A Dubai HR consultancy licence costs AED 15,000–30,000 all-in and requires approval from both DET (Department of Economy and Tourism) and MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). The licence permits you to provide HR advisory, payroll consultation, talent management and compliance services to UAE employers. Setup typically takes 3–5 weeks from application to issuance.
What Is a Dubai HR Consultancy Licence?
An HR consultancy licence authorises your firm to offer strategic human-resources services—payroll management, employee relations, compliance guidance, recruitment support and training delivery—across the UAE. Unlike a Dubai business setup consultants firm, an HR consultancy focuses on people-management solutions rather than company registration. A Dubai business setup with this activity code requires dual approval from DET and MOHRE, distinguishing it from general trade licences.
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Licensing Authority: DET and MOHRE Approval
DET (Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly DCCI) issues the trade licence and classifies your activity code. MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) separately approves HR consultancy operations under UAE Labour Law. Both approvals are non-negotiable; DET alone cannot authorise HR consultancy work. MOHRE scrutinises your staff qualifications, office premises, and service scope. Many applicants overlook MOHRE’s parallel review, causing delays. Your licence will carry both entities’ endorsements.
Cost Breakdown: AED 15,000–30,000 All-In (2026)
| Cost Component | Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| DET Trade Licence (mainland) | 3,000–8,000 |
| MOHRE Approval & Registration | 2,000–5,000 |
| Office Ejari (lease registration) | 500–1,500 |
| Visa & Labour Card Issuance (per employee) | 1,500–3,000 each |
| Municipality Approvals & PRO Fees | 1,500–2,500 |
| DBS Setup Assistance (optional) | 3,000–5,000 |
| Total (1 employee minimum) | 15,000–30,000 |
Costs vary by emirate, office location and staffing needs. Free-zone setups may incur different fees.
Mainland vs Free-Zone HR Consultancy Setup
Mainland (Dubai/DET): You operate under DET jurisdiction, serving clients across the UAE with fewer restrictions. Costs are AED 15,000–25,000. You’ll need a physical office in Dubai and MOHRE approval. Visa quota is typically 1–2 employees initially, scaling with business proof.
Free Zone (JAFZA, RAK FZ, Fujairah FZ): Lower setup fees (often AED 8,000–15,000 for zone fees), 100% foreign ownership, and simplified visa quotas. However, serving mainland clients requires a mainland partner or agent, adding cost and complexity. Free zones suit firms targeting cross-border or international clients; mainlanders prefer direct mainland licensing.
Which location suits your growth plan? WhatsApp DBS: +971 54 332 2846.
Timeline: 3–5 Weeks from Application to Issuance
Week 1: Document submission and DET initial review. Week 2–3: MOHRE approval and office-premises verification. Week 4: Final DET issuance and visa processing. Week 5: Labour card collection. Delays occur if premises don’t meet MOHRE standards, staff CVs lack HR qualifications, or document translations are incomplete. Fast-track service is not available; regulatory timelines are fixed. Rush processing does not exist in 2026 rules.
Required Documents and Approvals Checklist
- Passport copies (owner and all proposed employees) with visa pages.
- Educational credentials (Bachelor’s in HR, Business or equivalent) – MOHRE requires proof of HR knowledge.
- Office lease agreement (Ejari-registered) and landlord NOC.
- UAE address & contact details for correspondence with DET and MOHRE.
- Business plan outlining HR services, target clients, pricing and staffing.
- Bank reference letter (optional but strengthens application).
- CV and professional history of the owner/manager in HR or related field.
- MOHRE-specific form (Manpower Consultancy Registration Form) – available via FTA portal or MOHRE office.
DET and MOHRE may request additional documents during review. Translation to Arabic by a certified translator is mandatory for foreign documents.
Visa Eligibility & Employee Quota Rules
You must obtain a residence visa and trade licence in your own name or as a partner. A single owner can typically sponsor 1–2 employee visas initially; quota increases with audited revenue, published accounts, and documented clients. MOHRE does not issue visa quotas based on business plan alone—only on proven turnover and tax history. First-year visa requests for a startup HR consultancy are conservative (1 person). Year two onwards, you can request additional visas (up to 5) if your audited accounts show minimum AED 500,000 annual revenue and valid client contracts. Employment visas are issued by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) upon MOHRE and DET clearance.
Need visa quota clarification? Email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com or WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
Frequently asked questions
What licence do I need to start an HR consultancy in Dubai?
You need a DET trade licence (Activity Code: HR Consultancy/Manpower Services) with parallel MOHRE approval. DET issues the licence; MOHRE registers you as an HR service provider and verifies your staff qualifications and office premises. Both are mandatory. Mainland setup costs AED 15,000–25,000; free-zone alternatives cost AED 8,000–15,000 plus zone membership but require mainland partner for local client services.
How is an HR consultancy licence different from a recruitment agency licence?
An HR consultancy advises employers on payroll, compliance, talent strategy and training. A recruitment agency (manpower supply) sources and places candidates in jobs. Recruitment requires FTA (Federal Tax Authority) and GDRFA clearance; HR consultancy requires DET and MOHRE only. Recruitment involves visa sponsorship for placed workers; HR consultancy does not. Different activity codes, different approval bodies, different compliance rules.
How much does an HR consultancy licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
All-in cost for mainland Dubai: AED 15,000–30,000, covering DET licence (AED 3,000–8,000), MOHRE approval (AED 2,000–5,000), office registration (AED 500–1,500), one employee visa and labour card (AED 1,500–3,000), and municipal/PRO fees (AED 1,500–2,500). Free-zone setups are AED 8,000–15,000 for zone fees alone but require mainland partner for UAE client access.
Does an HR consultancy need MOHRE approval?
Yes, absolutely. MOHRE approval is mandatory and separate from DET licensing. MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) verifies your HR expertise, staff qualifications, office location, and compliance with UAE Labour Law. DET cannot issue your licence without MOHRE’s parallel sign-off. MOHRE review adds 1–2 weeks to your timeline. Overlooking MOHRE is the leading cause of application rejection.
Can a free zone company offer HR services to mainland clients?
Legally, no. Free-zone HR consultancies cannot directly service mainland clients without a mainland sponsoring partner or agent. If you establish in JAFZA or RAK FZ, you must either appoint a mainland UAE agent (who takes a commission) or open a parallel mainland branch. This adds cost and complexity. Most HR consultancy startups choose mainland DET licensing (AED 15,000–25,000) to avoid the free-zone limitation and partner dependency.
How long does it take to set up an HR firm in Dubai?
3–5 weeks from application to licence issuance and visa processing. Week 1: DET review and initial approval. Weeks 2–3: MOHRE office inspection and staff qualification verification. Week 4: Final DET issuance. Week 5: Labour card and visa collection. Delays occur if office premises don’t meet MOHRE standards or staff CVs lack HR-relevant qualifications. No fast-track or rush option exists; timelines are regulatory.
What staff qualifications does MOHRE require for an HR consultancy?
MOHRE expects at least the owner/manager to hold a Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Labour Relations or a related field, plus 2+ years of documented HR work experience. Employees should have relevant HR certifications (CIPD, SHRM) or degrees. MOHRE reviews CVs and educational transcripts; foreign qualifications must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Education. Without verifiable HR credentials, MOHRE may reject your application or request further evidence.
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