Moving your company to the UAE is an exciting prospect.
The country has one of the strongest economies in the region, is situated between three major continental markets, has pro-business legislation, low corporate taxes, and is actively diversifying their economic reliance. No matter what kind of industry you’re investing in, this country has a place for you, but it all starts with company registration in the UAE.
While company registration in the UAE is relatively simple, there are still several requirements to consider. You’ll have to attain work visas, hire new staff, get office space, and, most importantly, register your business with the Ministry of Economy.
RelocateUAE can streamline this process, making the process of company registration easy, so you can focus on what’s important: running your business.
The first steps to registering your company in the UAE is to choose a name for your business and identify what activity your business will perform. You probably already have a name picked out, but you will need to make sure the company name is not already reserved or copyrighted by a similar business. As for activities, there are more than 2,000 to pick from across the industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural, and occupational sectors. There’s a lot in demand, so whatever your business does, there is likely a market waiting in the UAE, and RelocateUAE can help you pick the best option.
Several approvals are necessary to opening your business in the UAE. The local Department of Economic Development (DED) will need to approve your legal form, which includes designations like general partnership or limited liability company (LLC). You may need to obtain a Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Local Service Agreement (LSA) from a relevant agency depending on your type of activity. For example, legal activities must gain approval from the Ministry of Justice, insurance activities must go through the Ministry of Economy, and tourism activities must speak with the Executive Council.
No matter where you decide to settle, you will need to rent a commercial space for your new offices. Thankfully there is no shortage of office buildings in the UAE, which as of 2024 is still experiencing the biggest real estate boom in its history. The only matter left is where in the UAE you register your business. RelocateUAE can help you decide if you want to base your operations in a mainland, free, or offshore economic zone. Each has their own benefits related to taxes, location, and permissions to consider, and RelocateUAE can help you pick one that works best for you and your business.
Once we go through the above, RelocateUAE will help you gather the appropriate materials needed to acquire your business licence and open a corporate bank account. For the former, you will need to collect an initial approval receipt, your office space lease contract (verified by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency or RERA, duly attested MOA, approval from your relative government agency, and more. You will often need much of the same to open a corporate bank account, which is required in order to run a business. RelocateUAE can help you understand which documents you need and deliver them to the appropriate authorities.
The UAE is a global business hub, offering a dynamic economy, strategic location, and world-class infrastructure. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an established business, the UAE provides an unparalleled environment to thrive. With its zero corporate tax for most businesses, free trade zones, and access to global markets, the UAE helps your business reach new heights. Setting up is straightforward, with investor-friendly policies, and a robust support system for nearly every industry. The UAE’s diverse workforce and multicultural environment make it an ideal place for innovation, collaboration, and investment.
If you’re moving your company to the UAE you probably intend to bring some of your staff with you, which means you will likely need to process their visas to obtain work permits. Residency is important for expats working in the UAE as this is tied to labour registration, healthcare, social services, taxes, salary, and more. Local workforce hiring is an option, but they are subject to much of the same requirements, meaning you will at least need to understand local regulations as they apply to your staff. RelocateUAE will get work permits for foreign staff and audit your processes, so no mistakes, no repercussions.
Business registration costs vary in the UAE, but RelocateUAE can help you understand how much capital you'll need to start the process.
On average, a company with a one year trade licence and a virtual office based in Dubai might expect to pay between AED 25,000 and AED 30,000, but these costs vary based on location and activity-type. To register your company in the Dubai Freezone, for example, you can expect to pay a fee of between AED 9,000 and AED 10,000. There is a recurring business licence fee for freezones of between AED 10,000 and AED 50,000 annually. Office fees will usually cost between AED 10,000 and AED 50,000 but typically include furniture and other amenities, and there are share capital payments that range wildly from AED 1,000 to AED 1,000,000.
A RelocateUAE consultation provides accurate estimates for your business relocation costs. We identify savings and tailor our approach to your business needs, helping you with tax benefits, affordable office space, and the right economic zone for long-term success. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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