Key Highlights

• Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD) approval is mandatory before you can obtain your commercial license. Most founders discover this requirement too late in the process.
• Non-UAE nationals need 8 consecutive years of legal experience (not 5 or 7) and must demonstrate unique services or proven market demand to qualify for LAD licensing.
• Compliance starts immediately after license issuance. goAML registration, UBO filing, and Corporate Tax registration aren’t “post-launch tasks” but mandatory Day 1 obligations.
• The UAE legal services market is projected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2030, growing at 7.4% CAGR, creating significant opportunity for qualified legal consultancies.

Opening a legal consultancy in Dubai isn’t just about paying fees and getting a license. It’s about navigating a dual regulatory approval process where the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD) holds the real gatekeeping power. You need to understand the precise difference between what you can and cannot do without court admission.

The UAE’s expanding business ecosystem continues attracting global entrepreneurs and investors. In 2024 alone, Dubai added over 231,000 new residents, representing a 6.13% increase, with record business registrations across free zones and mainland jurisdictions. 

Every one of those new businesses needs contract review, corporate compliance advice, and regulatory guidance. But before you can serve them, you need to understand the regulatory framework that governs what “legal consultancy” actually means in the UAE. Keep reading this article to set up your law consultancy in Dubai. ​

Disclaimer: All fees, costs, timelines, and procedures cited are for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements, fee schedules, application procedures, and compliance obligations directly with the relevant authorities before making business setup decisions or financial commitments.

Quick clarity: Law firm vs legal consultancy in the UAE (must-read before you apply)

This distinction isn’t semantic. It determines your entire licensing pathway, your permitted scope of work, and whether you even qualify to apply.

Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 draws a clear line between advocacy (the “legal profession”) and advisory work (the “legal consultation profession”). 

Only lawyers duly licensed and recorded on the relevant roll can represent clients before UAE courts and government entities. If you show up to a court hearing without proper admission to that role, your representation has no legal standing.​

A legal consultancy firm, by contrast, provides advisory services. You draft contracts, review corporate governance frameworks, advise on regulatory compliance, structure transactions, and guide clients through employment law matters. You do not step into a courtroom to represent a client unless you hold separate admission as an advocate.​

This guide focuses exclusively on setting up a legal consultancy firm, not a litigation practice. If your business model centers on court representation, you’ll need to pursue advocacy registration through the Ministry of Justice and meet separate criteria (including UAE nationals requiring supervised training as determined by regulatory requirements and passing an advocacy course).​

Why does this matter right now? Because when you apply to the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, they assess your application based on legal consultation criteria, not advocacy standards. Claiming you’ll provide litigation services when you’re only qualified for consultancy work is grounds for rejection.

What changed recently: the regulatory backbone you must align with

The UAE operates under a federal framework for legal services, with individual emirates (like Dubai) layering additional local requirements. If you’re setting up in 2026, you’re subject to three critical pieces of legislation that came into effect in 2025 and fundamentally reshaped how professional legal companies operate.​

1. Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2025: Professional company operating rules

This resolution, published February 10, 2025, governs law firms and legal consultancy firms as “professional companies.” Key provisions affecting your 2026 setup:​

Legal forms allowed: You can structure your firm as a General Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or One Person Company (OPC) with limited liability. Any other structure is null and void, and anyone entering contracts on behalf of an improperly formed entity is personally liable.​

Naming constraints: Your trade name must reflect your profession, indicate your legal form, and not be confusingly similar to existing firms. If your name includes a partner’s name, that person must be licensed to practice. You can’t use names that violate public order or morals.​

Partnership exclusivity: A critical constraint for anyone planning multiple ventures. One partner cannot be a founder or work in more than one professional company. If you’re contemplating a side advisory practice or consulting through another entity while running your legal consultancy, this rule blocks it.​

License renewal discipline: Professional company licenses are valid for one year. You must submit renewal applications at least 30 days before expiry. Fail to renew within 90 days, and the Ministry of Justice communicates with your licensing authority to revoke your license. There’s no grace period for “I forgot.”​

2. Cabinet Resolution No. 11 of 2025: Ministry of Justice fee schedule

This sets official fees for legal profession services. While most Dubai legal consultancy firm applicants interact primarily with LAD (not MoJ directly), understanding the federal fee structure matters because it frames cost expectations. 

For instance, UAE national lawyers registering on the Roll of Practicing Lawyers pay AED 3,000 for three years, while non-UAE lawyers pay AED 4,500 for one year.​

3. Why 2025 rules still control your 2026 setup

These resolutions entered into force in early 2025 and remain the operative framework. Any consultancy you establish in 2026 must structure itself under the legal forms specified, comply with naming rules, maintain required insurance, and adhere to renewal timelines. 

The regulatory environment hasn’t relaxed. Enforcement has tightened as the UAE implements recommendations from its Financial Action Task Force evaluations and aligns with international anti-money laundering standards.​

Eligibility checklist (Dubai): who can apply, and what LAD will look for

Dubai operates the most developed legal consultancy licensing framework in the UAE, centered on the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. If you’re setting up in Dubai mainland or targeting Dubai-based clients through a free zone, LAD approval is mandatory.​

1. Mainland Dubai / Dubai practice: LAD “Sole Establishment Legal Consultancy Firm” pathway

LAD’s requirements are non-negotiable. The Department assesses every application against these criteria, and there’s no “close enough” standard.​

For UAE nationals establishing a sole establishment legal consultancy firm:

• Bachelor’s degree in law (if obtained outside UAE, must be legalized and attested by UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research)​
• Minimum two consecutive years of legal experience in the UAE​
• Must serve as the managing partner throughout the license term​
• Must apply to register as a legal consultant with LAD​

For non-UAE nationals establishing a sole establishment legal consultancy firm:

• Bachelor’s degree in law (if obtained outside UAE, must be legalized and attested by UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research)​
• Minimum eight consecutive years of legal experience​
• Must demonstrate that the firm will provide unique legal services not already provided OR show that there is demand for such services in Dubai​
• Must serve as the managing partner throughout the license term​
• Must apply to register as a legal consultant with LAD​

Notice the eight-year requirement for foreign nationals. This isn’t “approximately eight years” or “seven years plus a part-time consulting role.” LAD requires evidence of eight consecutive years through employment letters, contracts, or other verifiable documentation. 

If you’re a U.S. lawyer with five years at a mid-sized firm and three years of corporate in-house experience, you meet the threshold. If you have seven years and eleven months, you don’t.​

The “unique services or demonstrated demand” requirement for non-UAE nationals adds another assessment layer. In practice, this means your application to LAD should include a professional business plan articulating either: 

• a specialized legal service area not currently saturated in Dubai’s market (examples: blockchain regulation, space law, emerging tech IP), or 
• evidence of demand, such as letters of intent from potential clients, market research showing gaps, or reference to sector growth data.​

2. Timeline and fees (official items only)

• LAD service timeframe: 15 working days​
• LAD legal consultancy firm license fee: AED 3,000 per legal consultant (plus Innovation Fee and Knowledge Fee)​
• UAE national discount: 50% fee reduction for UAE national legal consultants for the first three years of registration​

This 15-day timeframe starts once LAD has a complete application. If they request additional documentation during assessment, the clock effectively restarts.​

3. Can a non-lawyer open a “law consultancy”?

Short answer: No.

LAD requires that applicants for legal consultancy firm licenses hold a law degree and meet defined experience thresholds. Legal consultancy is a regulated professional activity, not an unregulated business service. If you’re a business consultant or corporate advisor without a law degree, you cannot obtain a legal consultancy license in Dubai.​

If you’re a qualified legal consultant but want to bring in a business partner who isn’t legally qualified, you’ll need to structure carefully. Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2025 permits professional companies with multiple partners, but all partners must be licensed to practice the profession. 

A non-lawyer can be a shareholder in a broader corporate management that owns or operates the consultancy, but they cannot be a partner in the professional company itself and cannot participate in the management of legal service delivery.​

Verify permissible structures with both LAD and the Department of Economy and Tourism before finalizing partnership agreements.

Choose your jurisdiction: Mainland Dubai vs Free Zone vs DIFC

Your jurisdiction choice affects ownership structure, client access, tax treatment, and regulatory approvals. Each path has trade-offs.

1. Mainland (DET/DED licensing): why it’s usually chosen for UAE-wide client access

Mainland companies licensed through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) can operate anywhere in the UAE. You can serve clients in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other emirate without restriction. You can bid on government contracts. You can establish a physical presence in multiple locations.​

The UAE’s official mainland setup process follows a standard sequence:​

1. Define your business activity
2. Select your legal form
3. Reserve your trade name
4. Obtain initial approval
5. Secure physical premises and register tenancy (Ejari in Dubai)
6. Obtain final commercial license

For legal consultancy, step 4 (initial approval) requires an additional layer. Certain activities, including legal consultancy, are subject to external authority approvals. In Dubai, that external authority is LAD. You cannot obtain your DET commercial license until LAD issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) approving the relevant licensing authority to issue your commercial license.​

Physical office requirement: All mainland businesses must have a physical address that complies with DET requirements. In Dubai, your tenancy agreement must be registered through Ejari, the Dubai Land Department’s official tenancy registration system. 

Ejari registration costs AED 206 plus VAT and requires submission of your signed tenancy contract, Emirates ID, and property title deed copy. Virtual offices and flexi-desks don’t satisfy the mainland physical address requirement for most activities.​

2. Free zone: when it can make sense (and the extra “external approvals” reality)

Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, no currency restrictions, and streamlined licensing. If your client base is primarily international, a free zone structure can work well. However, free zones come with two constraints that affect legal consultancies specifically.​

• Market access limitation: Free zone companies generally cannot serve the UAE local market directly without additional approvals or local service agents. If your target clients are UAE mainland businesses, government entities, or local companies, a free zone license creates friction. You’ll need workarounds (local distribution agreements, service agents) that add complexity and cost.​
• External approval requirement for legal consultancy: Even in free zones, legal consultancy is a regulated activity requiring external authority approval. Here’s the practical reality: LAD requires that you provide the commercial license issued by the licensing authority (from firms licensed in free zones) plus tenancy documentation and professional indemnity insurance before LAD issues the legal consultancy firm license.​

This creates a two-step sequence:

1. Apply to your chosen free zone for a commercial license (activity: legal consultancy)
2. Use that commercial license to apply to LAD for professional approval

Critical verification step: Not all free zones issue legal consultancy activities. Before committing to a free zone, verify directly with that zone’s authority whether they permit legal consultancy licensing and what their internal approval process entails. 

DMCC, IFZA, and other major free zones have professional service activity codes, but you must confirm the current policy specific to legal consultancy before proceeding.​

3. DIFC angle (optional, for international commercial/legal audience)

The Dubai International Financial Centre operates under a separate legal and regulatory framework based on English common law principles. If you’re targeting international arbitration, cross-border M&A, or clients operating within the DIFC ecosystem, a DIFC-licensed legal consultancy makes sense.​

DIFC has its own company registration, professional licensing, and court registration systems. Legal practitioners in DIFC may need to register with the DIFC Courts if they intend to issue or conduct proceedings before those courts (Part I for firms, Part II for individual practitioners). There are mandatory training requirements, including completion of courses on DIFC law and procedures.​

DIFC is a specialized jurisdiction. Unless you have a clear strategic reason to operate there (international client base, arbitration practice, cross-border finance transactions), the mainland or carefully selected free zone route will be more straightforward for a consultancy focused on UAE business advisory.

End-to-end setup process (Dubai 2026): A Roadmap 

This is the practical roadmap. Each step builds on the previous one, and skipping or reordering steps creates delays.

Step 1: Define your permitted service scope (and what you will NOT do)

Start with brutal honesty about what you’re qualified to offer. Legal consultancy covers a broad range: contract drafting and review, corporate governance advisory, regulatory compliance guidance, employment law advice, intellectual property strategy (non-litigation), transactional support, and commercial negotiations.

What you cannot do without additional licensing: represent clients in UAE courts, appear before government dispute resolution bodies that require enrolled advocates, or use the title “advocate” if you’re not admitted to the relevant roll.​

Draft an internal “services offered” list and a “services not offered” statement. This clarity protects you from scope creep that violates your license terms and helps clients understand your boundaries from day one.

Step 2: Prepare your LAD application pack (pre-licensing readiness)

LAD assesses applications based on documentation you submit. Incomplete applications delay the process or trigger rejections.

Core documents LAD requires:​

• Law degree certificate (attested and legalized if obtained outside UAE)
• Experience letters proving required consecutive years (eight years for non-UAE nationals, two years for UAE nationals in UAE)
• Professional business plan (for non-UAE nationals: must evidence uniqueness of services or demonstrate demand in Dubai)
• Valid passport
• Valid Emirates ID (if you’re a UAE resident)
• CV detailing legal experience
• Proof you’re employed by or establishing a licensed firm

Professional indemnity insurance: While you don’t need to purchase insurance before initial LAD approval, you’ll need it before LAD issues your final legal consultancy firm license. 

Start researching insurance providers early. Professional indemnity insurance for legal consultancies in the UAE is mandatory under 2025 legislation, and coverage must be issued by a UAE-licensed insurer. 

Policies typically require annual coverage amounts determined by ministerial resolution (industry practice suggests a minimum of AED 1 million for individuals, though specific requirements may vary by license type).​

Step 3: Apply to LAD via the Legal Profession System (LPS) or email channel

LAD operates the Legal Profession System (LPS), a digital portal for applications. Alternatively, you can submit applications via the designated LAD email channel.​

After submission, the Legal Consultant Affairs Section reviews your application. LAD may request that you attend an assessment meeting. 

This isn’t automatic, but if called, prepare to discuss your business plan, explain your target client base, and clarify how your services meet the “unique services” or “demonstrated demand” threshold (if you’re a non-UAE national).​

LAD’s decision timeline: 15 working days from complete application. The decision will either approve or reject. If rejected, LAD provides reasons.​

Step 4: Receive LAD approval and obtain the NOC for the licensing authority

Upon approval, LAD issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This NOC is the green light for DET (if you’re mainland) or your free zone authority (if you’re in a free zone) to proceed with issuing your commercial license.​

The NOC is time-bound. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2025, you have 90 days from LAD preliminary approval to complete your professional license with the licensing authority. If you need additional time, you can request an extension from LAD’s committee, but you must provide justification.​

Step 5: Complete Dubai economic licensing steps (DET)

With your LAD NOC in hand, you proceed through DET’s mainland business licensing flow:​

• Initial approval: Submit your application to DET, including your LAD NOC, proposed trade name, and chosen legal form. DET issues initial approval, confirming you can proceed.
• Trade name reservation: Reserve your trade name through DET’s system. Remember the naming rules from Cabinet Resolution No. 10: your name must reflect your profession and legal form and cannot be confusingly similar to existing firms.​
• Physical premises and Ejari: Secure your office space and register your tenancy contract through Ejari. This registration is mandatory in Dubai before final license issuance. Submit your Ejari certificate to DET as part of your license application.​
• Final commercial license: Once DET verifies all documentation (LAD NOC, Ejari, Memorandum of Association if applicable, and local service agent agreement if required), they issue your trade license.​

Step 6: Finalize office premises and documentation

Your office choice matters for banking and visa approvals, not just regulatory compliance. Mainland companies typically require physical office space that satisfies DET requirements.​

For free zone companies, options vary. Some free zones allow flexi-desks or virtual offices, but be aware that corporate bank account opening can be challenging without a physical office, and visa quotas are often tied to office size. 

Based on community feedback from founders, mainland companies with Ejari-registered offices generally experience smoother corporate banking processes compared to free zone flexi-desk setups.​

Step 7: Return to LAD with post-license evidence to receive the legal consultancy firm license

You’re not done with LAD yet. After obtaining your commercial license, you must return to LAD with:​

• Copy of commercial license (especially critical for free zone-issued licenses)
• Tenancy agreement/Ejari or title deed of office premises
• Professional indemnity insurance proof

LAD then issues your legal consultancy firm license. This is the document that authorizes you to provide legal consultancy services in Dubai. Your DET trade license permits you to operate a business. Your LAD license permits you to practice legal consultancy specifically.​

Step 8: Renewal rhythm and ongoing licensing discipline

Mark your calendar. LAD legal consultancy firm licenses require annual renewal. The renewal fee structure: AED 3,000 per practicing legal consultant (for sole establishments and civil company legal consultancy firms). UAE national legal consultants receive a 50% discount for the first three years.​

Professional company licenses (under Cabinet Resolution No. 10) also require annual renewal, with applications due at least 30 days before expiry. Track both your LAD license expiry and your DET trade license expiry. These dates may not align.​

Missing a renewal deadline isn’t just an administrative headache. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 10, failure to renew within 90 days of expiry without an acceptable excuse triggers communication from the Ministry’s Competent Department to the licensing authority to revoke your professional company license. Once revoked, you’ll need to restart the entire licensing process.​

Structuring your firm correctly: legal form, ownership, governance

Your legal structure affects liability, tax treatment, management flexibility, and exit options.

1. Pick the legal form that fits a regulated professional firm

Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2025 limits professional companies to three legal forms:​

• General Partnership (GP): All partners are jointly and severally liable for firm obligations. Each partner must be a licensed lawyer or legal consultant. Suitable for small, trusted teams where partners share risk equally.​
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Liability is limited to capital contributions. Requires at least one partner (single-member LLC structures are possible under UAE law updates allowing 100% foreign ownership). Most legal consultancies choose LLC for liability protection.​
• One Person Company (OPC) with Limited Liability: A single founder can establish an OPC. Ideal for solo practitioners who want limited liability without co-founders. The founder must be a licensed legal consultant.​

Any structure outside these three is void. Don’t attempt to set up as a joint stock company, partnership limited by shares, or other exotic form. It won’t be recognized, and you’ll face personal liability.​

2. Naming rules (practical do/don’t)

Your trade name must:​

• Reflect your profession (e.g., “Legal Consultancy,” “Law Consultancy”)
• Indicate your legal form (e.g., “LLC,” “OPC”)
• Not be confusingly similar to existing registered names
• Not violate public order or morals

If your name includes a partner’s name (e.g., “Ahmed Al-Mansouri Legal Consultancy”), that person must be licensed to practice.​

Don’t: Use a name that implies advocacy or court representation if you’re only licensed for consultancy. Don’t use “Law Firm” if you’re not licensed for litigation. Don’t include words like “International” or “Global” unless you can substantiate that scope.

3. Management and partner constraints that affect growth

Partner exclusivity: A partner cannot be a founder or work in more than one professional company. If you’re currently a partner in another legal consultancy or law firm, you must exit that arrangement before establishing or joining a new professional company.​

• Management by licensed practitioners: Your professional company must be managed by one or more partners listed on the Roll of Practicing Lawyers (for law firms) or the register of practicing legal consultants (for legal consultancy firms). You cannot appoint a non-lawyer business manager to run the firm.​
• Decision-making: If you have multiple managers, decisions are made by absolute majority. In case of a tie, managers refer the matter to partners for decision, with approval by a majority of partners (unless your Memorandum of Association specifies a different mechanism).​

These constraints limit how you can scale. If you want to bring in a strategic investor or business development partner who isn’t legally qualified, they cannot be a partner in the professional company. They could potentially be a shareholder in a parent holding company structure, but that adds complexity and may require additional approvals.

4. Mandatory compliance after incorporation (Dubai 2026): what most “setup guides” miss

Getting your license is step one. Staying compliant is a continuous obligation. Three critical compliance areas trip up new legal consultancies because they’re not emphasized during the setup process.

5. AML/CFT obligations (critical for legal consultancies)

Legal professionals fall under the UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) framework as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs).​

When legal consultancies are DNFBPs: The Ministry of Economy’s DNFBP list includes “Legal Consultancy Firms (Except for Lawyers and Notary Publics).” Additionally, when lawyers and legal professionals prepare or execute transactions involving:​

• Buying and selling real estate
• Managing client money, securities, or other assets
• Managing bank, savings, or securities accounts
• Organizing contributions for company creation, operation, or management
• Creating, operating, or managing legal persons or arrangements

They must comply with AML/CFT obligations.​

• goAML registration: All DNFBPs must register on the goAML portal. The goAML system, developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and operated by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, is the platform for filing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).​
• When to register: Immediately after obtaining your commercial trade license. There’s no grace period. The official requirement for goAML registration for new companies is upon establishment.​
• Consequences of non-compliance: Failure to register on the goAML portal is a violation of federal law. Penalties range from AED 50,000 to AED 5 million.​

How to register: Visit the official goAML portal. You’ll need:​

• Business license
• Your AML/CFT policies and internal controls
• Details of your appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) or AML Compliance Officer
• Passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID of your compliance officer
• Active UAE mobile number and official company email

Ongoing obligations: Once registered, you must file STRs and SARs through the goAML system whenever you identify suspicious activity. You’re also required to conduct customer due diligence (CDD), screen clients against sanctions lists and PEP databases, and maintain transaction records.​

The UAE has significantly increased enforcement of AML/CFT obligations, aligning with international standards and Financial Action Task Force recommendations. Don’t treat AML/CFT as a checkbox exercise. 

Regulatory authorities actively examine DNFBPs for control gaps, including inadequate CDD procedures, failure to screen beneficial owners, and insufficient suspicious activity monitoring.​

6. Beneficial Owner (UBO) / “Real Beneficiary” filing

Every UAE company must identify and register its Ultimate Beneficial Owners.

Who qualifies as a UBO: A natural person who:​

• Owns or controls 25% or more of the company’s shares or voting rights (directly or indirectly through a chain of ownership), OR
• Has the right to appoint or dismiss the majority of directors, OR
• If none of the above apply, the senior manager who exercises control over the entity

What you must maintain: Three registers:​

1. Register of real beneficiaries
2. Register of partners/shareholders
3. Register of managers/administrators

Filing timeline:​

• Create register within 60 days of company establishment
• File declaration with your licensing authority (DET for mainland, free zone authority for free zone companies)​
• Update changes within 15 days​

Data you’ll be asked for: Name, nationality, date of birth, passport or Emirates ID number, residential address, basis of control (ownership percentage, voting rights, appointment rights), and dates of acquisition of beneficial ownership.​

Record retention: Keep records for five years after company deregistration.​

Penalties for non-compliance: Administrative fines up to AED 1 million. UBO compliance is also a banking requirement. When you open a corporate bank account, banks will request your UBO declaration as part of their KYC process.​

7. Corporate Tax registration (when to register and why timing matters)

The UAE introduced a federal corporate tax effective June 1, 2023. If you incorporate on or after March 1, 2024, you must register for Corporate Tax within three months of incorporation.​​

• Who must register: All UAE-incorporated resident juridical persons, including free zone persons. Your legal consultancy falls into this category.​​
• Registration timeline for new companies (post-March 1, 2024): Apply for Corporate Tax registration within three months from the date of incorporation, establishment, or recognition.​​
• Penalty for late registration: AED 10,000.​
• How to register: Through the Federal Tax Authority’s eServices portal. You’ll need your trade license, Emirates ID, Memorandum of Association, and UBO information.​​
• Tax treatment: Legal consultancies are subject to the standard 9% corporate tax rate on taxable income above AED 375,000. Income below that threshold is taxed at 0%.​
• Free zone tax treatment: Free zone entities that meet “qualifying income” criteria can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. However, qualifying income is narrowly defined. Most professional service income (including legal consultancy fees) does not qualify for the 0% rate unless specific conditions are met. Consult a UAE tax advisor to determine your tax position.​
• Why timing matters: Corporate Tax registration isn’t something you handle “when you get around to it.” The three-month deadline is strict, and the AED 10,000 penalty applies per taxable person. Additionally, registration triggers ongoing filing obligations. You’ll need to file annual Corporate Tax returns, maintain proper accounting records, and potentially engage auditors depending on your revenue.​

Register within the first month of operations to allow time for any documentation issues and ensure full compliance with FTA regulations.​

Visas and residency options for founders

Your legal consultancy can sponsor residence visas for founders, partners, and employees. Visa options depend on your business structure and your long-term UAE plans.

1. Investor/partner visa via company setup (standard route)

Once your company is licensed and you have a physical office (for the mainland) or meet the free zone’s visa requirements, you can apply for investor or partner visas.​

Mainland visa quota: Typically based on office size. The standard guideline is approximately one visa per 100 square feet of office space. A 200-square-foot office supports roughly two visas.​

Free zone visa quota: Varies by free zone and license package. Some free zones offer fixed visa packages (e.g., flexi-desk with one visa, small office with three visas). DMCC, IFZA, and RAKEZ each have different structures.​

Manager visa vs. investor visa: If you’re a sole proprietor or sole establishment, you typically receive an investor visa. If your company has multiple partners and you’re designated as a manager, you may receive a manager visa instead. The distinction affects certain banking and credit products, though the difference has narrowed in recent years.​

2. Golden Visa (only if relevant to your profile)

The UAE Golden Visa program offers long-term residency (5 or 10 years) with automatic renewal and no sponsor requirement. Several categories may apply to legal consultancy founders:​

Entrepreneur category (5-year residency):​

• Innovative or technical project
• Project value minimum AED 500,000 (evidenced by certified auditor letter)
• Letter from approved business incubator or relevant authority confirming the innovative/technological nature of project

If your legal consultancy is built around legal tech (AI-powered contract review, blockchain-based compliance tools, automated legal research platforms), you might qualify. The “innovation” threshold is subjective but generally requires demonstrable technology differentiation, not just a standard consultancy model.

Investor category (10 years for public investments, 5 years for real estate):​

Public investment route:

• Minimum AED 2 million capital invested in:
  • Approved investment fund deposit, OR
  • Commercial or industrial license with capital ≥ AED 2 million, OR
  • Annual tax payments ≥ AED 250,000 to Federal Tax Authority

Real estate route:

• Property ownership ≥ AED 2 million (without loans) for 5-year residency​

Application channels: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. Requirements and processing vary by category, so verify current procedures through official channels.​

Why consider a Golden Visa: Independence from employer/company sponsorship, ability to sponsor family members, long-term residency without annual renewals, and a pathway to permanent residency in some categories. For legal consultancy founders planning a decade-long presence in the UAE, the Golden Visa offers stability that standard investor visas don’t.​

Cost and timeline expectations

Most setup guides quote “packages” that bundle license fees, PRO services, office costs, and visa fees. Those numbers are useful for budgeting, but they obscure what you’re actually paying for. Here’s what you can verify through official sources.

Variable costs to verify separately:

• DET trade license fees: Depend on activity, legal form, and whether you’re a mainland company or a free zone entity. Contact DET or your chosen free zone directly for current fee schedules.
• Office lease/Ejari: Mainland offices vary widely by location and size. Research current market rates for your preferred area.
• Visa costs: Approximately AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 per visa for processing, medical tests, Emirates ID, and related fees.​
• Document attestation: If your law degree was obtained outside the UAE, budget for Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation and possibly embassy legalization in your home country.
• PRO services: If you use a registered agent to handle DET submissions, LAD coordination, and visa processing, fees depend on the service scope.

Disclaimer on costs: All fees, charges, and pricing listed in this article are subject to change by UAE federal authorities, Dubai Legal Affairs Department, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and other regulatory bodies. Always verify current fee schedules, requirements, and procedures directly with the relevant authorities before making setup decisions or finalizing your budget. Office lease costs and insurance premiums fluctuate based on market conditions and are provided for general reference only.

Common real-world questions 

The regulatory guides tell you what the rules say. The practitioner community tells you where the friction points are. Here’s what founders actually ask when they’re navigating this process.

1. Mainland vs. free zone for consulting: bank account and visa difficulties?

The reality: Free zone flexi-desks can face challenges opening corporate bank accounts. Banks prefer physical offices with Ejari registration because it demonstrates business substance. Several founders report that mainland companies with Ejari find corporate account opening more straightforward, though not guaranteed.​

Workaround if you’re going to a free zone: Choose a “bank-friendly” free zone. DMCC, IFZA, and RAKEZ are frequently mentioned as zones where banks are more willing to open accounts. Once you receive your Emirates ID, consider applying to Wio Business or Mashreq NeoBiz, which have more streamlined digital application processes.​

Visa access: Mainland companies typically offer more visa flexibility because visa quotas scale with office size. Free zones often cap visas based on license package. If you plan to hire a team, factor this into your jurisdiction decision.​

2. Can I work as a legal consultant on a freelance visa?

Short answer: Not for regulated legal consultancy work.

Why: Legal consultancy is a regulated professional activity requiring LAD licensing. Freelance visas (also called “virtual work visas” or “remote work visas”) are designed for individuals working remotely for overseas employers or as independent freelancers in unregulated activities.​

If you’re providing legal advice in Dubai on a freelance visa without a legal consultancy firm license from LAD, you’re operating outside the regulatory framework. This exposes you to penalties, client disputes where your services may not be legally recognized, and potential visa violations.

If you want to practice legal consultancy in Dubai, establish a licensed legal consultancy firm (sole establishment or professional company) and obtain proper LAD approval.​

3. How do I verify if a law firm/lawyer is legitimate in Dubai?

This question comes up frequently because clients (and potential partners) want to confirm credentials before engaging a legal consultant.

• For LAD-registered practitioners: LAD maintains a register of licensed legal consultants and legal consultancy firms. You can inquire directly with LAD through their official channels or designated contact channels.​
• For lawyers registered with the Ministry of Justice: The Ministry maintains rolls of practicing lawyers. Verification requests can be submitted through MoJ channels.​
• Red flags: Anyone claiming to provide legal representation in Dubai courts without being on the relevant advocate roll. Anyone offering “legal consultancy” services without a visible trade license or LAD registration. Firms that refuse to provide their LAD license number or trade license copy upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a law firm and a legal consultancy in Dubai?

A law firm provides both advisory and advocacy services, including court representation. Lawyers in law firms are enrolled on the Roll of Practicing Lawyers and can represent clients before UAE courts. A legal consultancy provides advisory services only (contracts, compliance, corporate governance, transactional advice) and cannot represent clients in court without separate advocacy admission.​

2. Can foreigners start a legal consultancy in Dubai in 2026? What experience is required?

Yes, but with specific requirements. Non-UAE nationals must have a law degree (attested if obtained outside the UAE) and a minimum of eight consecutive years of legal experience. They must also demonstrate that their firm will provide unique legal services not already available or show demand for such services in Dubai. UAE nationals require only two consecutive years of legal experience in the UAE.​

3. Do I need Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD) approval for a legal consultancy license?

Yes. LAD approval is mandatory for all legal consultancy firms operating in Dubai, whether mainland or free zone. LAD issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that you must present to your licensing authority (DET or free zone authority) before they can issue your commercial license. After obtaining your commercial license, you return to LAD with proof of office and insurance to receive your final legal consultancy firm license.​

4. What documents are required for the LAD sole establishment legal consultancy firm license?

Core documents: law degree (attested if obtained outside the UAE), experience letters proving eight consecutive years (non-UAE nationals) or two consecutive years in the UAE (UAE nationals), professional business plan demonstrating uniqueness or demand (non-UAE nationals), valid passport, valid Emirates ID, CV, and later-stage proof of commercial license, tenancy/Ejari, and professional indemnity insurance.​

5. How long does LAD take to process the legal consultancy firm license?

LAD’s service timeframe is 15 working days from submission of a complete application. This is for the initial approval/NOC phase. After you obtain your commercial license and return to LAD with post-license documentation, final legal consultancy firm license issuance typically proceeds according to LAD’s standard processing timeline.​

6. Is professional indemnity insurance mandatory for a legal consultancy in Dubai?

Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2025 requires all professional companies (including legal consultancy firms) to maintain valid professional liability insurance issued by a UAE-licensed insurance company. LAD requires proof of insurance before issuing your legal consultancy firm license. Coverage amounts are determined by ministerial resolution and industry practice.​

7. Does a legal consultancy need to register on goAML?

Yes. Legal consultancy firms are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) under UAE AML/CFT law. Registration on the goAML portal is mandatory and must be completed immediately after obtaining your commercial trade license. Failure to register can result in fines ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 1,000,000.​

8. Do I need to file UBO/Real Beneficiary details after company formation?

Yes. All UAE companies must identify and register their Ultimate Beneficial Owners (anyone owning or controlling 25% or more of the company). You must create a UBO register within 60 days of company establishment and file it with your licensing authority (DET for mainland, free zone authority for free zones). Changes must be updated within 15 days.​

9. When must a new Dubai company register for Corporate Tax?

New companies incorporated on or after March 1, 2024 must apply for Corporate Tax registration within three months from the date of incorporation, establishment, or recognition. Failure to register by the deadline results in a penalty of AED 10,000. Register through the Federal Tax Authority’s eServices portal. 

Conclusion

Starting a legal consultancy in Dubai in 2026 is not a weekend project. It’s a multi-stage regulatory process that demands precision, patience, and a clear understanding of what “legal consultancy” means under UAE law. 

You’re not just obtaining a license. You’re entering a regulated profession where LAD holds gatekeeping power, where your compliance obligations begin the moment your commercial license is issued, and where renewal discipline determines whether you’re operating legally in year two.

The opportunity is real. The UAE legal services market is projected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2030, growing at 7.4% CAGR. Dubai continues attracting global entrepreneurs and investors, with record business registrations across jurisdictions. Every one of those businesses needs contract review, regulatory guidance, and compliance advice. But capturing that opportunity requires more than hanging a shingle.​

Book your free consultation call today with the experts of JSB Incorporation to learn more about setting up your law consultancy in Dubai.