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Company Formation in Dubai UAE

The setting up of a new company is called Company Formation or Company Registration. The United Arab Emirates controls the whole process of company formation through its corporate law.

A company in UAE can be formed in any of the following three ways:

  • Mainland – The licensing authority in mainland is the Department of Economic Development of the respective emirates.
  • Free Zone – In Free Zones, the relevant Free Zone Authority will be the licensing authority
  • Offshore – Offshore Authority is the licensing authority in case of Offshore jurisdiction

Types of Business License:

Business Licenses issued in United Arab Emirates (UAE) depends on the business activity of the company and it can be one of the following:

  • Professional – The professional license covers services offered by professionals, artisans and craftsmen
  • Commercial – the commercial license covers all trading and commercial activities performed with an intention of making profit
  • Industrial – the industrial license covers all industrial and manufacturing activities

Tourism –The tourism license covers all activities related to hospitality & tourism.

Why Set Up Your Business in the UAE?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a popular destination for businesses to establish their operations due to its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and business-friendly policies. However, choosing the right business licensing option can be confusing for entrepreneurs. In this blog, we will compare the three main business licensing options in the UAE: Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore.

Documents Required For Business Set Up In Dubai

Documents required (for Individual shareholder):

  • Minimum 5 suggested Company names
  • Clear Passport copy of Shareholder(s) and/or Manager.
  • Color copy of your UAE entry stamp or the latest Visa copy of the Shareholder(s) and/or Manager
  • Passport size photo with white background.

Documents required (for corporate shareholder):

  • Apostilled copy of Memorandum / Article of Incorporation (Attested by UAE embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs UAE)
  • Apostilled copy of incorporation certificate Attested by UAE embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs UAE)
  • Apostilled copy of resolution by the board to open an LLC in UAE and appointing a manager to manage business Attested by UAE embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs UAE)
  • Lease agreement of the foreign company members (Natural persons) Attested by UAE embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs UAE)

Time Taken to Set Up Your Company in the UAE

License can be issued in 5 – 7 business days (after submitting the valid documents) for individual shareholders and for corporate shareholder it will be additional 10-20 working days to most of the licenses.

Our Business Set Up Zones

Criteria Mainland Company Free Zone Company Offshore Company
Ownership 🀝 πŸ’Ό 100% foreign ownership allowed πŸ’Ό 100% foreign ownership allowed πŸ’Ό 100% foreign ownership allowed
Business Activities 🏒 🌍 Can operate anywhere in the UAE 🚧 Restricted to free zone operations ❌ Cannot conduct business in the UAE
Customs Regulations πŸ›ƒ πŸ›ƒ Subject to UAE customs regulations πŸ“¦ May have separate customs regulations ❌ Cannot engage in local trade activities
Office Space 🏒 🏒 Can choose any location in the UAE πŸšͺ Must lease within the free zone ❌ No physical office presence required
Taxes πŸ’° πŸ’Έ Subject to corporate and income taxes πŸ†“ Generally exempt from taxes πŸ†“ Generally exempt from taxes
Repatriation of Profits πŸ’Έ πŸ’Έ Full repatriation of profits allowed πŸ’Έ Full repatriation of profits allowed πŸ’Έ Full repatriation of profits allowed
Employment/Visa Restrictions πŸ‘₯ πŸ‘₯ Can hire locally and internationally πŸ‘₯ Limited to hiring within the free zone ❌ Cannot hire employees in the UAE no visas issued in UAE.

Our Process – Set up a new company with our fast and simple process.

  1. Identify the Nature of Your Business Activity. …
  2. Determine Your Company’s Legal Structure. …
  3. Register the Trade Name. …
  4. Apply for Initial Approval. …
  5. Create LSA or MOA. …
  6. Choose Your Business Location. …
  7. Apply for Additional Government Approvals.
  8. Payment voucher
  9. Trade license issuance

Business Setup Services in Dubai, UAEΒ  Β  Β  Β Β 

βœ… Business Setup in Dubai Mainland

βœ… UAE Free Zone Company Formation

βœ… UAE Offshore Company Formation

βœ… Patent Registrations

βœ… Company Liquidation

βœ… Corporate PRO Services

βœ… Golden Visas Services

βœ… New & Renewal of Trade Licenses

βœ… Ejari (Corporate & Individual)

βœ… Legal Translation & Typing Services

βœ… Certificate Attestations

βœ… New Emirates ID & Medical

βœ… Government Approvals & NOCs

βœ… Legalization & Notarization

βœ… Immigration & Establishment Card

Statistics – Design Only

5+Years of Experience

25+ Team Members

3500+ Business Set Up

100% Customer Satisfactions

Advantages set up a business in Dubai

What are the advantages of setting up a business in Dubai?

  1. Strategic Location:

– Crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

  1. Tax Benefits:

– No personal/corporate income tax, no capital gains tax.

  1. Infrastructure and Connectivity:

– World-class facilities for transportation, communication, and energy.

  1. Business-Friendly Policies:

– Minimal bureaucracy, pro-business environment.

  1. Free Zones:

– 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, duty exemptions.

  1. Cultural Diversity:

– Cosmopolitan population for global connections.

  1. Stable Economy:

– Driven by tourism, real estate, and trade.

  1. Quality of Life:

– High quality of life, safe environment, diverse leisure options.

Our Company Set Up Packages

  1. Mainland
  2. Free Zone
  3. Offshore

It will be changed as per the jurisdiction and business activity

The common legal forms of business in Mainland, Free zone and Offshore formation in the UAE are:

Sole proprietorship

Civil Company

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Partnership

Private Share Holding Company

Public Share Holding Company

Branch of Foreign Companies / Representative Office

Branch of GCC companies

Branch of Free zone company

Branch of Dubai based companies

Branch of UAE based companies

Fact: In commercial & industrial licenses, 51% shares are owned by a UAE National (referred to as local sponsor/partner) and 49% shares are held by the expat partner. In professional license, 100% shares are owned by expat partner and an UAE national is appointed as a Local Service Agent.

For foreign investors to establish a business entity in UAE in one of the 45+Β Free trade zonesΒ (FTZs) is an attractive option. The key benefit of setting up a company in a free zone is that there is no UAE national shareholding required and the companies can operate within the free zone boundaries carrying out business activities as mentioned in the license. All free zones in UAE offer the following incentives:

100% foreign ownership of the enterprises

100% cent import and export tax exemptions

100% repatriation of capital and profits

No currency
restrictions

Corporate tax exemption for 15 years, renewable for an additional 15 years

No personal
income taxes

Company can obtain UAE residence visas for the director, shareholder and also employees of the company through the Free Zone where it is registered

Registered company can lease minimum office space within that particular Free Zone

Spectrum Audit is an expert in the Company Formation process. Reach us to have a frills free life in your journey in Dubai or any of the Emirates in UAE. We at Spectrum will assist you in taking care of all the legal procedures involved in the registration process of your company whether in the mainland or any free zone. Reach us today for any kind of assistance,

call us at +971 4 2699329 or email us atΒ  [email protected] to get all your queries addressed. Spectrum is your partner in your success.

FAQ's

A company formation service helps individuals and companies set up businesses in Dubai by navigating legal requirements, registering the company, obtaining licenses, and setting up bank accounts.

With our company formation service, we can set up businesses Mainland companies, Free Zone Companies, Offshore Companies in UAE.

Yes, Our company formation services are particularly valuable for foreign investors as we provide guidance on regulations and requirements for foreign investment in UAE/Dubai.

Yes, companies in mainland Dubai must be licensed by the Department of Economic Development, and they may require additional approvals based on the services they offer. Free zone companies, on the other hand, are regulated by the respective free zone authorities.

Our company formation service considers your business activities, goals, and requirements to provide advice on whether setting up in the mainland or a free zone is more suitable for you.

The cost varies based on complexity, license type, and specific services required. It's advisable to obtain quotes from different providers.

Yes, our company formation services guide clients through local business customs, laws, and regulations to help them operate effectively and avoid legal complications.

With our company formation service, it generally takes 1-4 weeks, including consultation, document preparation, and approval from authorities.

Yes, we offer assistance with opening bank accounts, including document preparation and arranging meetings with banks.

Yes, our company formation services provide additional support like accounting, tax consulting, visa applications, staff recruitment, and more.

Consider your target market, budget, and competition. Dubai Marina, Business Bay, and DIFC are popular districts. Evaluate accessibility and amenities.

These experts navigate legalities, licensing, and regulations, saving time and ensuring compliance with local laws during business establishment in Dubai.

Golden Visa: Long-term residency for investors and skilled professionals. Regular Visas: Include tourist, employment, and dependent visas, sponsored by a local entity or family.

Processing Times: Variesβ€”tourist visas take days, employment visas weeks. Fees: Dependent on visa type and duration. Check with authorities or consultants for current rates.

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