Direct answer
Start with the activity because the official UAE Government says it is the basis for selecting the legal form and licence type.
Official-source position
Official UAE Government guidance describes business activity selection, legal form, trade licensing, trade-name registration, initial approval, location and additional approvals.
Practical checklist
- Identify the intended activity in the official classification.
- Check whether the activity is commercial, industrial, professional or another category.
- Confirm if the activity needs an external approval before filing.
- Keep the authority page used for the activity decision in the case file.
Frequently asked questions
Which authority controls this topic?
UAE Government is the primary authority linked on this page; use its current service or guidance page before acting.
How we write our guidesWe summarise official guidance and link to it. We do not publish fees, timelines or approval promises unless the authority does. Read our methodology.