Establishing Businesses
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- Investment Environment
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- Investment Incentives
- Promising Sectors
- Foreign Investment Inflow
- Future Economy
- Competitiveness Indicators
- Free Zones
- Legislative Environment
- Establishing Businesses
- Set up companies via Basher
- UAE Export Development
- Investment Support Entities
- Talent Attraction and Retention
- FAQs
- Success Stories
- Exhibitions and Events
- Business Forums
- Investment Publications
- Contact Us
Know the Process to
Establish Companies in the UAE
The process of establishing a company in the UAE involves only a few simple steps, in all seven emirates. You can apply in person at the Department of Economic Development in the emirate where you plan to establish business. Additionally, digital platforms are available to obtain a commercial license and establish a company online where applying with the necessary documents will lead to a license within minutes. Investors can also apply through legal offices or designated companies offering business establishment services. Establishing a company typically involves identifying the location, specifying the nature of business and paying ascribed fees, for the issuance of a commercial license.
Time Taken to Set Up Your Company in the UAE and Worldwide
10 Days
In high-income
countries, according
to the World Bank
4 Days
In the UAE through
the Department of Economic Development
15 Minutes
Via the Basher
online platform
Choose a Location
To Start Your Company
Ways To Apply
Basher - a unified platform that allows establishing your company within 15 minutes. The local and federal government agencies concerned with licensing economic activities in various emirates have been brought together into a unified platform to facilitate doing business.
Through the departments of economic development in the Emirates:- Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi
- Department of Economic Development in Dubai
- Department of Economic Development in Sharjah
- Department of Economic Development in Ajman
- Department of Economic Development in Umm Al Quwain
- Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah Municipality
- Government sevice centres
- Tasheel offices
- OnTime offices for government services
- Legal services offices
- Customer happiness centres affiliated to the departments of economic development in all emirates of the country
Learn about the
Steps to Establish Your Company in the UAE Mainland
01 Identify the Nature of Your Business Activity
The UAE offers 6 main types of economic licenses
Occupational
Tourism
Industrial
Commercial
Agricultural
Professional
There are more than 2,000 economic activities in the UAE
Economic licenses can include several economic activities. The nature of the company’s activity determines the type of license that will be issued.
02 Determine Your Company’s Legal Structure
A business structure is primarily based on the needs of the business and will determine the laws and regulations the company must adhere to.
Legal forms of businesses in the UAE
Sole establishment
Branch of a GCC company
Civil company
Branch of a local company
Limited liability company
Holding company
Public joint stock company
Representative office of a foreign company
Private joint stock company
Important links
To learn more about the legal forms of companies, please refer to the websites of the UAE’s economic departments in each emirate, and other authorities concerned.
03 Register the Trade Name
The trade name is the name of the company, which must be unique and not be similar to the name of any other registered company. You can apply for a trade name through the chosen emirate’s Department of Economic Development either on its website or smart application, or in person.
Terms and conditions
The trade name must have an abbreviation of the legal structure of the company as its suffix (ex: LLC, PJSC, etc)
The trade name must not contain inappropriate words, and should not be offensive to the general public
The trade name must be compatible with the chosen economic activities
The trade name must not contain the names of rulers, government agencies, or the names and logos of government bodies
The trade name must not be registered by any other company
The trade name and trademark must be approved by the Department of Economic Development and the Ministry of Economy
Trade name certificates are subject to renewal
Useful links
-
Trade Licence Enquiry - Tamm
Trade Licence Enquiry - Abu Dhabi Government Services
Search trade name - Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi
Search Trade Name – Dubai Economy
Issue trade name – Department of Economic Development, Sharjah
Trade name – Department of Economic Development, Ras Al Khaimah
Search trade name – Department of Economic Development, Ajman
Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce
Licensing department – Fujairah Municipality
04 Apply for Initial Approval
An initial approval is the UAE Government’s 'no objection' towards a particular business being established in the country. This approval also allows the investor to proceed with the next steps to set up a business and for the authorities to issue the license. It does not, however, grant the investor permission to run the business or practice the business activity.
05 Create LSA or MOA
A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is required if the legal form of the company is a civil company, limited liability company, public shareholding company, or private shareholding company. A local service agent agreement (LSA) is required if it is a sole proprietorship.
06 Choose Your Business Location
All businesses in the UAE must have a physical address to operate from. The company premises and location must comply with requirements specified by the emirate’s Department of Economic Development, as well as zoning policies and regulations of local municipalities or other competent authorities. In Dubai, the tenancy contract for office or warehouse space has to be registered through the Dubai Land Department’s Ejari portal.
07 Apply for Additional Government Approvals
In some cases, additional approvals from government entities governing certain business activities are required.
Learn about economic activities that require additional approvals
General transport – driving schools, fire equipment, alarm and safety systems, used-car dealers, used auto-parts, car rental.
Legal activities and legal consultancy
Architectural and engineering affairs
Telecommunication activities
Travel and tourism, general services, charter trading, ship and maritime agencies, car clubs, charter air transport and foreign company branches
Insurance activities and insurance consultancy
Health-related activities
Onshore and offshore gas and oil-field services and onshore and offshore oil drilling operations
10 Register Your Company with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Registration of the company must be in the same emirate where it has been incorporated.
Learn about the
Steps to Establish Your Company in the UAE Free Zones
01 Determine the Nature of Your Business Activity
Commercial Trade
Consultancy Services
Industrial
Educational
Media
eCommerce
Offshore
Freelancer
Warehousing
Manufacturing
Innovation
Others
02 Determine Your Company’s Legal Structure
The legal structure of a company depends on the nature and requirements of the business. It defines the laws and regulations to which companies have to adhere to.
There are 3 legal forms of businesses in UAE free zone
Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC)
Free Zone Company (FZ Co.)
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
03 Register the Trade Name
Trade name refers to the name of the company. It must be unique and must not be similar to the name of any other registered companies. You can apply to obtain a trade name through the respective departments of economic development via its website or smart application.
Terms and conditions
The trade name must have abbreviations of the legal structure of the company as suffix (for example LLC)
The trade name should not contain inappropriate words and should not be offensive to the general public
The trade name must be compatible with economic activities
The trade name must not contain the names of rulers, government agencies, or the names and logos of external government bodies
The trade name must not be registered by another company
The trade name and trademark must be approved by the Department of Economic Development and the Ministry of Economy, respectively
Trade name certificates are subject to renewal
Useful links to help you choose brand name
-
Trade Licence Enquiry - Tamm
Trade Licence Enquiry - Abu Dhabi Government Services
Search trade name - Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi
Search Trade Name – Dubai Economy
Issue trade name – Department of Economic Development, Sharjah
Trade name – Department of Economic Development, Ras Al Khaimah
Search trade name – Department of Economic Development, Ajman
Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce
Licensing department – Fujairah Municipality
04 Select Business Space and Location
There are more than 40 free zones in the UAE. To set up a new company, you can choose one that matches the nature of your business activity.
Choose a business space for your company
- Free zones in the UAE give you several options to own or rent an office, or buy land to set up your factory or office building. If you want to obtain an independent/professional license, you can rent an office or register with a virtual office. The office space will depend on the number of employees and the type of commercial activity of your company.
- Office spaces in free zones come either fully equipped or partially furnished, and can be rented or purchased after a commercial license is issued.
- In most cases, it is the free zone authority that issues rental contracts.
Access to public utilities, communications and the internet
The services and facilities offered vary from one free zone to another. In general, infrastructure at all zones is well developed, with IT support services including telephone and high-speed internet connections.
خدمات تأسيس الشركات وتجهيز المرافق
Free zone authorities also provide different support services and facilities to help investors and entrepreneurs establish their businesses. Some are:
- Enquiring, reserving and applying for trade names
- Getting NOC letters or ‘To whom it may concern’ letters
- Issuing, renewing and cancelling residence visas
- Investing and funding opportunities
- Legal advice
- Furnished/semi-furnished offices
- Warehouse
- Telecommunications
- State-of-the-art IT infrastructure
- Secretarial services
- Photocopy and printing services
- Meeting rooms with AV facilities
- Labour accommodation
- Assistance with recruitment
- Employee and family housing
05 Obtaining the Initial Approval
You must complete all requirements and submit necessary documents to obtain the initial approval to open a new company. Some activities such as tourism, travel and health will require additional government approvals that must be obtained from the relevant authorities.
Documents commonly required for companies
- Completed application form
- Business plan
- Copy of existing trade license/registration certificate (if applicable)
- Passport copies of the company’s shareholders and appointed manager
- Registry Identification Code Form (RIC) for appointed manager (original and notarized)
- Specimen signatures of the company’s shareholders and appointed manager
- Title deeds (if applicable)
- A brief letter clarifying the investment idea and the investor's plan (Letter of Intent)
- 2 years audited financial reports or certificate of reference from a bank (as required)
Documents commonly required for freelancers/professionals
- Application for registration
- Curriculum vitae or profile
- Reference letter from a bank
- Registry Identification Form (RIC) for Director (original and notarized document)
06 Registration and Payment of Fees
- Pay fees and secure company license
- Fees include company license issuance fee, which depends on the type of license
Documents most commonly required
- Completed application form for registration
- Board Resolution appointing Manager/Director (notarised and attested)
- Power of Attorney given to Manager/Director (notarised and attested)
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (notarised and attested)
- Specimen signature of Manager/Director (notarised and attested)
- Passport-size photos of Manager/Director
- Share capital information
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Page was last updated on:
09 Dec 2024 1:48:53 PM
