+91 9319683461UAE has become a new paradise for investors in recent years. The interest to establish a regional presence has been growing day by day from businesses all over the world, thanks to economic reforms undertaken by forward-looking governments.
In the past two decades, MBG has honed its expertise in business advisory through great leadership and a team of goal-oriented, passionate experts. We help you establish your business in UAE from the initial stages to the very end with our complete range of Business Setup Services.
MBG Corporate Services also offers you with complementary services post Business Setup that you simply cannot miss out on!
FAQs-Business Setup in UAE
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Business Setup in Dubai, UAE: Key advantages it offers
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Steps to start a business in UAE
- Select business activity and jurisdiction
- Determine company structure
- Find local partner or sponsor
- Draft Memorandum of Understanding
- Get approval from DED and rent an office
Select business activity and jurisdiction
Depending upon your research & preferences upon the feasibility and profitability of business idea in terms of the UAE market, you are ready to start your entrepreneurial journey with us.
Once your business idea is decided, you can select a jurisdiction upon which the UAE market operates; namely: Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore.
Each jurisdiction has its own set of laws and regulations pertaining to the business and this is where our engagement starts with you!
Determine company structure
Before applying for a Business License in UAE, it is required that you determine the company structure or the legal form. Choosing the right company structure is a crucial step as it will significantly affect your business' legal and operational risk, asset protection, tax obligations, legal costs and clientele.UAE offers a number of legal forms or company structures under which you can register your business. These structures include:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Sole Establishment
- Civil Company
- Local Company Branch
- GCC Company Branch
- Foreign Company Branch
- Free Zone Company Branch
- Holding Companies
Apply for trade license and register your business
Once the Department of Economic Development (DED) approves your business name and activity, you can apply for the trade license and start the process of Company Registration in UAE.
- Commercial License
- Professional License
- Industrial License
- Tourism Licenseh
If you’re planning for business setup in UAE Mainland then you have the option to choose any of the above 4 licenses. For UAE Free Zones, licensing structures differ from above and depends on the business activity you’re planning to undertake.
Simultaneously, you will be asked to take required approvals from different government or non-government authorities by DED. The documentation and approval stages differ with respect to business type and activity.
Find local partner or sponsor
UAE commercial law doesn’t allow a business owner to hold more than 49% in the company shares if the business is being Setup in UAE Mainland. So, it is required that you should find a UAE national to be your local partner or sponsor.
There are 2 types of sponsorships you can avail: Local and Corporate.
Since finding a trustworthy local partner or sponsor could be challenging so you can opt for a corporate sponsorship. Here, you will get 100% business ownership along with proper documentation.
Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a nonbinding agreement that defines the responsibilities of each party in an agreement, provides the scope and authority of the agreement, clarifies terms and outlines compliance issues.
Taking into consideration UAE government’s mandates and business interests, you can draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for your business.
Get approval from DED and rent an office
It is mandatory for you to get an Initial Approval Certificate from DED. This approval states that your company is legally allowed to perform a particular business activity or offer a product.
Once this is done, you can rent an office space or a shared workspace. This will also ascertain the number of visas you can request from DED.
Looking to register, launch and expand your UAE business?
Come Accelerate Your Business With Us!
Services for Business Setup in UAE
- LLC Company Formation in Dubai
- UAE Mainland
- UAE Free Zone
- Offshore Licensing
- Advice on Entity Structures
- Comparative Studies
- Assistance in Opening Bank Accounts
- Sponsorship Services
- PRO Services
- Liquidation Services
Complementary Services ( Post business setup)
- Strategy & Transformation
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Taxation
- VAT
- Excise Tax
- Customs and International Taxation
- Technology & Legal Advisory
- Unified In-Country Value (ICV)
Why Us
Tailored and agile approach
Integrated advisory services
300+ expert professionals
Intimate knowledge of UAE market
Ethical behavior and confidentiality
Results focused services
FAQs-Business Setup in UAE
Benefits of starting a business in UAE
- Economically diverse
- Well established infrastructure
- Free zone to offer 100% ownership
- Ranks first in ease of doing business (in the MENA region)
- Tax favourable environment
- Custom duty free area
- Regional leader in protection of IP rights
- High % of expatriate workforce
- No exchange control restrictions
- Safe and secure family environment
What is meant by the Free Zone or Free Trade Zone in UAE?
Free Zones or Free Trade Zones are economic areas which were established within the UAE region to promote international business. Here, a business owner gets 100% company ownership and can trade goods and services at privileged tax and custom rates. Companies in each free zone can trade only within the same freezone and nowhere else in UAE.
What are PRO services?
While setting up a business in UAE, every company needs the services of Public Relations Officer (PRO). PRO services include all activities related to processing of government (e.g. visa applications) and company related (e.g. trade license) documentation and approvals. Click here to read our blog on PRO services in Dubai.
What are the benefits of a business setup in UAE Free Zones?
Most important benefit is that you get 100% ownership of your business. Some Free Zones also provide exemption from paying taxes and import/export duties.
What is the difference between Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore companies in UAE?
| # | Jurisdiction/Economic Zone | Ownership | Cost of setup | Visa Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainland | 49% to business owner, remaining 51% to local sponsor | highest | Yes |
| 2 | Free Zone | 100% ownership | cheaper than Mainland and higher than Offshore | Yes |
| 3 | Offshore | 100% ownership (if business resides outside UAE) | cheapest | No |
Cost of setting up a business in UAE
a) Mainland business setup cost
Cost of setting up a business in UAE Mainland depends on a number of factors: Some of these factors are: business activity, location of office, number of visas you require. Besides, following are some mandatory fees imposed by government while setting up a business in UAE Mainland:
- Notary fees
- Trade License
- Registration at the government department
b) Free zone business setup cost
There are a total of 37 Free Zones in the entire UAE region. Cost of setting up a business in the UAE Free Zone depends on the business activity, number of visas you require, type of building and office space you select. Besides, couple of other applicable one time fees include:
- Fee for company registration in the city
- Fee for trade name-reservation
c) Offshore business setup cost
Cost of setting up an Offshore business includes nominee fee, business maintenance fee, bank account fee, company registration fee, agent fee, registered office fee and standard share capital fee.
What is a LLC company in the UAE?
LLC, which stands for Limited Liability Company, is the most common form of business in the UAE. An LLC can be created by a minimum of two shareholders and a maximum of 50 shareholders.
How many Free Zones are there in UAE?
There are total of 37 Free Zones in UAE
What are the benefits of setting up a business in UAE Mainland?
As a mainland UAE company, you get certain benefits which Free Zones don’t provide:
- Your scope to do business is ample as you can trade with any country of your choice
- You don’t have to restrict yourself to a specific building/ area while setting up the office- can easily rent an affordable office space at any location of your choice
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Who We Are
MBG Corporate Services is a leading global organization providing critical business advisory services in Legal, Risk, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax, Strategy, Technology and Audit.
With decades of experience, MBG caters to more than hundred Fortune 500 companies and over 3,000 clients across the globe. MBG Corporate Services has a presence across the Middle East, Singapore, Germany, China, India and Japan.
Know More
Established
In 2002- Covering Europe,
Middle East & Asia - 18 Offices in 8
Countries - 3000+
Clients Globally - 600+
Employees
Business Setup in UAE and Support Services
Is business setup in Dubai or UAE in your mind? We, at MBG Corporate Services ,can help you set it up from the very initial stages to the very end. We have a strong, experienced team of industry experts who can guide you in your entrepreneurial journey- pre & post business setup in Dubai/UAE. It begins from finding dependable sponsors for business & licensing, among other formalities, up to setting up your business while adhering to the tax, regulatory and legal norms. We guide you regarding the type of licensing best suited to your business, which includes Business Setup in UAE Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore Licenses.
Each license has its features that need to be taken care of while setting up a business to enhance profitability. Availing our services will ensure that your dream business is set up seamlessly.
Business Setup in Dubai/ LLC Company Formation in Dubai
Dubai is a hub for setting up new businesses for the simple reason that it has an ultra-low tax environment, convenient time zone, superior infrastructure, and reputable regulatory environment. This makes it one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the world and one of the most intelligent market places with a great future ahead. With MBG, we can help you with company formation in Dubai in jurisdictions like Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore.
Sponsorship Services: Business Setup Consultants in Dubai
Are you looking for Business Setup Consultants in Dubai? Finding a sponsor who is not just reliable but also apt for your business type can be a strenuous process. Right from the process of finding a local Emirati to getting all legal formalities and ownership agreements assigned to the sponsor’s name can be quite pulverizing. The risks involved can simply make you anxious. We understand the pressures of starting a business and finding a sponsor for you in UAE and help you with it completely so that you can direct all that focus on building your enterprise.
To know more about how to go about it, get our free consultation today!
Business Liquidation Services
To get any business established, the most important factor is finance. When you plan business setup in Dubai, we are sure you come with a lot of passion to make it huge. With that being said, money should not be a hindrance in achieving your ambitions.MBG offers exclusive services that cover all of your financial concerns. These services include accounting, VAT registration, VAT return filing, Bookkeeping, CFO services, audit services, taxation services, and so on. We’ve been servicing our clients for nearly two decades. Choosing MBG for your business liquidation needs is a transparent process between us and our clients with complete confidentiality.
Bank Account Opening
To be able to Setup a Business in UAE, it is important to open a corporate bank account in UAE. It requires you to submit official documents, identity proof, and license details. The process sounds uncomplicated; however, sometimes it can get tricky. In situations like this, it is better to be assisted by someone who has a seamless experience with such dealings. With our assistance on this, you can remain relaxed as our representative takes over the process for you.
PRO Services
While you are busy realizing your business idea and passionately thinking about how to grow your dream business, we are here to help you with PRO services and getting all legal formalities done right. Our PRO official authorized by the government helps you with all the government processes and documentations. Our experts ensure that the various activities that need to be performed are swiftly executed so that your Business Setup in UAE is completed within the stipulated time. These include acts that are business and employee-oriented. Whatever be your PRO needs, MBG is here to cover it all!
Why MBG Business Setup Services?
Established in 2002 and headquartered in Singapore, we are a 450-strong member team that operates out of Europe, Middle East, and Asia. We are proud to be working with 100+ of the Fortune 500 companies across the Middle East, Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, and India, as well as several other reputed local family business groups.Our business setup services in Dubai and LLC Company Formation in Dubai are completely customizable to suit the unique and individual needs of our clients. We play an important role to set up your business from scratch until it is ready to be established with a range of business setup and complementary services that you can depend on.
