VAZONE Expert Guide

Top 5 Business Activities Allowed in Dubai Mainland 2025

In 2025, Dubai Mainland will offer over 2,000 approved business activities across retail, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, real estate, and technology. Regulated by the Department of Economic Development (DED), recent updates allow more flexibility for free zone companies to operate on the mainland, enhancing business growth.

Dubai Mainland

Dubai Mainland offers entrepreneurs unlimited opportunities to start a business. Managed by the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Mainland allows you to operate locally and internationally, making it the ideal choice for many investors.

Top 5 Business Activities in Dubai Mainland

Let’s dive into the top 5 business activities allowed in Dubai Mainland that are trending in 2025!

1️⃣ Commercial Trading

Trading is one of the most common and profitable business activities in Dubai Mainland. Whether it’s import/export, wholesale, or retail, you can deal in:

Electronics & Gadgets
Building materials
Apparel & fashion
Food & beverages

✅ DED License Type: Commercial License

💼 Ideal for General Trading, Specialty Stores, Online Shops

2️⃣ Professional Services

Dubai Mainland supports many professional services, making it ideal for freelancers, consultants, and service-based businesses.

Popular professional services include

Management consultancy
IT and software solutions
Digital marketing agencies
Legal & accounting firms

✅ DED License Type: Professional License

👤 100% ownership allowed for professionals

3️⃣ Hospitality & Food Services

Dubai’s tourism and expat-driven market make hospitality and F&B one of the hottest sectors on the mainland.

Popular setups:

Restaurants and cafés
Cloud kitchens
Catering services
Food trucks

✅ Requires additional approvals from Dubai Municipality & Food Safety Department

4️⃣ Real Estate Brokerage

With a booming real estate market, brokerage and property management businesses are in high demand.

You can:

Buy, sell, or lease properties
Manage properties
Work as a real estate agent or broker

✅ Requires RERA certification

📍 Mainland setup allows you to operate across all Dubai zones

5️⃣ E-commerce Business

Even though free zones dominate e-commerce, Dubai Mainland now fully flexibly supports online business licenses.

Benefits:

Sell across the UAE without customs restrictions
Combine online and offline trading
Build a local delivery network

✅ Requires E-Trader License or Commercial License

🚚 Great for UAE-based product sellers and service providers

🎯 Why Choose Dubai Mainland?

100% ownership (for many sectors under new rules)
No limits on visa quotas (unlike free zones)
Ability to work with government contracts
There are no restrictions on the office location
Access to local and international markets

📄 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right business activity in Dubai Mainland depends on your goals, capital, and long-term plans. These top 5 categories offer a profitable and flexible foundation to build a successful venture in 2025.