How to Start a Business in Dubai

Dubai is a popular hub amongst entrepreneurs for starting a business. The UAE is favoured for its low-tax policies and easy laws. Plus, the government offers encouraging incentives to businessmen seeking to invest in the UAE. Starting a business anywhere in the world requires meticulous planning and attention to detail but you will see that Dubai is one of the easiest destinations to do so, through this article on how to start a business in Dubai.

1.Conduct a Feasibility Study First

When exploring the market and trying to choose a start-up business in Dubai, it is best to conduct a feasibility study first. Explore the potential of achieving success through the venture you have in mind, taking into consideration market demand, competition, and profitability. Once you are happy with the figures, go ahead and start the procedure. You will find that basing yourself in Dubai during the initial start-up period of your venture will be a cost-effective and efficient option because popular hotels like Avani Ibn Battuta Hotel Dubai offer corporate travellers various business services including the provision of the best meeting room Dubai has to offer.

2. Choose a Zone to Set Up Your Business

Dubai business zones are separated into what are called jurisdictions, and each zone operates under set rules and laws. Plus, jurisdictions are segregated according to business venture types, so you must choose the zone, which offers the most benefit to your venture in terms of business laws and procedures. Choose from Free Zone, Offshore, and Mainland once you have evaluated what type of service is offered in each one.

3. Decide on the Legal Structure of Your Company

Choose the type of legal structure to which your company conforms; it will help with establishing rules and laws for investments and profits, as well as liabilities, assets, and resources. You need to be clear of your company’s legal structure before registering your business and obtaining a license. Here are the main legal structures under which you can register a company in the UAE.

Sole establishment

Limited liability company (LLC)

Local company branch

Foreign company branch

Civil company

Free zone company branch

Holding company

4. Obtain Approval for the Name of your Business

The name you choose for your business must be approved by the Department of Economic Development (DED) It is only once this stage is completed that you can continue with setting up your business in the UAE. Once you submit the company name for approval, DED will run a background check for approving the type of business you choose to conduct in Dubai. Once the approval is obtained, gather the necessary documents and apply for a trade license in the UAE. You can choose to apply for your trade license under the following categories:

Professional license

Commercial license

Tourism license

Industrial license

These licensing structures apply to setting up a company in the UAE Mainland jurisdiction. Check the available categories for any other zone you choose.

5. Get Your Company Registration

There are several stages to registering your company, which entails getting all the necessary documents approved. However, in the same procedure, you get your company license and registration. The DED will ask that you get the necessary authorisation from all other connected departments before issuing the license and registration.

6. Have Your External Approvals Ready

Depending on the type of business you are registering in the UAE, DED will ask you for approvals from outside sources. These can be from your bank, embassy, or any other external source linked to the setting up of your type of business.

7. Set Up Your Office

Once you set up an office, you can either rent a space or co-share a business hub, you can go ahead and apply for a visa to bring in foreign workers. The number of visas you are entitled to depend on the capacity of your office and how large your business is. Visa approval is obtained from the DED office.