Architecture & Design in the UAE

Key points

the UAE mainland licences are released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 business days. From day one, government and semi-government tenders in the UAE require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Among the strengths of a the UAE mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Activity and legal form

   In short, we pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals. If the authority raises a query on starting an architecture practice in the UAE at this stage, we handle it the same day.

2. 
   Step 2

   Trade name and initial approval

   GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs.

3. 
   Step 3

   Office, MOA and submission

   After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for starting an architecture practice in the UAE.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence, Chamber and immigration

   The the UAE mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.

Documents required

Gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of starting an architecture practice in the UAE.

• Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
• Architect's attested degree
• A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
• Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
• The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
• A passport-size photograph on a white background

Pricing

All prices for starting an architecture practice in the UAE are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands. Use the table below to compare packages for starting an architecture practice in the UAE; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.

Where to license architecture & design

Submitting building drawings for permits requires municipality registration and a licensed architect. Concept and visualisation studios can operate on a free zone professional licence.

Meydan Free ZoneDubai's entrepreneurial free zone at the iconic Meydan rac…Dubai mainlandThe UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE w…Abu Dhabi mainlandThe capital — government contracts, energy supply chains a…Sharjah mainlandIndustrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading a…

Examples of this activity

• Architecture studio
• Landscape design
• Urban planning
• BIM services

Architecture & Design guides by nationality

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Why the UAE

The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for starting an architecture practice in the UAE. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many business owners choose it as a base for starting an architecture practice in the UAE.

Why GoldenKey

GoldenKey's consultants have handled starting an architecture practice in the UAE for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. From day one, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your the UAE file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the submission sit. As a rule, after your the UAE licence is granted, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.

Frequently asked questions