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Telephone Numbers
Setting Up a Company in Dubai
For detailed information +90 542 381 3868 'Call.
We assume 100% responsibility for accounting services after company formation in UAE Dubai. We provide services for all company types in Dubai, including LLCs, free zone companies, branch companies, UAE offices, and commercial activities. By adopting emerging practices to deliver end-to-end accounting and audit services, World Company Setup simplifies business processes for its clients. We specialize in many services including accounting, auditing, value-added tax (VAT), economic substance regulations (ESR), company formation and liquidation, country-by-country reporting (CBCR), and business consultancy services.
One of the biggest advantages of setting up a company in Dubai is that it is one of the most attractive destinations in the world for tourists and businesspeople. UAE Dubai has a strategically important geographical location that connects East and West, with access to a market of more than 2.2 billion consumers.
Easy Company Setup Process: Dubai makes it very easy to start a business thanks to technology and a supportive government.
No Taxes in the UAE: Dubai attracts many individuals and companies worldwide due to the absence of personal income tax or corporate tax.
Technological Advancement: Dubai is truly advanced in technology. It is becoming a digital hub and helps you conduct business online.
100% Foreign Ownership: With company formation in Dubai, you can choose to establish your business on the mainland or in one of the free zones. By starting your company in a free zone, you can own 100% of the company.
Easy Visa Process: By establishing a company in Dubai, you can easily obtain a residence visa.
The cost of company formation in Dubai may vary depending on the structure of the business. Company formation costs in UAE Dubai mainly consist of documentation and attestation, business licensing, visa procedures, and immigration processes.
Additional approvals and permits from relevant authorities may be required for certain business activities. The cost of setting up a company in Dubai ranges between AED 35,000 and AED 45,000 for a virtual office and a one-year trade license. At the same time, business costs are determined by various factors such as location, business structure, nature of the business, infrastructure requirements, number of visas required by the company, access to suppliers and raw materials, and more.
The World Company Setup team will provide low-cost company formation solutions in Dubai for investors through experienced company formation consultants.
UAE Dubai offers a versatile environment for company formation with options such as Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore companies that cater to various business needs. With 100% foreign ownership freedom, tax exemptions, confidentiality, and asset protection, Dubai provides a supportive environment for your entrepreneurial goals.
Free Zone Companies: They are easier to establish compared to mainland companies. Free zones in Dubai are preferred due to ease of doing business, world-class facilities, and a strong business ecosystem. One of the biggest advantages of designated Free Zone Company formation is exemption from VAT (Value Added Tax). In addition, operating costs for Free Zone Companies are more favorable for entrepreneurs. All payments for office space, facilities, and authority services are paid annually in advance.
Advantages of Free Zone Companies in Dubai
The average minimum cost in Dubai Free Zones is AED 25,000. Free zones in Dubai offer a wide range of business activities for investors to start their businesses in the UAE. Contact our experts to learn more about activity lists and advantageous free zones for your company formation with World Company Setup!
UAE Offshore Companies: Offshore companies in Dubai are legal business entities established to coordinate international trade. Offshore companies in the UAE are registered as International Business Companies (IBC). They are outside the scope of local UAE business jurisdictions and legal systems. Offshore companies are not permitted to operate in the local UAE market. They are commonly used by international trading companies, holding companies, consultancy services, property investors, etc.
Offshore companies are not eligible to apply for residence visas for employees. Offshore company registration is secure and offers many advantages to investors, including tax savings, profit repatriation, and foreign ownership incentives.
UAE Dubai Mainland Companies: These companies are established by investors who want to serve customers within the UAE. They are used to provide services to customers in the country. Additionally, corporate tax payment, having a physical office, and a local (UAE) shareholder are required. Dubai mainland companies offer various advantages, including access to a large and wealthy market and various tax incentives and exemptions.
For companies operating on the mainland in Dubai, obtaining a license is mandatory depending on the type of activity to be carried out.
The documents required to establish a company in Dubai may vary depending on the business type and jurisdiction (free zone or mainland). World Company Setup will guide you through the required documentation.
Dubai, as one of the most important trade and financial centers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offers various company types and business models for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. The types of companies that can be established in Dubai vary depending on the sector of operation, company structure, and preferred jurisdiction (mainland or free zone).
Main company types that can be established in Dubai include:
1. Limited Liability Company (LLC): The most common company type. It can be established with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50 partners. A local sponsor is required (the sponsor must own 51% of the company). Ideal for companies wishing to operate on the mainland.
2. Free Zone Company: 100% foreign ownership is possible in free zones. Company owners benefit from profit repatriation and tax exemptions. Additional permits may be required to trade outside the free zone.
3. Branch Office: A branch of a foreign company operating abroad established in Dubai. It carries out the same activities as the parent company. No local sponsor is required, but a local agent must be appointed.
4. Representative Office: Does not conduct commercial activities; only promotes the parent company. It has no authority to sell or sign contracts. Requires a local sponsor or agent.
5. Holding Company: Established to manage and control shares of other companies. Does not conduct commercial activities.
6. Professional Company: Established by professionals such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and architects. Requires a local sponsor (who must own 51% of the company).
7. Civil Company: Established by two or more individuals. Generally operates in fields such as architecture, engineering, and medicine. Requires a local partner.
8. Private Joint Stock Company: Not publicly listed; shares are sold privately. Requires at least 3 founding shareholders. Suitable for large-scale projects, such as family businesses or major private investments.
Dubai offers various company types and business models for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. The choice of company type depends on the sector, investment budget, and long-term goals. Establishing a company on the mainland or in free zones offers different advantages and requirements. With professional consultancy services, it is possible to complete the company formation process in Dubai smoothly.
You can open both personal and corporate bank accounts in UAE Dubai. Personal accounts are available for residents and non-residents of the United Arab Emirates. It is much easier for residence visa holders to open accounts; required documents include a passport, UAE ID, salary certificate, bank statements, or investor visa and company documents.
Required documents to open a bank account include:
List of required documents depending on your account type:
Depending on your purpose of travel to Dubai, there are numerous visa options available. On this page, you can find details of the main visa types.
If you are visiting the city for business opportunities and will not be working in the UAE, you only need a visit visa. Citizens of many countries can obtain a visa on arrival, while those requiring a pre-arranged visa can easily apply online.
Once you decide to settle in Dubai, you will need to apply for a residence visa. For employees working in a Dubai-based company, this will be handled by the employer. However, if you are starting your own business, working as a freelancer, or retiring in Dubai, you can usually arrange your own residence visa, which is generally valid for five or ten years.
Main residence visas include:
Corporate tax is the primary tax applicable to companies in the UAE. As of June 2023, a 9% corporate tax applies to companies earning more than AED 375,000 (USD 100,000) annually.
In the United Arab Emirates, both citizens and residents do not pay personal income tax under any circumstances. They are also exempt from taxes on interest, dividends, wealth, luxury goods, inheritance, gifts, and capital gains. There is no personal income tax for foreign investors. Companies operating in Dubai free zones generally benefit from special tax regulations that offer corporate tax exemptions or reduced rates under certain conditions.
Import and export taxes vary depending on the nature of the imported goods. Generally, import duty is 5% of the CIF value (cost, insurance, and freight).
However, certain products such as tobacco or alcohol are subject to import taxes of 50–100%. Goods imported into free zones are exempt from import duty until they enter the local market. Export tax in the UAE is 0%.
The process of establishing a company in Dubai is a procedure that requires careful planning and taking the right steps from start to finish. However, thanks to Dubai’s business-friendly environment and advanced infrastructure, establishing a successful business with the right strategies is quite achievable.
Choosing a Business Model and Company Type: Before starting a company in Dubai, it is important to determine which business model you will choose. You can establish different types of companies in Dubai. The most common ones are as follows:
Choosing your business model and company type will vary depending on your company’s field of activity and your objectives.
Choosing and Registering a Company Name: Determining the company name is one of the first steps in the company formation process in Dubai. The company name must be approved by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). You should keep in mind that the name must comply with certain rules. For example:
After the company name is registered, you must complete your registration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
Obtaining a License: When establishing a company in Dubai, you are required to obtain a license appropriate to the sector in which you will operate. The type of license you obtain will vary depending on the company type:
To select the appropriate license type for each sector and submit an application, you must consult with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) or the relevant free zone authorities.
Sponsorship and Legal Requirements: If you wish to establish a mainland company in Dubai, 51% of the company must be owned by a local (UAE) national. This local partner acts as a sponsor in the company’s legal operations and relations with government authorities. However, free zone companies do not require a local partner, and foreign investors can hold 100% ownership rights.
Office Address and Physical Presence: Every company operating in Dubai must have a physical office. All companies, including free zone companies, must have an address. This office must be located in an area suitable for commercial activities. The company’s office address is among the required documents during registration with the chamber of commerce.
Preparation of Company Documents: During the company formation process, various documents must be completed. These include:
These documents may vary depending on the type of company and the field of activity.
Opening a Bank Account: During the company formation process, it is also necessary to open a bank account in the name of the company. Local banks in Dubai request the required documents to open corporate bank accounts. Major banks include Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Your application to open a company account is reviewed by the banks, and the account opening process may take several weeks.
Work Permits and Visa Applications: After the company is established, work permits and visas must be obtained for the employees. Applications for residence and work visas required to work in Dubai are submitted to the Dubai Immigration Department. Investor visas are issued for company owners, while work visas are issued for managers and employees.
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