Dubai offers numerous benefits for entrepreneurs looking to start a business, including excellent infrastructure, a competitive tax regime, relaxed foreign ownership laws, access to global markets, availability of funds and financing options, and an open and skilled workforce, among other advantages.
The typical steps are: choose a location/ Emirate and business activity, choose a legal form of your business (LLC, sole proprietorship etc.), obtain approvals from relevant authorities if required, find office/retail space if needed, apply for trade license, obtain immigration card if founder living in UAE, apply for establishment card, open a business bank account, register for taxes, process visas if hiring employees.
Yes, the Dubai government offers long-term residence visas to investors and business owners under its long-term residency programs. For example, investors who own/partner in successful startups or small companies with AED 500,000+ capital can apply for a 5-year investor visa, renewable in some cases.
To run a consultancy business legally in Dubai’s mainland (not free zones), you need to register for a trade license, get establishment card verification, open a business bank account and register for VAT tax and EMIRATES ID if residing in UAE. Relevant degrees/ experience may need attesting for some specialized consulting activities.
On Dubai’s mainland, to register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) foreign investors/founders require a local sponsor who is a UAE national and holds 51% ownership in the company. However, Dubai’s free zones allow 100% foreign ownership of a business without a local partner.
Yes, through options like flexi desk permits, virtual offices, using an agent’s legal address on your license or registering in certain free zones like UAQ that allow license holders to operate without permanent leased office premises. You still need to appoint a local services agent for managing your license and visa requirements.
No, Ejari contracts are mandatory only if your mainland Dubai business trade license mentions leasing of a physical office or retail space. Businesses with flexi desk permits, virtual office addresses,etc do not require an Ejari contract. However, free zone companies also need to register their leased premises via their free zone authority.
No, to formally register and operate any business based in Dubai you are required to be physically present to complete all legal paperwork and license registration in the UAE. The authorities do not issue Dubai business licenses to overseas applicants without them first entering Dubai to establish the company legally.
While there is no mandatory requirement as such, having a university degree relevant to your industry and getting it attested can boost chances of visa and trade license approval for specialized fields. But many successful entrepreneurs launch startups in Dubai without a degree. Technical skills, expertise, business plan, and funding sources tend to matter more.
Yes, Dubai offers 10-year business/investor residency visas to founders of startups registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) that generate high annual revenues, employ a certain number of Emiratis, engage in R&D, earn IP income, etc. Some free zones also offer 10-year visas. Renewal chances depend on maintaining eligibility criteria.
The total capital requirements vary across different types of businesses. But generally, for mainland LLC you may require AED 150k-300k. For an E-trader license or certain free zones, you can start with as low as AED 7-10k. Having enough capital to cover business setup costs plus approx. one year of operating expenses is recommended before launching your Dubai business.
Some of the most profitable and scalable small business opportunities in Dubai currently are related to e-commerce, IT, fintech, logistics, food & beverages, digital marketing, business consultancy, blockchain, events, tourism & hospitality services among others. You can launch innovative startups in these thriving sectors.
Yes. Dubai free zone companies can conduct business on the mainland by simply appointing a local service agent (LSA) to facilitate this. The LSA acts as your legal representative. Many free zones themselves offer registered LSAs. With an LSA, free zone firms can seamlessly work with clients based across the UAE.
Yes. Dubai offers an excellent environment for startup and growth-stage entrepreneurs. You can easily register your innovative startup on the Dubai mainland under the Department of Economic Development or in a specialized free zone based on your industry and preferred incentives. Government-backed accelerators like Area 2071 also support promising startups.
