Ajman Mainland Professional License

An Ajman DED professional licence for consultants, IT, design, training and other service businesses. We help you pick the right legal form, appoint a local service agent if you need one, and take the licence through to your visa.

Description

An Ajman Mainland Professional License is issued by the Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED) for businesses that sell skills and services rather than goods: management consultancy, IT services, marketing, design, training and similar work. It lets you serve clients across the UAE from a registered office in Ajman. If you want to buy and sell goods, you need an Ajman mainland commercial licence instead, or as well.

**Choose the legal form first.** A sole establishment has one owner, who is personally liable for the business's debts. A civil company is for two or more professionals working together. Some professional activities can also be set up as an LLC, which limits your liability; we check which forms your activity allows. If you are comparing options, our Ajman mainland company formation service covers the full range.

**Local service agent.** If you are not a UAE or GCC national, Ajman DED requires a sole establishment or civil company in a professional activity to appoint a UAE national as Local Service Agent (LSA), unless a UAE national joins as a partner. The agent has no shares and no say in how you run the business. Their role and fee are set out in a service agent contract, so read it carefully before signing. We arrange the agent and draft the contract.

**Regulated professions.** Engineering consultancy, accounting and auditing, legal, and health-related services need approval from the relevant authority, and proof of your qualifications, before Ajman DED will issue the licence. This adds time, so we check it at the start.

**Office.** You need a business address in Ajman with a lease authenticated by Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (Tasdeeq; Ajman doesn't use Dubai's Ejari). The type of office affects how many visas you can apply for later. If you don't yet have premises, we can help you find a flexi-desk or office in Ajman that suits your activity.

**Online and timing.** Ajman DED's online services, including the Go Business service launched in December 2025, let owners with UAE PASS reserve a name, register activities, pay and receive the licence and establishment card online. Owners outside the UAE can sign through a power of attorney. For an unregulated activity with documents ready, the process typically takes one to two weeks; regulated activities take longer because of the extra approval.

**After the licence.** You can apply for your own residence visa and later employment visas for staff. We also help with opening a corporate bank account. The licence is valid for one year, and we can handle annual renewal for you. If you add services later, that's done through a licence amendment.

**What affects the cost.** Your legal form, the number and type of activities, any regulator approval, your office, the service agent contract and how many visas you need. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote based on your plans.

What's Included

Advice on whether your activity is professional or commercial, and which legal form fits
Activity selection on the Ajman DED list
Trade name check and reservation
Local Service Agent arrangement and service agent contract (where required)
Coordination of regulator approval for regulated professions
Lease authentication with Ajman Municipality and Planning Department
Licence application and issuance with Ajman DED, including Chamber of Commerce membership
MOA preparation for civil companies or LLCs
Establishment card with ICP
Residence visa for the owner: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID
Introduction to banks for a corporate account

Requirements / Prerequisites

Your activity is on Ajman DED's list of professional activities
Non-GCC owners: a UAE national service agent or partner
A business address in Ajman with a lease that can be authenticated by Ajman Municipality
For regulated professions: the qualifications and approval required by that profession's regulator
A trade name that follows Ajman DED naming rules

Required Documents

Passport copy of each owner or partner
Passport-size photo
Emirates ID and visa copy (if you live in the UAE)
Attested educational and professional certificates (regulated professions; sometimes requested for others)
Signed service agent contract (non-GCC owners)
Authenticated lease contract for the Ajman office
No-objection letter from your current employer (may be asked for if you are employed in the UAE)
Power of attorney (if you are signing from outside the UAE)

Our Process

Consultation: confirm the activity, legal form and whether a regulator's approval is needed.
Reserve the trade name with Ajman DED.
Appoint the Local Service Agent and sign the service agent contract (if needed).
Obtain ICP approval for foreign owners and any regulator approval.
Lease your office and authenticate the lease with Ajman Municipality.
Pay the licence and Chamber fees; Ajman DED documents the MOA for companies.
Receive the licence, Chamber membership and establishment card.
Apply for your residence visa: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID.
Open the corporate bank account and register with MOHRE if you will hire staff.

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a local service agent for an Ajman professional licence?

If you are not a UAE or GCC national and you set up a sole establishment or civil company, yes. Ajman DED requires a UAE national service agent, or a UAE national partner. GCC nationals can form a professional civil company without one.

Does the local service agent own part of my business?

No. The agent holds no shares and has no management role. Their duties and fee are set by the service agent contract, so check its terms on termination and replacement before you sign.

Can I own 100% of my professional business?

Yes, with a service agent in place you keep full ownership. With a sole establishment you are also personally liable for its debts, which is why some owners prefer an LLC where the activity allows it.

What is the difference between a professional and a commercial licence?

A professional licence is for services and expertise. A commercial licence is for trading goods. If you plan to do both, ask us whether they can sit on one licence.

Do I need an office?

Yes. You need an Ajman address with a lease authenticated by Ajman Municipality. A shared desk may be accepted for some activities, but it limits how many visas you can get.

How long does it take?

For an unregulated activity with documents ready, typically one to two weeks. Regulated professions take longer because another authority must approve first.

Do I need attested certificates?

For regulated professions such as engineering, accounting and auditing, yes. For general consultancy or IT they are usually not required, but we confirm for your exact activity.

Can I get a residence visa and hire staff?

Yes. Once the licence and establishment card are issued, you can apply for your own residence visa and register with MOHRE to hire employees. The number of visas depends mainly on your office.