Business Setup Services

Answer:

• Dubai Mainland allows you to operate freely across the UAE and interact directly with the local market. However, it requires a physical office and often involves higher setup costs.

• Free Zones offer benefits like 100% foreign ownership, but restrict trading within the UAE unless you partner with a local distributor. Free Zones are generally more cost-effective and offer flexible office solutions, such as virtual offices.

✅ Yes, 100% foreign ownership is now possible in most sectors within Dubai Mainland. However, certain industries such as retail or real estate may still require a local partner (a UAE national) for business operations.

✅ Yes, office space is mandatory for a business setup in Dubai Mainland. You’ll need to rent or lease commercial property, as having a physical office is required to obtain a business license and to sponsor employees’ visas. This is an essential step in the process.

🚫 No, in many Free Zones, you can operate with a virtual office or flexi-desk. This allows you to keep overhead costs low while still maintaining a legal presence. However, some Free Zones may still require physical office space, depending on the size and nature of your business.

The UAE allows you to set up a wide range of businesses, including:

• Trading (import/export, retail, wholesale)

• Service-based businesses (consulting, IT, marketing)

• Manufacturing businesses (if set up in specific Free Zones or Mainland)

• E-commerce businesses
  You can choose from Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore based on your business type, target market, and growth plans.

✅ Yes, you can hire employees in both Dubai Mainland and Free Zones. However, the number of visas you can sponsor for employees depends on your office space size and the location of your business. In Free Zones, your visa quota is typically based on the office space you lease.

⏳ The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of business and whether you’re setting up in a Mainland or Free Zone. Simple setups, like a service-based business in a Free Zone, can be completed in as little as 3 to 5 days, while Mainland setups may take slightly longer due to additional paperwork and approvals.

✅ Yes, once your business is legally registered and you have all your necessary documents, you can open a business bank account. We assist in introducing you to trusted UAE banks like Emirates NBD, RAKBANK, and ADCB. We also help with the KYC process and merchant account setup for e-commerce businesses.

📍 Local sponsorship is required for some businesses in the Mainland, specifically those involving sectors like retail, real estate, or restaurants. A local sponsor, typically a UAE national, will hold 51% of the shares in your business, while you, as the investor, maintain control over the operations. However, recent changes in regulations allow more flexibility in ownership in certain sectors.

• Zero percent income tax for most business activities

• No personal income tax for individuals

• No capital gains tax on profits from business sales

• No withholding tax on outbound dividends and royalties
  The UAE’s business-friendly tax regime makes it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide.

✅ Yes, you can easily trade internationally. Free Zones are designed to facilitate global trade, and many offer import/export facilities. However, you’ll need a local distributor or local partner to engage in business within the UAE.

• IT & Tech (software development, digital marketing)

• E-commerce (online retail, dropshipping)

• Consulting (management, financial, legal)

• Manufacturing & Trading (especially in Free Zones)

• Healthcare (medical clinics, pharmacies)
  The UAE is a global hub for many industries, and selecting the right sector depends on your interests, expertise, and market demand.