List of Business Activities in UAE, Dubai | ANC Freezone (Ajman Nuventure Centre)

Before you start your UAE business setup, there’s one decision that matters more than people realise: picking the right business activity. At ANC Freezone (Ajman Nuventure Centre), your activity choice shapes your license type, what you’re allowed to do legally, and any extra approvals you might need. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. This guide makes it easy to explore the ANC Freezone business activities and to choose the right license in the UAE.

1. Introduction

If you are a founder, a freelancer, or a CEO looking at the UAE market in 2026, you are already aware that your business activity is the DNA of your company. The single most important choice you will make will define your legal playground, your banking access, and ultimately your freedom to pivot. In the very core of this landscape, the Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone has emerged as the ultimate player in the Freezone world, with a digital-first approach, fast, and flexible. Whether you are building a high-level consultancy or creating a drop-shipping empire, this guide is your map to navigating the list of business activities in Dubai via ANC.

We at Arnifi don’t just fill out forms; we sculpt your entry into the UAE. From selecting the right e-commerce license in Dubai to handling every bit of a trading license in Dubai, our team of experts ensures that your setup is compliant and high-performance. We handle PRO services, paperwork, and banking hurdles so your main focus is on scaling. If you are a dreamer building startups, SMEs, online businesses or an expat and want to bypass the red tape and launch with style, this guide is for you.

2. Understanding Business Activities in Dubai and the UAE

A business activity is officially legally defined as what a company is allowed to do in the UAE. It is the deciding factor of what you can invoice for, whether your business looks clean and credible to a bank, and what approvals you may require. This is why having an understanding of what business activities in Dubai matter before you choose your license type.

Various activities also shape the license route. If you’re selling something online, you will need an e-commerce license in Dubai, and similarly, if someone is handling import-export, distribution, or dealing in goods, they will need a trading license in Dubai. If someone gets this wrong, it’s not only inconvenient, but it can also create compliance rework later, which in turn slows down important processes like opening a corporate bank account.

At a higher level, you can choose between mainland, Freezone, and offshore setups. Businesses choose Mainland for broader operating freedom and full onshore market access. Founders prefer Freezones for faster processing, simpler packages, and founder-friendly structures. Companies use Offshore setups mainly for asset structuring or holding purposes, not daily UAE operations. So, for most founders, a Freezone setup like the Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone is the most practical way to go, especially when you want to speed up the process and avoid any chaos.

3. Why Choose Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone (ANC Freezone)

The Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone is not an average jurisdiction. It was built for a founder who demands speed. Imagine your trade licence in under two hours and a visa within 48 hours. That is the ANC Freezone standard. It is strategically located just outside Dubai, offering the same global prestige at a mere fraction of the cost, making it one of the most dependable and, in fact, the best Freezone for e-commerce licence in Dubai.

Another major advantage of the ANC Freezone is its remarkable flexibility when it comes to activity bundling. The authority allows the inclusion of up to 10 distinct business activities, all under a single license, without any tiered pricing structures, which you may find common in other jurisdictions. This is remarkably beneficial for businesses that are diversified, such as, say, a firm providing both specialised trading services and technical consultancy services. For international investors who are seeking a lean, innovation-oriented environment, ANC offers a superior regulatory home.

4. Complete List of Business Activities in ANC Freezone

ANC Freezone provides a comprehensive catalogue of over 3,500 approved activities. Strategic selection involves choosing a combination that supports your current operations while allowing for future diversification. The list of business activities in ANC Freezone is categorised as follows:

1. Trading Business Activities

For enterprises involved in the international movement of goods, the trading activities allowed in the ANC Freezone are extensive. Types of licenses may include General Trading Licenses, which provide general permission to deal with a variety of unrelated commodities, as well as Specialised Licenses based on sectors such as electronics, textiles, or heavy machinery. This license will, of course, encompass import and export privileges.

2. E-commerce & Online Business Activities

E-commerce business operations in the Dubai Freezone are among the burgeoning sectors in the Middle Eastern regions. ANC encourages various types of online business operations, which involve e-commerce portals, electronic markets, and the concept of drop-shipping. Moreover, the Freezone is a great destination for digital goods sales, including the distribution of licensed software, e-commerce educational materials, and SaaS products.

3. Professional & Service Activities

This category is tailored for experts providing specialised knowledge-based services. Standard activities include management consultancy, IT and software development, digital marketing, and business support services. Given ANC’s emphasis on technology, professional service licenses here carry significant credibility for firms operating in the tech and marketing sectors.

4. Industrial & Light Manufacturing

ANC also provides a framework for light industrial operations that do not require intensive environmental permitting. This includes the assembly of electronic components and specialised packaging services. For businesses that transform raw materials or components into finished consumer products, ANC provides an efficient regulatory environment for manufacturing.

5. E-commerce License in Dubai via ANC Freezone

An e-commerce license in Dubai is one of the most in-demand structures right now because modern business is an online-first approach. Through ANC Freezone, entrepreneurs and founders can build an e-commerce model that stays scalable, legal, and in alignment with expectations of the bank. An e-commerce license not only allows you to operate online selling workflows, such as launching an online marketplace or running a branded store, but it also helps you in selling products through various digital channels. This matters mostly for founders who want credibility with suppliers, consumers, and especially payment platforms.

The ANC framework is particularly advantageous because it accommodates a wide range of product categories under one umbrella. Many entrepreneurs consider ANC the best Freezone for an e-commerce license in Dubai because regional payment gateways and digital banks, such as Wio Bank, widely recognise its licenses. Whether your business model involves influencer-led retail or enterprise software distribution, ANC provides the necessary legal compliance to operate securely while maintaining competitive margins.

6. Trading License in Dubai through ANC Freezone

A trading license in Dubai is specifically designed for ventures involved in buying and selling goods, which include distribution, import and export models. Through ANC Freezone, trading founders are able to structure their operations with the correct approvals and coverage of their activity. There are various trading license types depending on how broad your business is. Some founders prefer single trading activity models so their operations stay focused, while others require multiple trading activities as they have wider catalogues. This is where understanding your product’s scope can prevent re-licensing later.

A trading license is required to support businesses building around sourcing and distributing goods. Hence, why import and export permissions matter when your supply chain crosses borders. Considerations regarding logistics and warehousing also become relevant as you scale up. That’s why many founders start lean and upgrade space later once their inventory volume is justifiable. If you are researching trading activities allowed in an ANC Freezone, the best approach is to pick activities that will support your current operations while keeping future expansion possible without creating any sort of confusion regarding compliance.

7. How to Choose the Right Business Activity & License

Determining how to choose business activity in Dubai requires a balance between your long-term objectives and your current operational needs. The answer is simple: start with your business model and not your brand’s identity. Your activity should match what you sell, how you expect to earn, and most importantly, how you deliver it.

Visa needs are also very important if you are planning to hire, sponsor team members or relocate them. Your license package should be able to support that growth part. Next comes scalability. Your activity selection should allow upgrades without forcing you to restructure the company every time you expand.

Many founders make the mistake of choosing vague activities or unrelated categories “just in case.” Others pick impressive options that don’t match their real operations. If you’re comparing the best Freezone for an e-commerce license in Dubai, ANC Freezone often stands out. It balances flexibility with cost control, while keeping the setup process efficient.

8. Process to Apply for a License in ANC Freezone

The freezone trading license Dubai process at ANC is engineered for maximum efficiency.

1. Trade Name Reservation: Choose a name following UAE regulations, avoiding prohibited words, religious expressions, or acronyms that do not correspond to the business name.
2. Document Submission: The basic set of documents usually entails a copy of your passport, a clear digital photocopy, and a photocopy of your current UAE visa or entry stamp.
3. Approval and Issuance: The ANC authority performs fast-track security and approval checks.

9. FAQs

Q) What types of business activities are allowed in Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone?
A) ANC supports a comprehensive list of over 3,500 activities across the trading, professional, e-commerce, and industrial sectors.

Q) Can I apply for an e-commerce license in Dubai through ANC Freezone?
A) Yes, ANC provides one of the most cost-efficient and rapidly processed e-commerce licenses in the UAE.

Q) What is the difference between a trading license in Dubai and an e-commerce license?
A) A trading license is designed for the import, export, and physical distribution of goods, whereas an e-commerce license is specifically for businesses selling via online platforms.

Q) Can multiple business activities be combined under one ANC Freezone license?
A) Yes, the authority allows for the inclusion of up to 10 activities on a single license, providing significant operational flexibility.

Q) How do I choose the right business activity when setting up a company in ANC Freezone?
A) Identify your primary revenue source and supplement it with related secondary activities to ensure the license supports both current operations and future growth.

10. Conclusion

The Ajman Nuventure Centre Freezone offers a high-speed solution for enterprises entering the UAE market. Choosing from the list of business activities in Dubai is definitely one of the most important decisions you will make during your company formation in the UAE. While staying compliant, flexible, and founder-friendly, and helping founders make quick decisions, ANC Freezone helps in many ways. 

Whether you’re planning an e-commerce license in Dubai or a trading license in Dubai, the selection of the right activity will make your journey smooth, quick, and bank-ready. If you want export help without delays, Arnifi can guide you from day one. We specialise in simplifying the market entry process and assist you in selecting the optimal activities, securing your license, and managing all subsequent visa and banking requirements. Let Arnifi manage your setup while you focus on building your business.