The cheapest option to register a company is the IFZA (International Free Zone Authority). The location offers the cheapest Free Zone and General Trading Licence. You can start your company with AED 12,900* here.

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 as per the country’s law. UAE’s Ministry of Economy allows you to choose from more than 2,000 business activities for your business. You need one of these six licenses to start a company in the UAE:

Industrial license
Commercial license
Crafts license
Tourism license
Agricultural license
Professional license

No, you can’t include all the business activities in a single business license, as they might require different licenses to operate. You will need a trading license if you are trading goods or products. For manufacturing, a manufacturing license is compulsory, and so on. However, a business owner trading multiple products can also get a general trading license in Dubai. Therefore, different business activities require different licenses in Dubai.

Yes, you have to renew your trade license in the UAE annually. It is also worth noting that you must apply 30 days before the expiry date of the license.

Yes, all types of businesses require a license to operate legally in the UAE. Operating without a business license is against the law in Dubai.

Professional activities are business activities that require a professional license to operate in the UAE. A professional must be qualified or highly skilled to offer such services with relevant expertise. Some professions and services in this category are lawyers, medical experts, legal advisors, business consultants, accounting and auditing service providers, marketers, artisans, and IT service providers.

Yes, it is mandatory for businesses to have an office space for a successful business registration process in Dubai Mainland. However, Dubai Economic Development (DED) has offered some leniency to investors and entrepreneurs by issuing virtual office licenses where you don’t need a physical space. Flexi desks are also a good alternative, as you can save a lot of rental costs and have physical space from the beginning. Another option is to get an instant license issued by DED, which does not require office space for the first year.