Company Registration in Dubai, UAE

A business idea may be simple to explain but making it legal will require the help of a company registration consultant like us. Our entire process of company registration in Dubai is tailor-made to suit the unique needs of each business or office setup.

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.

How to Register a Company in Dubai

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.

Steps of Company Registration in Dubai

• Choose your license type

  To register a business, the investor must first select the type of license (trade, industrial, and/or professional) for the Dubai mainland.

• Select your business activity

  The investor has to choose a business activity like trading, service, restaurant, etc.

• Choose your legal structure

  After choosing a suitable activity, the investor needs to select the proper legal structure, i.e., sole establishment, Civil partnership, Limited liability Company (LLC).

• Get your Local agent

  Choose a local UAE national either as a local agent or sponsor for the company. Only required for a professional business.

• Register the trade name of the business

  Submit the company registration application and the proposed company name to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for initial approval. Notarize the company’s Memorandum of Association either in notary public or at Department of economic development (E notary). This step is crucial as the name you choose has to be appropriate.

• Select your office location Physical or Virtual

  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.

• Get your company documents

  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.

• Get your visa issuance

  Register a company license in the immigration department. Issue a partner or Investor visa for the owner of the company. Register a company license in the Ministry Of Human Resource And Emiratization (MOHRE). Apply for the employee visa under the company.

Types of Company licenses in Dubai

1. Commercial License: This license is for the company that engages in any commercial activity. You can learn more about commercial license in Dubai and its benefits.
2. Industrial License: This license is for the company that engages in manufacturing or industrial activities.
3. Professional License: This license is for service providers, professionals, and artists.

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.

The Cost of Company Registration in Dubai

Due to low logistics and operational costs in Dubai, any business registration is not expensive at all. For any foreign/offshore company, no minimum capital is required. However,  the cost of company registration in Dubai is AED 10,000 (USD 2,700).

Dubai company registration cost varies as per your choice of business. Services License Fee, Trading License Fee, and General Trading License Fee are the three major categories for LLC company registration.

For Services License Fee, sole establishment costs AED 15,150, and Civil Company costs AED 18,650. Dubai LLC company registration costs AED 22,150 for Trading License & AED 37,250 for opening a branch of a foreign company.

Company Registration Cost for Each Legal Structure

Type of company to register in Dubai	Registration cost AED
sole establishment Registration	15 150
Civil Partnership Registration	18 650
LLC company registration	22 150
Branch Office in Dubai	37 250

 

Learn more about the cost of mainland vs freezone company registration so that you can have a clear picture of how much you need to spend while registering a company in Dubai generally regardless of your business legal structure.

Documents Required During Company Registration in Dubai

Following are the documents required during business registration in Dubai:

• Application form
• Passport Copy
• 2 Photographs (white background)
• NOC if already in UAE residency visa
• Tenancy Contract Copy
• Location Map
• Designation Details: Higher Designation Requires Degree Certificate (Attested)

Types of Companies Registration in Dubai?

Once a company is registered with a competent authority, it creates a smooth and seamless path to enter the Dubai or UAE market and grow without encountering operational or legal issues. The right to register a license is entirely dependent on your business plan, business type, target market, financial goals, and initial budget. You can choose among three types of registration.

Mainland Company Registration

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. Alternatively, they can go with 100% private business ownership.

Shareholders are required to complete constitutional documents and processes, including the appointment of a manager under the Articles of Incorporation (MOA) or service contract, for a limited or permanent period. On the mainland, the company must have at least one manager and up to five managers.

Freezone Company Registration

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. The UAE Freezone has become a significant commercial hub in the region resulting in business promotion initiatives provided by the UAE Government and Freezone Authorities.

Features such as business freedom and lack of tax sovereignty make the UAE Free Zone a unique and premier place to start a business. Besides this, the exact depends on the company’s legal structure, and of course, the chosen free zone. The costs for registering a company in a Dubai-free zone are not exceptionally varied; it is usually around the range of AED 9,000 to AED 12,000.

Offshore Company Registration

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.

Establishing an offshore company in UAE is one of the affordable ways to grow your foreign business without causing much burden.

Mainland Company vs Freezone Company Registration

Category	Mainland Company Registration	Freezone Company Registration
Ownership	Dubai mainland company provides complete control for your enterprise, but for this purpose entrepreneurs need a local sponsor.	Business setup in Dubai free zone offers 100% foreign ownership.
Business Scale	Companies settled in the United Arab Emirates have no restrictions on a business scale. Companies can do business anywhere in Dubai.	Compared to mainland facilities, free zone companies can only operate within areas designated as free zones. If they want to do business in the local market, they need a local dealer or agent for assistance.
Workspace	The minimum annual rental space requirement is 200 square feet for mainland businesses.	Companies in the Free Zone do not necessarily require physical office space. Depending on the activity or industry, there may not be an office.
Visa Facility	There are no visa restrictions on mainland licenses.	Each free zone license includes 2 visas in the Smart Office package, which is different because different free zones in the UAE allow 36 visas for this package. If you need more visas, you can get different visas because you have to rent a physical office or warehouse.
Government Approval	The Mainland Company license requires standard government approval to obtain a license.	However, most free zone companies are primarily involved in imports and re-exports. In this case, these companies do not need to obtain the approval of an external agency to issue the license.

Advantages of Having a Business Registration Consultant 

There are many advantages of consulting an experienced company setup professional and it is highly recommended to consult a trustworthy business setup consultant who has a deep knowledge of Dubai business sectors so that you can get complete assistance that will help you setup and grow your business locally and internationally. An experienced business advisor will clear all your business setup doubts and answer all your queries including how to register a company in Dubai with 100% foreign ownership and help you getting your business license on time.

Some of the advantages of consulting a business advisor before your company registration in Dubai are the following:

• Quick Company Registration process
• Choosing the right company jurisdiction
• Selecting a suitable legal structure
• Choosing the right business activities
• Getting a professional Advice for business growth
• Avoiding paying unnecessary fines and penalties
• Saving your time and focus on other activities
• Assistance in opening your corporate bank account
• Guidance in choosing a strategic location
• Providing a clear business feasibility plan

How Rawksons Help You Register a Company in Dubai?

Rawksons will help you with effective advisory and consultancy solutions for company registration in Dubai. We will help you figure out and understand what corporate structure best suits your current and future plans.

Our experts will draft all your documents, assemble files, manage your submissions, and handle legislation. Simply, we will take care of all your tedious tasks and let you focus on other important tasks at hand. Whether it’s internal/external audit services, sponsorship services, VISA services, or trademark registration in Dubai, we cater to all your business’s needs.

We strive to deliver the best support to you so you can set up the perfect business in Dubai at the right time that eases your business growth. For all custom-tailored solutions that fit best to all your needs, implement Rawksons ’s advice and execute the perfect opportunity for your company registration process.

With over 2,000 activity licenses and over 28 jurisdictions to choose from, it’s difficult to choose the option that’s right for your needs, so things are complicated, but don’t worry. Our expert advisors can assist you with complex corporate registrations in the United Arab Emirates until your company is registered.

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