Cleaning Company Setup, Dubai, UAE

Reviewed by Shobhna Thapa, Legal Advisor

How to set up a cleaning company in Dubai, UAE

Trade licence, ISIC activity codes and Dubai Municipality registration, handled end to end.

DET Trade Licence ISIC 8120/8121/8129 MOHRE Compliant

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Setting up a cleaning company in Dubai requires a DET commercial services trade licence covering the right ISIC activity code, 8120 for general building cleaning, 8121 for specialised cleaning, or 8129 for other building and industrial cleaning, plus Dubai Municipality registration for equipment, chemical and waste handling standards. Home cleaning is typically treated as a distinct sub-niche from commercial and building cleaning. Setup costs vary by scale and visa quota, contact our team for a tailored quote.

Why It Matters

Why Dubai's cleaning sector is a reliable business opportunity

Demand for home cleaning, commercial building maintenance and post-construction cleaning keeps growing alongside Dubai's residential and commercial property market, and the barrier to entry is relatively low compared with many other trade licences. Getting your activity code, Dubai Municipality registration and MOHRE worker/visa quota right from the start means you can scale your team and win commercial contracts without compliance gaps.

Choosing Your Niche

Cleaning activity codes and specialisms

Home Cleaning (ISIC 8121)

A distinct sub-niche covering residential cleaning services, usually with individual cleaners or small teams.

Commercial Building Cleaning (ISIC 8120)

General cleaning contracts for offices, malls and commercial buildings, often involving larger crews.

Post-Construction Cleaning (ISIC 8129)

Specialised deep-cleaning of newly completed buildings before handover, with its own equipment and waste needs.

Dubai Municipality Registration

Required for equipment standards, chemical handling and waste disposal compliance.

Visa Quota and MOHRE Rules

Your premises size shapes your visa quota, and MOHRE sets accommodation standards for sponsored cleaning staff.

Insurance Cover

Liability insurance protects your business against damage or accident claims from cleaning contracts.

Before You Apply

Requirements you'll need to confirm

Activity Code

Confirm ISIC 8120, 8121, 8129, or a combination, matches your services.

Premises Size

Confirm office space supports your target visa quota and crew size.

Worker Accommodation

Plan MOHRE-compliant accommodation for sponsored cleaning staff.

Insurance

Arrange liability insurance before taking on commercial contracts.

Getting Started

Cleaning company setup: the step-by-step process

Choose Your Cleaning Niche

Decide between home, commercial or post-construction cleaning, or a combination.

Reserve Your Trade Name

Submit your preferred company name for approval.

Submit Your Licence Application

File your DET trade licence application with the correct ISIC activity codes.

Register With Dubai Municipality

Complete equipment, chemical and waste handling registration.

Secure Office Premises

Sign a tenancy contract sized to support your visa quota.

Arrange Worker Accommodation

Set up MOHRE-compliant accommodation for sponsored staff.

Get Insurance and Equipment Ready

Arrange liability insurance and cleaning equipment/vehicles.

Launch and Start Winning Contracts

Begin operating and pricing your services once all approvals are in place.

Budgeting

Requirements and cost

Item	Detail
Typical setup range	Varies by scale and visa quota, contact us for a tailored quote
Activity codes	ISIC 8120, 8121, 8129
Required approvals	DET trade licence, Dubai Municipality registration
Staffing compliance	MOHRE worker accommodation and visa quota rules
Recommended	Liability insurance for commercial contracts

No verified price figure is published for cleaning company setup, a custom quote is required. Confirm current pricing directly with our team before budgeting a total.

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Frequently Asked, and Ready When You Are

Cleaning company setup, answered, plus a direct line to our team

What licence do I need to start a cleaning company in Dubai?+

You need a commercial services trade licence from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), or a free zone equivalent, covering the specific cleaning activity codes relevant to your services, such as home cleaning, general building cleaning or post-construction cleaning.

What are ISIC codes 8120, 8121 and 8129 and why do they matter?+

These are International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) activity codes used on UAE trade licences: 8120 covers general cleaning of buildings, 8121 covers specialised cleaning activities, and 8129 covers other building and industrial cleaning activities. Choosing the correct code (or combination) ensures your licence actually covers the services you plan to offer.

Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for a cleaning company?+

Yes, cleaning companies, particularly those handling commercial or post-construction cleaning, generally need Dubai Municipality registration and approval covering equipment, chemical handling and waste disposal practices, in addition to your DET trade licence.

How does the visa quota work for a cleaning company?+

Your visa quota (the number of employment visas your company can sponsor) is tied to your office or facility size and approved by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) alongside MOHRE labour approvals. Cleaning companies with larger cleaning crews often need bigger premises specifically to support a higher visa quota.

What are MOHRE's worker accommodation rules for cleaning staff?+

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) sets standards for worker accommodation, covering space, hygiene and safety, that cleaning companies sponsoring labour-camp housed staff must comply with, alongside standard employment contract and wage protection system (WPS) requirements.

Is home cleaning a separate business from commercial cleaning?+

Home cleaning is often treated as its own sub-niche with a dedicated activity code and staffing model (individual cleaners or small teams visiting private residences), distinct from commercial and building cleaning, which involves larger contracts, bigger crews and different equipment and insurance needs.

How much does it cost to set up a cleaning company in Dubai?+

Setup costs covering your trade licence, activity codes and Dubai Municipality registration depend on your scale, number of activities and visa quota, so there is no single fixed figure. Contact our team for a tailored quote.

Talk to an advisor

Send your details and our team will reply with next steps and a tailored quote.

+971 52 960 4444 hidubai@smartzonesuae.com 11th Floor, Suite No. 1108, Silver Tower, Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.

Ready to Start Your Cleaning Company?

Get your cleaning company licensed the right way, first time

Call now or send your details above. Our advisory team will confirm your activity codes and licence requirements, free of charge.