UAE
Industrial License
For manufacturing, processing and industrial production in the UAE.
3–4
Weeks to issue
Physical
Office + warehouse required (Dubai)
51%
Local sponsor stake (Dubai mainland)
25+
Industrial activity categories
Overview
An Industrial License in Dubai — or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates — is granted when the commercial activity undertaken is of an industrial nature, such as manufacturing or refining. If you're unsure whether a business activity is industrial, the rule of thumb is that it's most likely industrial if it involves specialised plant equipment: manufacturing paper products, commercial-scale bread production, large-scale chemical mixing, metal casting, forging or assembly of machines and engines, and packaging of food products including bottling of carbonated drinks.
All entities engaged in manufacturing or industrial activity need an Industrial License. Although it's issued by the Department of Economic Development in the emirate where you plan to establish your company, several clearances and mandatory approvals must be obtained first — your industrial establishment needs certified firefighting equipment in place, a detailed worker health and safety plan, and an electrical power connection and safety protection equipment that meet UAE standards, all reviewed thoroughly by competent technical authorities.
Examples of Industrial Activity
Paper & Packaging
Manufacturing of paper and paper-based products, including packaging of food products and bottling of carbonated drinks.
Food Production
Commercial-scale bread production and other food processing operations.
Chemical Processing
Large-scale production or mixing of chemicals.
Metal Casting
Casting of metals such as iron and steel.
Machinery & Assembly
Forging and assembly of machines, equipment and engines.
Manufacturing at Scale
Any commercial activity requiring specialised plant equipment or a dedicated production facility.
Government Support for Industrial Licence Holders
The Government provides tangible support to businesses that add value to the UAE economy.
Subsidised Land
The Government may provide land for free or at reduced rates for qualifying industrial operations.
R&D Assistance
Support for research and development if your product is expected to add value to the UAE economy.
Subsidised Utilities
Electricity and water are provided at subsidised rates according to your plant's needs.
Government Financing
If your product is new to the market, you could be granted financing by a Government bank in the UAE.
What Your Application Report Must Include
You need to submit a detailed report covering the industrial establishment you propose to build or expand.
- Reason for starting the operation, or for expanding an existing establishment beyond its current licensed scope
- Detailed technical information on production tools and estimated cost of production
- Financing plan — own funds or a financial institution — supported by proof of funds such as a bank statement or letter of credit
- Number of employees you plan to hire, with the establishment sized to accommodate them
- Consent of the Municipality, included with the application report
- Proof of membership in the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Emirates ID or passport copies of all partners, plus company formation documents showing ownership
- A location plan showing the industrial unit and constituent facilities (e.g. cooling towers, electrical power unit, chemical storage tanks), approved by the Government
How to Get an Industrial License in Dubai, UAE
The Industrial License is granted by the Department of Economic Development in the emirate where the plant is located — for example, a pharmaceutical plant in Ras Al Khaimah would be licensed by DED–RAK.
- 1
Confirm your activity is industrial
Check whether your activity requires specialised plant equipment or a dedicated production facility.
- 2
Prepare your technical and financial report
Cover production tools, estimated production cost, financing plan and proof of funds.
- 3
Secure Municipality consent and Chamber membership
Obtain Municipality consent for your location, and register with the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- 4
Arrange your office and warehouse
For Dubai, both a physical office and a warehouse for storage are mandatory — a virtual office cannot be used in place of your physical premises.
- 5
Obtain approvals from other Ministries
Before applying to DED, secure permissions from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Environment and Water, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
- 6
Submit your application to DED
With all approvals in hand, submit your full application and supporting report to the Department of Economic Development.
- 7
Begin construction within six months
Once your License is sanctioned, construction must start within six months.
- 8
Receive permission to operate
Once construction is complete, DED provides permission to start functioning, and you must apply to be included in the Industrial Register.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
Holding an Industrial License comes with continuing responsibilities, not just a one-time approval.
- Notify the authorities immediately of any change to your industrial operations
- Maintain accurate records of all workers at all times
- Ensure all workers are qualified to operate plant machinery, minimising the risk of industrial accidents
- Use imported raw or input materials only for the purpose they were imported for
- Inform the Department of Economic Development if you appoint a Director for your industrial establishment
- Comply with industrial safety regulations and UAE Labour Law at all times
- In Abu Dhabi, ensure at least 25% of your workforce is of Emirati nationality
Local Sponsorship & Emirate-Specific Rules
Depending on the emirate, additional rules apply. For Dubai, both a physical office and a warehouse for storage are mandatory, and a Local Sponsor must own 51% of the stock, so your company needs to be incorporated accordingly — this differs from the 100% foreign ownership now available for most commercial and professional mainland activities.
Before applying to the Department of Economic Development for an Industrial License, all other permissions must already be in place, including approvals from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Environment and Water, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention. If everything is in order, an Industrial License can be granted in as little as 3–4 weeks.
Why Choose Evolva for Your Industrial License?
Industrial licensing involves more government touchpoints than almost any other licence category — Evolva coordinates every one of them.
Multi-Agency Coordination
We help you secure clearances from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Environment and Water, Ministry of Health, and the Municipality, in the right sequence.
Technical & Financial Report Preparation
Our accountants work alongside our legal team to ensure your Business Plan and financial proof-of-funds check every box the authorities require.
Site & Warehouse Guidance
We advise on office and warehouse requirements specific to your emirate and industrial activity.
Local Sponsor Structuring
Where a Local Sponsor is required, we help you structure the shareholding correctly from day one.
Ongoing Compliance Support
We help you stay current with the Industrial Register, worker record-keeping and safety obligations after your licence is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your Industrial License setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
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Ready to get started with Industrial License?
Speak with an Evolva consultant today and get a tailored quote for your business setup.