Intelaq Licence Dubai: Eligibility, Activities, Cost and Application

Running a small business from home can keep startup costs low, but Dubai still expects you to operate under the correct licence. For eligible UAE and GCC nationals, the Intelaq licence Dubai offers a dedicated route for approved home-based business activities.

The licence is designed for small projects that can operate from a Dubai residence without a conventional shop or office. It can cover selected professional, commercial, creative, event and food-related activities. Eligibility is narrow, though. Your nationality, Dubai residence, activity and ownership structure all have to fit the programme.

This guide explains the eligibility rules, activities, cost, documents, employee provisions and application process.

Quick Facts About the Intelaq Licence

What Is an Intelaq Licence in Dubai?

Intelaq is Dubai's home-based business licence for eligible UAE and GCC nationals. Dubai SME describes it as a licence that allows Dubai residents who meet the programme conditions to operate a business from home for a relatively small annual fee.

Dubai's normal licensing rules require a business to identify suitable premises. Article 18 of Dubai Law No. 13 of 2011 allows the licensing authority to permit certain economic activities to be carried out from a residence, subject to its rules and conditions. 

That makes Intelaq useful when your work does not need a conventional commercial unit. A consultant, designer, small event business or approved food project may be able to start from home rather than rent an office immediately.

If you are still comparing wider options, read Nexture's guide to setting up a business in Dubai before choosing a structure.

Who Is Eligible for an Intelaq Licence?

The applicant must be a UAE national or GCC national and reside in Dubai. The business must be based in Dubai and fully owned and managed by the eligible national. Dubai SME also says an applicant or partner must not have more than five trade licences that they fully or partly own or manage.

Intelaq is tied to the Sole Establishment legal form. Invest in Dubai's activity records state that the Intelaq licence type is available to UAE and GCC nationals and is used with the Sole Establishment structure.

Dubai SME's published programme update also stated that one applicant cannot have more than two Intelaq licences. That is separate from the broader five-trade-licence limit.

If you are an expatriate resident, Intelaq is generally not your route. Depending on what you plan to do, an E-Trader licence, standard mainland licence or free-zone licence may fit better. Nexture's E-Trader licence Dubai guide explains another option for smaller online businesses.

What Activities Are Allowed Under Intelaq?

A business being suitable for home operation does not automatically mean it qualifies. You need an activity that the Dubai licensing system accepts under Intelaq.

Dubai SME has publicly identified activities including consultancy and training, fashion and apparel design, interior design, real estate brokerage, party and entertainment event organisation, publicity and announcements.

Food was added later. Dubai SME expanded Intelaq to cover 19 food trading activities and seven food preparation activities. Food preparation categories include confectionery, pies and pastries, desserts and traditional sweets, juices, snacks, sandwiches and ice cream.

Some activities still require approval from another authority. Food businesses may need Dubai Municipality approval, while real estate brokerage comes with separate property-sector requirements.

Special Rules for Home-Based Food Businesses

Food businesses face tighter controls. Dubai SME's published rules state that food preparation under Intelaq requires a designated preparation kitchen with an entrance from outside. The operator must stay within the licensed activity and authorised Dubai SME, DET and Dubai Municipality officials can inspect the premises.

Food trading works differently. The residence can act as a management office, but storage and repackaging cannot simply be carried out at home. Products must come from approved sources and applicable food registration, warehousing, transport and safety requirements still apply.

The 2020 Dubai SME update also stated that food-related Intelaq activities could operate for five years with annual renewal, after which the licence would need to be converted into a commercial licence. Because sector rules can change, confirm the current position before building a long-term business plan around those five years.

How Much Does an Intelaq Licence Cost in Dubai?

Dubai SME currently publishes AED 1,050 for a new Intelaq licence and AED 1,050 for renewal. The stated amount excludes federal government fees and other guarantees or charges that may apply.

Your actual budget can therefore be higher. External approvals, an Establishment Card, employee processing or food-related permits can add separate charges.

Treat AED 1,050 as the published base fee rather than an all-inclusive quote. If your planned operation is already too large for a home-business structure, compare Intelaq with a conventional licence. Nexture's commercial licence UAE guide covers the broader commercial route.

Documents Required for an Intelaq Licence

The current Dubai SME FAQ lists the National ID card as the core requirement for a new Intelaq licence. Depending on the activity and the information already available through government systems, additional identity, residence or regulatory documents may be requested.

For renewal, Dubai SME lists the National ID card, a copy of the trade licence being renewed and information about the business's performance during the previous year.

It makes sense to have your Emirates ID, passport, Dubai residence evidence and any activity-specific approvals ready before you start.

How to Apply for an Intelaq Licence in Dubai

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm that you are a UAE or GCC national residing in Dubai and that the residence used for the business is located in Dubai.

2. Search for your business activity. Use the Invest in Dubai business portal and confirm that your chosen activity supports Intelaq and the Sole Establishment legal form.

3. Start the business application. Dubai SME lists Invest in Dubai as the application channel for a new Intelaq licence.

4. Enter your business and applicant details. Make sure the activity you select accurately describes what you intend to sell or provide.

5. Submit the requested documents and approvals. Your National ID is the core published requirement. Food, real estate and other regulated activities may require additional clearance.

6. Review the payment request and complete licence issuance. Check the final government charges before paying.

Can an Intelaq Business Hire Employees?

Dubai SME announced that Intelaq licence holders can obtain Establishment Cards, providing facilities that can include work visas for up to three employees.

Those visas are not automatically included with the licence. Labour, immigration, activity and establishment requirements still apply. If you expect to build a larger team, compare Intelaq with a regular mainland company before deciding.

Tax Rules Still Apply to an Intelaq Business

A low-cost home licence does not remove federal tax obligations.

VAT registration becomes mandatory when a UAE-resident business exceeds AED 375,000 in taxable supplies and imports over the previous 12 months, or expects to exceed the threshold within the next 30 days. Voluntary VAT registration may be available once taxable supplies, imports or taxable expenses exceed AED 187,500. 

Corporate Tax works differently for a natural person running a business. The Federal Tax Authority states that a natural person carrying on business in the UAE must register for Corporate Tax when total business turnover exceeds AED 1 million during a calendar year.

Keep proper sales and expense records from day one. Reconstructing them after your turnover increases is far harder.

Is the Intelaq Licence Right for Your Business?

Intelaq can work well when you meet the nationality and Dubai residence requirements, your activity is approved and the business can genuinely operate on a small home-based model.

It becomes less suitable when you need business partners, a customer-facing shop, significant storage, a larger workforce or an activity that needs a more complex regulated setup. In those cases, a mainland or free-zone company may give you more room to operate.

Choosing the licence based only on the cheapest fee can cause problems later. Match your setup to how the business will earn money, employ people and serve customers.

Conclusion

The Intelaq licence Dubai programme gives eligible UAE and GCC nationals a practical way to start approved businesses from a Dubai residence. Dubai SME charges a fee of AED 1,050 for issuance or renewal. The business must be fully owned and managed by eligible nationals and your selected activity must support the Intelaq route.

Activity selection is the part you should check most carefully. A home-based business does not automatically qualify for Intelaq, and regulated sectors can bring extra approvals.

If you want help checking whether your proposed activity fits Intelaq or whether another Dubai licence would work better, Nexture can help you compare the available setup routes before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions