Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Recruitment Agency Setup, Dubai, UAE
A recruitment agency needs a MOHRE-regulated licence, not a standard commercial one, plus a decision between a temporary recruitment licence and a brokerage licence. Here's how the two fit together.
Free, no-obligation consultation on licence type, requirements and cost.
Starting a recruitment agency in Dubai needs a MOHRE-regulated recruitment licence in addition to your standard commercial trade licence. Agencies typically choose between a temporary recruitment licence, where you act as an employer of record placing candidates directly, and a brokerage licence, where you connect candidates and employers without direct employment. Both carry MOHRE conditions including a required bank guarantee, so confirm which structure fits your business model and get an itemized cost breakdown before you commit.
Why It Matters
Recruitment in the UAE is regulated by MOHRE, not just the DED, and agencies typically choose between a temporary recruitment licence, placing candidates directly with employers, and a brokerage licence, connecting candidates and employers without direct employment. The two carry different conditions, bank guarantees and permitted activities, so pick based on your actual business model, not just cost.
The Case For Dubai
Dubai's status as a regional hiring hub gives recruitment agencies access to a deep, multinational candidate pool across sectors.
Choose the licence structure, temporary recruitment or brokerage, that actually matches how your agency will work with candidates and employers.
No local UAE sponsor or partner required for recruitment and HR consultancy activities.
Keep more of what your business earns, with no personal income tax in the UAE.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Beyond the Trade Licence
Recruitment activity is regulated separately from your standard commercial trade licence.
A required financial guarantee condition tied to your licence type and category.
A physical office is typically required to meet MOHRE's licensing conditions.
Temporary recruitment vs brokerage licence carry different conditions and permitted activities.
Getting Started
Decide between temporary recruitment (employer of record) and brokerage (connector-only).
Mainland for direct placement activity; free zone for HR consultancy/advisory.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
MOHRE recruitment licensing typically requires a physical office.
Submit your recruitment-specific application alongside your trade licence.
Set up the required financial guarantee for your licence category.
Issued once trade licence and MOHRE approval are both complete.
Begin operating and note your annual renewal requirements.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commercial trade licence | Confirmed per jurisdiction and activity scope |
| MOHRE recruitment licence fee | Separate fee on top of the trade licence, category-dependent |
| Bank guarantee | Required by MOHRE, amount depends on licence type and category |
| Office requirement | Physical office typically required for MOHRE recruitment licensing |
| Corporate tax | Standard UAE mainland corporate tax rules apply, confirm with a tax advisor |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Costs vary by licence type and category. Get an itemized breakdown directly from MOHRE and your licensing authority before budgeting a total project cost.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment