay the amendment fee (AED 100–500 typically), and submit. If the activity requires external approval (DHA, KHDA, RERA, etc.), you’ll need to complete that first. Timeline: 3–7 days without external approvals, 2–8 weeks with.
What happens if I operate outside my DED activity scope?
Operating outside your licensed activities is a violation of Dubai’s Commercial Compliance regulations. Penalties include fines of AED 5,000–50,000, forced license suspension, and in repeat cases, license cancellation. DET inspectors actively audit businesses — particularly in retail, food, and service sectors. If your business has evolved beyond your original activities, amend your license before issues arise.
Can I change my DED activity after the license is issued?
Yes. Activity changes are processed as license amendments through the Invest in Dubai portal. If you’re swapping to a completely different activity type that requires a different license category (e.g., moving from Professional to Commercial), this requires a full license restructure, which takes longer and costs more (AED 2,000–5,000+). Planning your activities upfront avoids this.
What is the cheapest way to get a Dubai mainland license with a commercial activity?
A single-activity Professional license is typically the cheapest entry point (from AED 6,000–8,000). Commercial licenses start slightly higher (AED 8,000–15,000) due to higher registration fees and office space requirements. For the most cost-effective path to a Dubai mainland license, see our guide to small business license costs in Dubai.
Not Sure Which DED Activity You Need?
Noble Core Ventures has helped 500+ businesses navigate Dubai’s activity selection process. We’ll identify the exact activity code for your business, flag any approval requirements upfront, and handle the full license application — so you don’t lose weeks to back-and-forth with DET.
📞 Get a free activity consultation today.
Sources: Invest in Dubai (DET Official Portal) | UAE Government Portal — Business Licenses
