Company registration
in Dubai, UAE
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UAE being the center point of world commerce offers a host of advantages like low or no taxes, technology advanced community, free trade zones, strict levels of confidentiality, and rapid development making it the best choice for doing business.
There is no doubt that Dubai is one of the biggest ever-growing economic hubs of the Middle East. Business owners will get a highly lucrative environment to experience the valuable benefits of 100% foreign ownership, up-scaled business infrastructure, a high-class lifestyle, and greater business opportunities.
However, starting a company in Dubai could be a time-consuming and complex process, especially for beginners, who don’t have proper knowledge and planning of their business activities. The government of Dubai has instilled strict measures to qualify for company registration in Dubai. But with proper guidance and understanding of legal terms and facts, your company gets legal within 24 hours.
Registering a company in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates allows you to experience the profitable business environment by taking advantage of the great benefits of the United Arab Emirates.
It is a popular choice amongst international investors establishing a company with 100% foreign ownership, ease of doing business, e-governance system, top-class lifestyle, tax savings, up-scaled business infrastructure, and growing business timeliness.
Investors can choose from a variety of corporate registration options in the region. In this guide, we will cover every aspect of Company registration in Dubai so that you can smoothly head into a business acquisition in Dubai.
Business registration is Dubai is not difficult. Government authorities provide detailed steps on how to register a company in Dubai, UAE. Here are all the major steps for new company registration in Dubai and the UAE are listed below:
To register a business, the investor must first select the type of license (trade, industrial, and/or professional) for the Dubai mainland.
The investor has to choose a business activity like trading, service, restaurant, etc.
After choosing a suitable activity, the investor needs to select the proper legal structure, i.e., sole establishment, Civil partnership, Limited liability Company (LLC).
Businesses can apply for employment permits for their workers; this process requires employers to submit their residence visa status within a time period of 30 days after the employee’s entry into the UAE.
Choose your office location and get a lease agreement. There are multiple options available like share desk, virtual office, flexi-desk office, shared office, and standard office. The government also provides an instant business license. The investor can take up an office only from the second year onwards and does not need an office space in the first year.
File company documents with the Department for Economic Development (DED) and obtain trade license and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Make the company stamp.
Submit your company license to the immigration department to issue either a Partner Visa or an Investor Visa for the company owner. You will also need to register your company license with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE). Finally, you can apply for employee visas under the company sponsorship.
Setting up a company in Dubai and the the UAE requires a business license for conducting your activities legally with peace of mind. However, when your license expires you are always required to renew your company license before its expiration to avoid any fines and penalties.
This license enables businesses to import, export, distribute, and store goods as specified in the license in Dubai.
An industrial license is required for businesses manufacturing goods or producing other products.
Businesses like accounting and consulting need a special license. It's called a professional license.
Businesses like hotels, and tour operators need a tourism license to operate in tourism.
Looking to register your company in Dubai? The cost varies depending on several factors. Primarily, it hinges on the nature of your business, the number of shareholders involved, visa requirements, and your chosen jurisdiction. Dubai and or UAE offers enticing packages, particularly in its free zones, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs. One significant advantage is the absence of a minimum capital requirement, whether you opt for mainland or free zone registration.
In free zones, the cost of company registration starts from AED 12,500/- while in Dubai mainland, it begins at AED 14,500. What makes starting a company in Dubai even more appealing are the unique benefits it offers. These include hassle-free setup procedures, no need for a local UAE sponsor, and relatively lower compliance requirements compared to other Countries in the world. This combination of factors makes Dubai and UAE an ideal choice for foreigners looking to establish their business ventures.
Registering a company in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates allows you to experience the profitable business environment by taking advantage of the great benefits of the United Arab Emirates.
It is a popular choice amongst international investors establishing a company with 100% foreign ownership, ease of doing business, e-governance system, top-class lifestyle, tax savings, up-scaled business infrastructure, and growing business timeliness.
Investors can choose from a variety of corporate registration options in the region. In this guide, we will cover every aspect of Company registration in Dubai so that you can smoothly head into a business acquisition in Dubai.
| Type of Company to License in Dubai | Costs starts from |
|---|---|
| Sole Establishment Registration | AED 14,150*/- |
| Civil Partnership Registration | AED 18,650*/- |
| LLC Company Registration | AED 22,150*/- |
| Branch Office in Dubai | As per Requirement |
Setting up a company in Dubai and the the UAE requires a business license for conducting your activities legally with peace of mind. However, when your license expires you are always required to renew your company license before its expiration to avoid any fines and penalties.
DED (Department of Economic Development) registration is necessary for Dubai mainland company registration. A company formed in mainland can engage in any industry, commerce, professional, or tourism. According to the DED procedural rules, companies require authorities’ approval for business regulation. Foreign investors can acquire 100% ownership of their business settled in the UAE Mainland.
There are 45+ freezones in the UAE and 8000+ companies in freezones. The UAE Freezone is a designated UAE area where expatriates can fully own and operate their business at an affordable registration fee. Dubai Freezone company registration is a potential business investment for expatriates worldwide.
Offshore companies in UAE are also considered as “paper” companies. Such entities are a wholly foreign-owned limited liability company. In general, these offshore companies incorporate within the countries that impose little or no tax on their capital gains. The United Arab Emirates is a preferred offshoring destination for various businesses.
Dubai allows many different types of businesses. You’re likely to find what you like, such as trading, services, manufacturing, technology, or more. You can do your business on the mainland or in a free zone for your industry.
In Dubai, both Mainland and free zones allow foreign investors to fully own (100%) their businesses without a local partner. However, there are some specific business activities on the UAE mainland that require a local partner. In such cases, the local partner will hold a majority share, typically at least 51% of the company.
Registering a company in Dubai is easy. It usually takes 1-2 weeks. The time needed can change based on the chosen free zone, business type, document completion, and other factors.
Trading within the UAE is not allowed for companies in Dubai’s free zones. But, if they want to do business outside these zones, they must appoint local distributors. On the other hand, all companies on the mainland can operate anywhere in the UAE. They don’t need local distributors.
The UAE lets people set up businesses in the mainland or free zones. The cost of setting up a business in both areas is based on many factors. It includes license fees, office space, government charges, and visas. Your business activities and company size also affect costs. So, make sure you research and plan well to figure out your exact expenses for your business.
In corporate tax rules, a UAE company’s branch in the UAE is seen as one ‘taxable entity.’ But, a ‘free zone entity’ includes a branch of a UAE company in a free zone.
‘One touch’ Golden visa service is a comprehensive service designed to simplify the application and the renewal process for a Golden residence visa, saving the applicants’ time and effort.
The service will assist the applicants with their applications for the visa, issuance of other visas, regularisation of status, the issuance of residency and identity documents, and renewing all of these in one step.
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