Discover which business activities are not eligible for 100% foreign ownership.
Although Dubai companies with full foreign ownership can engage in most activities, certain categories are restricted from this privilege. Before initiating the business setup process, please review the list of these restricted activities below and plan accordingly.
If you intend to establish a company involved in one or more of these activities, partnering with a local sponsor will be necessary.
Activities not permitted for 100% foreign ownership
Security and defense activities and activities of a military nature
- Military Garments Manufacturing
- Military Men Clothing & Uniforms Tailoring
- Medium Military Weapons Manufacturing
- Metal Badges & Military Insignia Manufacturing
- Military Tools & Supplies Manufacturing
- Dismantling & Destroying Equipment & Military Weapons
- Military Dress Trading
- Military Weapons Trading
- Military Equipment Trading
- Military Ammunition, Explosives & Pyrotechnic Products Trading
- Military Scrap Trading
- Military Tools & Supplies Trading
- Military Vehicles & Equipment Spare Parts Trading
- Naval & land Unexploded Ordnance & Mines Disposal
- Light Military Weapons Manufacturing
- Military Heavy Weapons Manufacturing
- Military Ammunition Manufacturing
- Explosives & Pyrotechnic Products Manufacturing
- Building of Military Ships
- Military Aircrafts Manufacturing
- Toughened & Laminated Flat Glass Manufacturing
- Propellant Powders Manufacturing
- Radar Equipment Manufacturing
- Military Plants Equipment Manufacturing
- Military Ballistic & Guided Missiles Manufacturing
- Military Fighting Vehicles Manufacturing
- Tanks Manufacturing
- Armoured Amphibious Military Vehicles Manufacturing
- Military Remote-Control Systems Manufacture
- Sensors & Military Communication Systems Manufacturing
- Plating Machinery & Vehicles
- Military Equipment Repair & Maintenance
- Military Aircrafts Repair & Maintenance
- Military Ships Repair & Maintenance
- Military Reality-Based Training
- Defence & Security Companies’ Representation
- Military Consultancy
- Defence & Surveillance Systems Development
- Missiles & weapons Technology Development
- Military Aircrafts Safety & Protection Systems Development
- Military Technology Research & Development
- Control & Command Systems Development
Banks, exchange, financing, insurance and bank note or coin production
- Commercial Bank
- Islamic Bank
- Credit & Finance Bank
- Investment Bank
- Savings Bank
- Wholesale Bank
- Digital Wallet for Electronic Payments
- Hawala Brokers Services
- Real Estate Financing
- Industrial Financing
- Agricultural Financing
- E-Finance
- Consumer Loans of Consumer Credit
- Financing Operations
- Accidents & Civil Liabilities Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Credit & Saving Insurance
- Fire Insurance
- Theft Insurance
- Work Compensation Insurance
- Motor, Marine, Aviation & Transport Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Mechanical Failure Insurance
- Other types of insurance
- Reinsurance
- Reinsurance
- Life Reinsurance
- Money Exchangers
- Money Orders & Travellers Cheques Exchangers
- Remittance of Local & Foreign Currencies
- E-Banking
- Insurance Actuaries
- Insurance Broker
- Insurance Agent
- Banknotes Printing
- Coin Minting
Telecommunications
- Radio Broadcasting Station
- Wired Telecommunications Services
- Operating & Maintaining Switching & Transmission Facilities
- Cable Distribution & Data & Television Signals Operation
- Television & Radio Broadcasting Via Encrypted & Open Channels
- Wireless Telecommunications Services
- Satellite Communications Services
- Satellite Ground Station
Other categories
- Commercial Agencies
- Hajj & Umrah Organizing
- Holy Quran Recitation Institute
- Fish Catching
- Natural Pearl Catching
- Marine Animals Catching
