ISIC classification

The International Standard Industrial Classification, the United Nations system from which UAE activity lists are derived. Each emirate and free zone extends the ISIC base with its own numbering, so the same activity carries different codes in different jurisdictions.

Where it comes up

ISIC is the United Nations classification from which UAE activity lists derive. Each emirate and each free zone extends the ISIC base with its own numbering, which is why the same activity carries different codes in Dubai, Sharjah and DMCC.

What it costs

No cost. The relevance is that it determines your licence category and therefore your fees.

Who it applies to

Every licensed company. The ISIC section is stable; the emirate-level numeric code is not.

How it actually goes

1. Understand what it isThe United Nations' International Standard Industrial Classification, Revision 4 — a global taxonomy of economic activity used for statistics and, here, for licensing.
2. Find the sectionA single letter, from A for agriculture to U for extraterritorial bodies. This part is stable and comparable internationally.
3. Pick from the authority's listEach emirate and free zone maintains its own activity list derived from ISIC and extended with local numbering. You choose from that list, not from ISIC itself.
4. Confirm at filingNumbering is revised continually, and the same activity can carry different codes in Dubai, Sharjah and a free zone. The code is confirmed against the current schedule at submission.

The activity you select determines the licence category, which regulators must approve you, and whether a bank thinks your invoices match your licence. It is the most consequential dropdown in the whole application.

In short

• ISIC Rev. 4 is the base used across the UAE
• Emirate and free zone codes extend it
• Confirm the specific code with the authority — lists are revised continually

Where this leads

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