Typically, professional companies in Dubai are founded or established by professionals with the necessary UAE professional license. In this case, the company is a sole proprietorship professional company.

In some cases, however, a professional company can have multiple owners and is effectively a partnership among individual professionals, each with their respective professional licence in Dubai. Such professional business setups are known as civil companies.

When foreigners establish a professional sole proprietorship or civil company, they must have a local service agent.

Aside from sole proprietorships and civil companies, public shareholding companies, limited liability companies, branches of foreign companies, and branches of freezone companies may all engage in professional activities, too, although there may be specific professional activities they cannot do.

Applying for a Dubai professional license as an individual is a pretty straightforward process. However, the documentary requirements, including the primary source verification of credentials, can be tedious and confusing. Modern typing  can help cut through the confusion and simplify the process.