Dubai has introduced new rules to regulate engineering consultancy firms under Law No. (14) of 2025, issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The law mandates that all engineering disciplines — including architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and others — obtain proper authorization and registration with Dubai Municipality.
It is illegal to offer or claim to offer consulting services without a valid trade license and registration detailing the firm’s classification, technical staff, and scope. Firms are also barred from exceeding licensed activities, hiring unregistered engineers, or contracting unlicensed entities.
Dubai’s new law defines five types of engineering consultancy offices: local companies, UAE-based branches with at least three years’ experience, foreign branches with ten years’ experience, joint ventures between local and foreign offices, and specialised advisory or audit offices. It outlines registration procedures, validity, classifications, and obligations, including rules for technical staff.
Dubai Municipality will launch a unified electronic system linked to the “Invest in Dubai” platform for registrations and competency certification. A permanent committee will oversee regulation and development.
Violations may incur fines up to Dh100,000 and penalties such as suspension, downgrading, or licence cancellation. Offenders can appeal within 30 days. Consultancy offices must regularise their status within a year. The law takes effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette.
