Company Registration in Dubai:
A Complete Overview

Basic documents needed are: passport copy, current proof of address (utility bill), filled in company forms (provided by Freemont), a description of the business.

Depending on the activity, additional requirements could be needed.

To obtain a visa for the UAE, you need to be sponsored. Luckily, a free zone company you own can act as a sponsor.

Free zone companies are allocated a number of visas based on the amount of square meters in office space they rent.

In case you do not need an office, certain free zones offer a flexi-desk/office at a fraction of the cost. This allows for max three visas.

As a businessman, you can sponsor your family also.

This depends on the free zone. Some allocate for three years, others for two.

If you plan on living in Dubai, it is better to look for a place where they offer for three years, to prevent the discomfort of having to redo the process.

It is difficult to provide an exact time-frame, since it highly depends on the free zone and the services needed.

In general, there are a number of steps in the process: the collection of documents, registration with the free zone, registration with the central authorities (if needed), the renting of the office, the opening of the bank account, and the issuing of visas.

For some of these steps your presence might be needed in Dubai, others not. Lightweight structures can be incorporated in a matter of days, others take well over a month.

Starting a business in Dubai doesn't happen overnight. Be patient, and be rewarded!

In general, free zone companies are not allowed to do business outside of the free zone. In practice, there are a number of "flexible" areas, for example with consultancy activities.

For selling goods and providing services to the general UAE market however, you'd need local LCC (mainland company).

Businesses in Dubai are issued a trade license. Generally, they are allowed to perform the activities they are licensed for.

A wide variety of activities are available to choose from. Certain activities, such as investment or health care services might require additional approvals of the UAE government.

Yes. Free zone companies allow you access the banking systems in the UAE (something becoming difficult with offshore companies).

But keep in mind, if you want to have a local bank account, you will have to visit Dubai for a meeting with the bank (which can be done here in the office, and in only one morning).

Luckily, in addition to banks there are Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), financial service providers that also offer bank account details. These can be opened remotely. Contact us for details.

Indeed, the UAE is one of a select group of countries in the world with 0% income taxes.

The UAE is not known for being an international tax haven. It has a great number of Tax Treaties in place which makes the UAE an optimal location for legal and compliant international tax planning.

In 2018, the UAE introduced Value Added Tax (VAT). However, the RAK Offshore Company is NOT subjected to VAT.

In 2022 a corporate tax of 9% on corporate income above 100.000 USD was announced. This tax will apply to business operating within the UAE.

Free zone and offshore businesses will also be required to register and file a corporate tax return. However, the new corporate tax regime will continue to provide the tax incentives currently offered to these businesses―to the extent that they do not conduct business with the UAE mainland.

Any personal income remains tax-free also.