Business Setup in Dubai | Office Space Solutions | Financial Services

Starting a business in Dubai Mainland involves a few key steps to ensure your company is legally registered and ready to operate. Here's a quick guide:

Get Initial Approval

This is the first step that allows you to proceed with the business setup process and shows that the UAE government has no objection to you starting your business.

Choose a Trade Name

Propose at least 5 name options to increase the chances of approval, as some names might already be taken or not meet the naming guidelines.

Prepare the Memorandum of Association (MOA)

This legal document outlines the company's structure, ownership, and operational framework, and must be notarized.

Obtain Office (Tenancy Contract)

You'll need to have a registered office space (Tenancy Contract) through Dubai Land Department (DLD) .

Get Your Business License

After completing all the above steps, apply for and receive your business license to legally operate in Dubai Mainland.

The cheapest way to set up a company in UAE is usually through a Free Zone. Dubai has over 40 Free Zones (and 46 across the UAE in total), each with its own rules and industry focus. These Free Zones offer affordable packages, fast setup, and full ownership for foreign investors.

We help you set up your company in any of these Free Zones across the UAE—making the process easy, fast, and budget-friendly.

There are plenty of benefits to starting a company in Dubai, but the key benefit is a Strategic location as Dubai is a trade city that connects different continents, which simplifies the import and export of goods. Therefore, the high-class infrastructure that comes with low corporate tax is a major advantage for investors who want to set up a company in Dubai. Additionally, 100% foreign company ownership is another boost for foreign entrepreneurs because of Dubai’s friendly business environment.

The timeframe of opening a company in Dubai is 4 to 5 working days but it all depends on different factors such as your industry and requirements of each licensing authority. Some business activities are quicker than the others but in general, it takes only a few days to setting up a new company in Dubai.

Yes, you can own 100% of your business in Dubai. In the past, only Free Zones have allowed 100% foreign ownership of businesses in Dubai. However, with a recent amendment, now foreigners can 100% own an LLC business in Dubai Mainland, too. For more information on this topic, you can visit our complete guide.

These are the most profitable businesses to start in Dubai –

E-commerce stores
Digital payments
IT solutions
Real estate development
Tourism services.

Starting a company in Dubai offers many benefits that are not accessible in other countries. A few major reasons to set up a business in Dubai are:
Global trading hub allowing you to start an international trading business instantly
Easy to start a business
100% ownership for foreigners
Low corporate tax and zero individual income tax
Full profit repatriation is allowed
Strategic location for business with advanced infrastructure
Business-friendly laws with a government that supports entrepreneurship

Yes, the visa issued in Dubai is valid throughout the UAE and allows you to travel to other emirates freely.

To obtain an investor/partner visa, you must set up your own company in Dubai. You must fulfill all the company registration requirements and obtain a trade license. Next, you have to complete all the immigration authority’s formalities to receive your residency visa.

You can set up any business in Dubai as long as it’s not illegal under the country’s law. The UAE’s Ministry of Economy allows you to choose from more than 2,000 business activities for your company. To start a business in the UAE, you’ll need one of the following five licenses:

Industrial License

Applies to all forms of manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation, and collection. This includes industries such as food, textiles, paper, petroleum products, equipment, and appliances.

Commercial License

For companies involved in trading and commercial activities, including the buying and selling of goods.

Professional License

Issued to individuals or businesses offering specialized services, such as consultancy, legal, accounting, education, and artistic professions.

E-Trader License

Designed for home-based entrepreneurs and individuals selling products or services online, especially through social media platforms.

Dual License

Allows businesses in free zones to also operate in mainland UAE, without the need for a separate mainland office.