At Dubiz, we understand the complexities & challenges of establishing a business in UAE’s evolving landscape. Our suite of expert business setup services is specially designed to support your venture at every stage, from inception to expansion.
At Dubiz, we understand the complexities & challenges of establishing a business in UAE’s evolving landscape. Our suite of expert business setup services is specially designed to support your venture at every stage, from inception to expansion.
Looking to establish a business abroad? Look no further than Dubai. As one of the UAE’s most populous and advanced cities, Dubai offers a thriving economy, cutting-edge infrastructure, and many advantages for entrepreneurs. More than 19,000 new companies became members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce during Q1 2024, representing a YoY growth of 17.6%. However, if you want to start a business in Dubai, you need careful planning, thorough research, meticulous documentation, budgeting, and decision-making, among other things. This process can be tedious and time-consuming, involving multiple steps and critical considerations.
But you need not worry! This blog will provide all the essential steps and insights you need to start a business in Dubai successfully.
Dubai’s welcoming atmosphere and strategic location make it a prime business destination. Benefits of starting a business in Dubai include:
It is worth noting that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted a stronger growth trajectory for the UAE economy next year compared to 2023 and 2024. This projected higher growth makes it even more attractive for entrepreneurs to launch new businesses in Dubai.
Setting up a business in Dubai does not need to be difficult, provided you are well-informed about the intricacies involved.
To start a business in Dubai, follow these steps:
Start by selecting the business activities you wish to pursue. The nature of these activities will determine the type of license you will require. UAE trade licenses are of 6 types: occupational, tourism, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and professional. Dubai offers a range of sectors to consider, including finance, education, retail, hospitality, and media.
The Emirates offers three jurisdictions: mainland, free zone and offshore. Each economic zone has its own set of laws and regulations regarding business setup and permitted activities. The type of jurisdiction that you choose will depend on your business needs, activities chosen, license needed, etc.
Legal compliance, effective taxes, liability protection, operational flexibility, and general business performance depend on a strong corporate structure. The structure you choose for your company will depend on your business needs. The UAE offers several business structures under various economic zones, some of them including:
Choose an appropriate trade name for your business in Dubai. The UAE has strict conventions and regulations that you need to follow. To get the necessary approvals from the DED or specific authorities, make sure your name:
Securing initial approval from DED means that the UAE government has no objections to you starting a business in the country. This approval lets you proceed with the business setup process and get the license. However, it doesn’t permit you actually to run the business or carry out business activities. There are a few more steps that you need to take.
If your company is a civil, limited liability, public shareholding, or private company, then a Memorandum of Association (MOA) is required to start a business in Dubai. As you progress through the application process, it’s important to ensure that essential documents like the MOA and AOA are duly notarised. A local service agent agreement (LSA) may also be required for sole proprietorship.
Whether you require a local sponsor in Dubai depends on your business’s nature and the industry you wish to enter. In Dubai’s mainland, certain sectors mandate a local sponsor, while others permit full foreign ownership. A reliable and trustworthy local sponsor is essential to start a business in Dubai successfully. At DUBIZ, we specialise in facilitating the process of finding a suitable local sponsor for your venture.
Considering the needs of your business, you have several options for office space in Dubai, ranging from flexi desks to shared workplaces. Once you have found the right space, register your tenancy contract, known as “Ejari,” through the Dubai Land Department’s Ejari portal. Ejari is an agreement between you and the real estate agency for the office unit or shared workspace you plan to lease. This agreement is crucial for company registration. Alternatively, opting for a virtual office is also a viable option.
In certain instances, obtaining additional approvals from relevant government entities is necessary for specific business operations in Dubai. For example, legal activities and consultations typically require approval from the Ministry of Justice, while health-related ventures may need clearance from local health departments.
Finally, submit the required documents and pay the necessary fees to obtain your trade license. The documents required for business license in Dubai typically includes:
After successful application, you can collect the business license from the economic department’s service centres or through its website.
Please note that additional documents may be required depending on your jurisdiction.
Once you have secured your license and documents back, it’s time to open a corporate bank account. Dubai hosts a huge number of banks, both domestic and international. You will need to provide your business license, shareholders’ passport copies, and other documents required by the bank.
The final step involves immigration and visa processing. If you or your employees require visas to live and work in the UAE, initiate the visa application process. This often involves medical testing and the submission of passport copies, photos, and other relevant documents.
It should be noted that the process for setting up a business in Dubai can vary depending on the specific requirements of the business activity and the jurisdiction (mainland or free zone). To seek further guidance, please contact us at DUBIZ.
If you want to start a business in Dubai then you should familiarise yourself with starting a business in Dubai. The cost of starting a new business in Dubai varies depending on which type of UAE business jurisdiction it falls under and the nature of its operations:
Setting up your business involves various costs, such as license fees, registration fees, visa application charges, office space expenses, share capital, UAE visa renewal charges, DED fees, typing charges, and more.
Contact our experts at DUBIZ for a detailed breakdown of costs tailored to your needs.
Dubai is the land of dreams. However, the process required to start a business in Dubai can feel overwhelming, given the numerous formalities and steps involved. That’s where DUBIZ comes in as your trusted partner. Our company formation experts walk you through each step. From selecting an office space to obtaining a trade license, we streamline the entire process, allowing you to concentrate on the success of your business.
Let’s launch your business together!
Contact DUBIZ today at +971 562986853 or WhatsApp us at +971 569973630. You can also drop an email at info@dubiz.co for any inquiries.
Dubai is extremely startup-friendly courtesy of its business-friendly environment, tax incentives, and government support. More than 19,000 new companies became members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce during Q1 2024, representing YoY growth of 17.6%.
The most popular businesses in Dubai include transportation and logistics, healthcare and medical services, commerce, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, tourism and hospitality, fintech and IT solutions.
Starting a new business in Dubai usually takes 4-5 working days. However, it depends upon certain variables, such as the type of company formation, license and documentation needed, etc.
Starting a business in Dubai costs around AED 11,000 to AED 24,000 for mainland registration, depending on whether a residence visa is included. Free zone setup ranges from AED 6,000 to AED 17,900, while offshore registration typically costs around AED 15,500.
Yes, you can own 100% of your business in free zones and through the DED license framework. Certain activities on the mainland also allow 100% ownership.
To start a business in Dubai free zone, you can follow these simple steps:
