How To Start A Dubai LLC The Right Way…

Start a Dubai Limited Liability Company while keeping
full control of management and tax-free profits.

Message from: the Freemont Oneworld Group
Service provider, active in Dubai since 2006.

Dear Entrepreneur,

If you want to jump-start your business in Dubai without restrictions, while being in full control and pushing yourself to live-changing success…

…then a Dubai LLC is the ideal business set-up for you.

After reading this article, you’ll understand everything you need to know about starting your own Dubai LLC. And the quickest way to get started.

Soon, your business adventure starts and everything this land of opportunity has to offer will be unveiled!

This Is What You Get, With A Dubai LLC:

• Conquer Dubai. Do business without limits. A Dubai LLC is the only way for a foreigner to have unrestricted access to Dubai’s local market. And, to serve the local government and important local companies.

• Break free from the chains of taxation. A Dubai LLC is the only fully operational local structure in a developed economy with no income, profit, dividend, capital gains or withholding tax. Only a 5% VAT has been implemented recently in Dubai.

• Build your dream on the most inspiring locations of Dubai. Whether you want an office overlooking a bustling yacht club, a shop on an A-location, a warehouse or a plot of land. A Dubai LLC gives you exclusive real estate options compared to cramped and expensive free zones far away in the desert.

• Inject your business engine with an unlimited supply of financial oil. A Dubai LLC, has full access to financial services. Opening local and international bank accounts is a breeze. Trade finance and credit facilities are suddenly readily available. Getting a tax-residency certificate makes tax-planning easy.

• Run your business the way you want. As we explain below, you can have full control of a Dubai LLC. If that is not enough, with a large number of activities the business can be 100% owned by foreigners.

• Enjoy access to residence permits for you, your family and your staff. No matter where you’re from. This way, you can experience life without taxation.

• Leave your competitors and critics in a dust cloud when you speed ahead towards business success beyond your wildest dreams.

Yes, a Dubai LLC provides it all. But before we continue, this:

Control Everything And Keep What You Earn

We have to address the issue of ownership. Because this is the most important question on investors’ minds.

In general, a Dubai LLC’s is a partnership. And a local sponsor (UAE national or a company owned by UAE nationals) has to hold a majority of shares… at least 51%.

This means that a foreign investor has 49% percent of the shares of his own company. This is for some people a scary thought. However, this is not always justified…

Is there a way to own 100% of the shares of a Dubai LLC?

Yes.

The activities you can choose from for your Dubai LLC are divided into four major categories: industrial, commercial, tourism and professional.

The activities that fall under the Professional License category do not require a local sponsor. Instead, they require a Local Service Agent. This requirement is purely procedural. The Local Services Agent has no shares or role in the business. Typically, his role is to liaise with government offices to open labour and immigration files for employees.

This means that a foreigner who starts a consultancy service, a training service, a cleaning service, a laundry shops, a sports club, a restaurant, a coffee shop or any other service business can own 100 percent of the shares of a Dubai LLC!

How to stay in the drivers’ seat when owning 49%?

For businesses under a commercial, industrial or tourism license, a local sponsor owning 51% is needed.

But don’t worry!

In practise the local sponsor and the foreign investor often sign a side-agreement. In this agreement, the local sponsors resigns all responsibilities, leaving you in the drivers’ seat.

In addition, a different annual profit split can be agreed other than based on the amount of shares. For example, you can agree that the local sponsor receives a fixed annual fee for his services and you get all the profit.

Local courts have upheld these side agreements. So even if you don’t fully own a company, you can still be in full control and claim all the benefits.

In short: Nothing to worry

As you can see, a Dubai LLC can be structured in such a way that you maintain full control and take your tax-free profits home.

And remember, it is the perfect tool to reach your goals in Dubai without restrictions. More over, you have the ability to choose from the largest variety of real estate options for your business across Dubai at affordable prices.

In short: a Dubai LLC allows you to play in the Champions League and explore your full potential.

The Process Of Setting Up A Dubai LLC

There are a number of steps that you need to take before your Dubai LLC is active. Most importantly, you need to register with the Dubai Economic Department (DED).

In order for you to understand the process leading up to the registration, we summarized it here.

You can click on each step to learn more.

[expand title=”Step 1. Select Your Business Activity“]
The first step in the process of issuing a license is determining the activity type.

There are more than 2,100 business activities available in Dubai. The activities fall into four major categories: industrial, commercial, professional and tourism.

The type of activity influences how the company can be structured. Remember: with a professional service company you can have 100% ownership of a Dubai LLC.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 2. Select Your Trade Name“]

The second step is selecting your trade name. You have to provide a clear name reflecting the business activity.

There are a number of restrictions regarding your name. For example, you cannot use confusing or indecent words. In addition, names of countries, continents, regions or towns are of limits.

After you selected a name for the company, you need to get approval from the Licensing Department.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 3. Apply for Initial Approval“]

After your name is approved, you need to obtain an Initial Approval Certificate. This is a document stating that the Dubai Economic Department has no objection to you starting your business.

You’ll get an approval and your company receives an entry in the Commercial Register.

This is an important step. Once your business is approved, the next steps in obtaining the license are generally formalities. This ensures that you can continue with the next steps knowing the outcome is secured.

Important: certain activities require you to get approval from other regulatory bodies as well. For example, if you want to set up a Health Clinic, you need to be approved by the Dubai Health Authority.

You can only go into this process after you have gained the initial approval. But it is important you understand all requirements before hand.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 4. Prepare MoA & LSA Agreement“]

In order to formalize your Dubai LLC you and your business partners need to draft and sign a Memorandum of Association (MOA). This MOA needs to be a formal translation, and needs to be attested by a Notary Public. These are highly standardized, but small adjustments can be made as well.

As mentioned, for a professional services license you have to sign a Local Service Agent (LSA) / Corporate Agent agreement with a UAE national. He will represent your business with regards to licensing and compliance, but has no further control or ownership.

Potential side agreements can now be signed and attested as well.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 5. Establish Your Business Location“]

Every Dubai LLC must have a physical address. The good thing about a Dubai LLC is that it gives you the flexibility to locate your business in the most desirable locations of Dubai.

You can choose the ideal office, shop, restaurant, warehouse or plot of land for your business.

Once you found a suitable location, you need to get your rental contract attested by Ejari, the mandatory registry of tenancy contracts. To register with Ejari, take your initial approval certificate and other documents required by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to any authorised service centre.

An attested rental contract is a requirement for ordering the trade license.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 6. Collect Your Trade License“]

Now that you have completed the steps above, you need to submit all the documents to the Dubai Economic Department. You need to make sure you attach all the required documents from the previous steps.

If you met all requirements you’ll get a Trade License, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Share Certificates of your company.[/expand]

[expand title=”Step 7. After You Started Your Business“]

Your company is now incorporated. Congratulations. However there are still steps to undertake before you can be active, like:

• You need to fit out your office.
• You must register your employees with the ministry of Labour and General Authority for Pension and Social Security.
• Processing visas, labour cards and other legal documents.
• The LLC’s MoA is then published in the Bulletin of the Economy and Commerce Ministry.
• A bank account needs to be opened.

[/expand]

What Is The Best Way To Start A Dubai LLC Now?

You might be wondering how to structure your own awesome company as fast as possible and start pushing your business to staggering heights.

Luckily, we are here to help. We are business set-up specialists. We can assist you all the way. From the first orientation to the issuing of the trade license… and beyond.

We can explain beforehand exactly what the requirements, procedures and costs are for your specific business needs.

We have spend years cultivating our relationships with the authorities. We know the right people in the right places. This is needed, as you’ll see. Especially, when getting through the approval phase for a Dubai LLC.

We can also introduce you to a reliable local sponsor. We work with a panel of Emirati nationals. They are mostly employed in public departments and have been associated with us for a number of years. They will hold 51% of shares on behalf of you if needed of act as agents.

In addition, we secure your interest with rock-solid contracts. More over, we provide you with a power of attorney so that you have all the power to operate and manage the company. All the legal work is duly authenticated by an approved legal translator and is notarized at the Dubai Courts.

Other Important Services For Your Dubai LLC

• Organizing meetings with the authorities
• Renewal of License
• Accounts & Auditing Service
• Company amendments
• Help with finding the right piece of real estate at a suitable location
• Helping obtain a UAE resident visa for you (if needed)
• Assisting in opening bank accounts
• Register your employees with the ministry of Labour and General Authority for Pension and Social Security.
• Process visas, labour cards and other legal documents
• Set-up a RAK offshore company as a holding company
• And much more…

As you can see, the start of your business is in good hands.

But allow us to introduce ourselves…

The Freemont Oneworld Group

Freemont Oneworld Group is the result of a 2019 merger between Freemont Group, operating in Dubai since 2006, and Oneworld Mideast, a subsidiary of the prestigious corporate service provider Oneworld, active from Cyprus for over 30 years.

Our office is located in the centre of new Dubai (Bayswater Tower, Level 18, Office 10, Business Bay), and you can drop by any time you like.

Our most important activity is setting up legal entities for our clients. We can advice you as to what business set up best suits your need. We will assist you from start to end and make sure the registration of your company goes smoothly. We will guard you from excess paperwork.

Why Should You Use Us?

Good question. Let us give you some facts:

We have set up more than 6.000 companies in jurisdictions all around the world. We have clients on every continent. Most are from Europe. We helped more than 450 international entrepreneurs set up their business here in the UAE from our strategically located office in the pumping heart of new Dubai.

Testimonials

Our Network Of Reliable Partners:

Freemont Oneworld Group is on the forefront in promoting economic and personal liberty and we sponsor and support organizations and conferences that do the same. Also, we write well received articles for various organizations in the field of tax planning and corporate service providing.

Our directors and professional staff are members and affiliates of international professional bodies including:

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• The International Tax Planning Association (ITPA)
• The UK Law Inns
• The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
• The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
• Dubai Department of Economic Development
• Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
• RAK Investment Authority
• UAE Ministry of Finance

What Other Premium Services Do We Offer?

Other services that we can provide you with:

• Bank introductions with local banks in Dubai AND international banks (from Switzerland to the Caribbean).
• Virtual office options. Have a Dubai telephone, mailing address, fax.
• Nominee directors or shareholders. Obtain complete confidentiality with our names on the company papers.
• Providing local management and control and book keeping.
• Visa services.
• Free Zone Companies and offshore companies.
• Attestations. Legalizations.
• International business incorporations. International structuring.
• Identifying the exact free zone for your business.
• Setting up your business from A-Z while you lay back and relax.
• And much, much more.

Do You Also Want A Dubai LCC?

If you wish to set-up a Dubai LLC with the help of a professional, then you can go ahead and fill in the form below. We will get back to you with an instant assessment of your situation and a tailor made consultation.

You’ll know the prices, the process and the requirements. And after we have identified what you need, we will be able to quickly continue with the smooth incorporation of your company.

So please go ahead… Fill in the form below to initiate your new astonishing business success.

...Your future starts now...

See you on the inside,
The staff of Freemont Oneworld Group

Freemont Oneworld Group Dubai
Freemont Services DMCC Dubai Branch
Bayswater Tower
Level 18, Office 10
Al Abraj South Street
Business Bay
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 444 57 900
Skype: freemontgroup
Email: info@freemontgroup.com

P.S. Get your Free Consultation and kick-start your business adventure into 5th gear.