Dubai Mainland Industrial License
Get your Dubai Mainland Industrial License for manufacturing, assembly, and production businesses through DET. Includes Ministry of Industry approval, Civil Defence NOC, and Dubai Municipality coordination.
Description
A Dubai Mainland Industrial License authorises manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging, and industrial production activities through DET (Department of Economy and Tourism). It requires additional approvals from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, and the relevant industrial regulator depending on the activity (food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, building materials).
Industrial licenses require a warehouse or factory facility (not a standard office), zoning compliance with Dubai Municipality, fire safety compliance with Civil Defence, environmental clearances, and minimum capital requirements that vary by industry. Setup is more complex than commercial or professional licenses, but offers significant advantages — UAE-wide market access, eligibility for industrial subsidies and customs duty exemptions on raw materials, and the ability to manufacture for export.
Octavon Global Advisory handles the complete Dubai industrial license process — DET initial approval, MoIAT industrial approval, Dubai Municipality zoning compliance, Civil Defence safety NOC, environmental clearances, warehouse/factory lease coordination, MOA drafting, license issuance, investor visa, and corporate bank account introduction. Industrial setups typically take 6 to 10 weeks depending on the regulatory approvals required.
What's Included
- DET Mainland Industrial Trade License
- Ministry of Industry (MoIAT) Industrial Approval
- Dubai Municipality Zoning Compliance
- Dubai Civil Defence Fire Safety NOC
- Environmental Clearance Coordination
- 100% Foreign Ownership (Most Industrial Activities)
- Up to 10 Related Industrial Activities
- Operate Across All UAE Emirates
- Customs Duty Exemption on Raw Materials
- MOA Drafting and Notarisation
- Warehouse / Factory Lease Coordination
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Warehouse or factory facility with appropriate zoning
- Activity-specific approvals (food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
- Civil Defence compliance plan (fire safety, ventilation)
- Environmental impact assessment (for certain activities)
- Minimum capital varies by industry (typically AED 100,000-500,000+)
- Equipment list and production process documentation
Required Documents
- Passport Copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-sized Photographs
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- Industrial Activity Description
- Equipment List and Production Process
- Warehouse / Factory Lease Agreement
- Civil Defence Compliance Plan
- Environmental Impact Assessment (if required)
- Activity-specific Regulator Approvals
- For corporate shareholder: parent company documents (attested)
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
Our Process
- Consultation on industrial activity and feasibility
- Activity selection and DET initial approval
- MoIAT industrial activity approval
- Dubai Municipality zoning compliance check
- Warehouse / factory lease and Ejari registration
- Civil Defence fire safety NOC
- Environmental clearance (if required)
- Activity-specific regulator NOC
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- Final DET trade license application
- License collection and Establishment Card
- Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID
- Customs Code and import duty exemption setup
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 18,000
- Service Fee: AED 5,000
- VAT (5%): AED 1,150
- Total: AED 24,150
Frequently Asked Questions
What industrial activities are covered under a Dubai Mainland Industrial License?
Manufacturing of all kinds including food processing, beverage production, garment manufacturing, electronics assembly, furniture manufacturing, building materials production, plastics, packaging, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and over 300 other industrial activities approved by MoIAT and DET.
How long does Dubai industrial license setup take?
Industrial license setup typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from initial application to license collection. Most of this time is regulatory approvals (MoIAT, Municipality, Civil Defence, environmental) which run in parallel.
Do industrial licenses get customs duty exemption?
Yes. UAE industrial licenses are eligible for customs duty exemption on imported raw materials, machinery, and equipment used in the manufacturing process. We coordinate the exemption application with Dubai Customs and MoIAT.
What is the minimum capital for an industrial license?
Minimum capital varies significantly by industry. Light manufacturing typically starts at AED 100,000-200,000, heavy industrial activities can require AED 500,000 or more. Specific capital requirements are confirmed during MoIAT approval.
Can I get visas for production workers under an industrial license?
Yes. Industrial licenses support unlimited visa quotas based on factory size (1 visa per ~9 sqm) including specialised technical workers, production staff, and engineers. We coordinate the MOHRE work permits and visa processing as part of our PRO service.
Do I need a warehouse or factory for an industrial license?
Yes. Unlike commercial or professional licenses, industrial licenses require a physical warehouse or factory facility in an appropriately zoned area (industrial zone). We coordinate site sourcing with Dubai Municipality zoning requirements.
What is the difference between an industrial license and a manufacturing free zone?
Mainland industrial licenses can sell directly to the UAE market with no restrictions. Free zone industrial setups (such as JAFZA or DAFZA) offer tax benefits and easier export logistics but cannot sell directly to mainland UAE without a distributor. The right choice depends on your target market.