andrew henderson menu

Andrew Henderson

Founder of Nomad Capitalist and the world’s most sought-after expert on global citizenship.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

What we’re all about

MEET OUR TEAM

Meet our 60+ global team

CONTACT US

We’re here to serve you

FAQS

Your questions answered

TESTIMONIALS

Read our testimonials

NEWSLETTER

Get free email updates

NC-image-menu

ACTION PLAN

Our flagship service for entrepreneurs and investors

ACTION PLAN ELITE

Create your Action Plan directly with the Mr. Henderson himself

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Claim a second passport based on familial connections

ALL SERVICES

Click here to see all our products and services

PASSPORT INDEX

Discover the world’s best passports to have in an ever-changing world

CITIZENSHIP MAP

Explore the citizenship options using our interactive citizenship map

TAX MAP

Explore the tax details for countries using our interactive tax map

ALL RESEARCH

Click here to see all of our research and interactive tools

THE WORLD’S #1 OFFSHORE EVENT

Learn from our R&D playbook and meet like-minded people at our annual event.

NOMAD CAPITALIST THE BOOK

Andrew Henderson wrote the #1 best-selling book that redefines life as a diversified,
global citizen in the 21st century… and how you can join the movement.

Offshore

Setting Up a Company in the UAE: The Ultimate Guide 2024

Fallback Image

How could setting up a company in the United Arab Emirates work for you? Going offshore is a way to reclaim financial freedom, and starting a business in top-tier Dubai is the smartest of moves. Our comprehensive overview covers everything about a UAE company setup.

The United Arab Emirates is always open for business. Where your home jurisdiction puts obstacles every step of the way, company formation in the UAE may offer a more streamlined process. The United Arab Emirates is the new frontier of UHNWI investment.

If you’re thinking about establishing your business in the UAE or somewhere else, our holistic approach will help you get your business established quickly and effectively. Contact us to start your journey to more financial freedom.

Six Benefits of Incorporating in Dubai


UAE Country Overview

The United Arab Emirates is a country of seven individual emirates. Of these, the two most significant ones are Abu Dhabi, the largest and the location of the region’s oil industry, and Dubai, whose port city of the same name has established itself at the center of worldwide business. The 2023 population is 9.26 million.

UAE – Climate

In the UAE, there is no escaping the heat. A hotter and drier interior borders a hot and humid coastline. Many tourists head to Dubai to top up their tans, and its warm business climate invites you to dive headfirst rather than dip your toes in.

UAE – Culture

The UAE is one of the world’s biggest expat communities. It has been built on hospitality and tolerance. With nationals from more than 200 different countries living in the United Arab Emirates, this is one genuinely multicultural country, although there remains a reverence for traditional Arab and Islamic values.

United Arab Emirates
Would you like to set up a limited liability company in the UAE?

UAE – Economy

Where Abu Dhabi, home to the United Arab Emirates capital, relies on petroleum, Dubai has diversified. The establishment of UAE free zones has facilitated the growth of foreign companies.

According to the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the UAE’s digital economy is predicted to hit $140bn by 2031 and increase the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP to more than 20%.

UAE - Economy
The Department of Economic Development (DED) issues business licenses in the UAE

Benefits of Starting a Company in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates knew what it wanted: foreign investment and how to get it, enticing incentives. Unsurprisingly, it has attracted the world’s leading investment companies to open offices in the Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates Government is committed to advancing its approach to business activity in the UAE. They have pioneered the Bashr service for setting up a company online.

This integrated eService allows investors to establish their companies in the UAE within 15 minutes through a unified online platform. This platform links with federal and local government entities to supply business licenses.

Abu Dhabi Business Centre provides investors with an instant license to start their company online. They receive the commercial license without having to travel to the UAE to pick it up in person.

Dubai Economy and other Dubai government entities governing relevant sectors launched the Dubai Virtual Commercial City Program for global entrepreneurs and investors. This allows investors to open a virtual company in the Emirates even if they do not reside in the UAE.

Previously, the UAE required that at least 51% of the shareholders in a company reside within the country. However, under the Amending Commercial Companies Law, this is no longer the case. Today, you can incorporate an LLC in the United Arab Emirates with 100% of the shareholders residing abroad.

By opening a business in the UAE, you’re opening the door to acquiring a UAE residence visa.

The UAE has long been known for being a zero-tax country. However, that has changed with the announcement of a new corporate income tax of 9%, applicable to income above 375,000 dirhams or $100,000. 

However, a free zone company can maintain a 0% tax rate by meeting certain conditions. Although there are many tax exemptions available for businesses operating across strategic sectors, the latest government data released suggests that not all free zone companies would be exempt. 

Navigating these rules and maintaining your zero-tax status may be more confusing and challenging than previously thought. By becoming a Nomad Capitalist client, we will analyze which tax system is right for you and your new business. We’ll also handle all the paperwork and make the process easy and straightforward.

Opening a Business in the UAE Requirements

The UAE is divided into three different economic zones:

  1. UAE Mainland
  2. UAE Free Zone
  3. Offshore

Each of these jurisdictions caters to different business requirements. Although there are differences in terms of company formation procedure, all broadly resemble the following mainland template.

Identify a Business Activity

Your business activity is the foundation for selecting the legal form and type of license, whether commercial, industrial, professional, etc. Deciding on a business activity is like laying the first brick of a house. There are six types of licenses. They are the following:

  1. Industrial
  2. Commercial
  3. Professional
  4. Tourist
  5. Agricultural
  6. Occupational

If you are finding it difficult to decide which business activity to practice in the UAE, don’t worry. A company can have more than one business activity, with more than 2,000 business activities to select from in the UAE.

When you get to this stage, you need to realize that the legal form must match the business activity. Take your pick from one of the following legal forms that can be opened on the UAE mainland, in a free zone, and offshore:

  • General partnership
  • Limited partnership
  • Limited liability company (LLC)
  • Public joint stock company (PJSC)
  • Private joint stock company (PrJSC)
  • Civil company
  • Local company branch
  • GCC company branch
  • Foreign company branch
  • Free zone company branch
  • Sole Establishment
  • Holding company

Choose the option that best suits the functions of your company and offers the best benefits.

Select the Trade Name of Your Business

A company name has to conform to the UAE’s strict titling conventions. Otherwise, the relevant economic department is not going to approve your company name. The trade name must:

  • Be followed by the acronym of the legal form of the company, where appropriate, such as LLC, EST, or PJSC
  • Not contravene UAE’s public morals or order
  • Be consistent with the required type of activity and the legal status of the company or business entity
  • Exclude names of any religion, governing authority, or names or logos of any external bodies
  • Not have been previously registered.

The local Department of Economic Development registers the trade name, while the Ministry of Economy registers the trademark.

Solicit Initial Approval From Government Authorities

Initial approval doesn’t automatically mean solid approval. Rather, it means you’re on the right track towards getting your business established in the UAE. Interpret an initial approval as the UAE Government, via the Department of Economic Development or respective Free Zone authority, expressing its willingness for your company to be established in its country.

It also permits the investor to proceed with the next steps in setting up a business. However, an initial approval does not give you carte blanche to run or practice the business activity.

Complete and Sign a Memorandum of Association or Local Service Agent Agreement

Depending on the legal form of a business, you will need to fill in and sign a memorandum of association (MoA) or a local service agent agreement (LSA). You will need to submit an MoA for the following business legal forms:

  • Limited partnership
  • Limited liability company
  • Public joint stock company
  • Private joint stock company.

Only UAE-based law firms, courts, and notary public are authorized to prepare and attest to MoAs and agreements.

Determine Your Business Location

All UAE companies must conduct their operations from a physical address. These premises must meet the requirements defined by the particular emirate’s Department of Economic Development, as well as the land planning regulations of the local municipalities.

If you don’t own your office space and warehouse, you will need to provide proof of the rental agreement. Some emirates require these agreements to be notarized.

Attain Additional Government Approvals

Additional approval from other government entities governing specific business activities is required in certain situations. For example, the Ministry of the Interior issues additional approvals for activities related to general transport, such as driving schools, fire equipment, alarm and safety systems, second-hand car dealers, used auto parts, and car rental.

The Ministry of Justice covers legal activities, while the local municipal department looks after architectural and engineering matters.

Travel and tourism, including car clubs, charter air transport, and foreign company branches, are the remits of the Executive Council, while the Ministry of Economy is charged with monitoring insurance activities.

Then there’s the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, which oversees telecommunication activities. The Local Municipal Department looks after architectural and engineering affairs.

Collect the Business License

Foreign investors can now collect the business license from the relevant Department of Economic Development service centers or secure an online electronic copy. They will need to submit documents to enable them to engage in UAE business activities:

  • Initial approval receipt and previously submitted documents
  • Copy of the lease contract attested by Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)
  • Memorandum of association or local service agent agreement
  • Further official approvals

You will need to pay for your trade license within 30 days of receiving the demand. Otherwise, your application will become void.

What sort of business in the UAE are you interested in running?

UAE company
What sort of business in the UAE are you interested in running?

Opening a Business in the UAE Conclusion

Although the low corporate tax rate of between 0 to 9% is an appealing aspect of opening a business in the UAE, tax reforms are gradually emerging across the Gulf, and the UAE’s tax-free status has been slowly evolving first with the introduction of the 5% value-added tax, and now the 9% corporate tax.

The UAE’s new tax rate is a step to keep up with the global minimum corporate tax from the OECD, which seeks to ensure that big businesses pay a minimum of 15% corporate tax across the board. We are interested to see if the UAE 9% corporate tax goes up in the future. 

The company formation and application process is much easier and more direct than in other countries. Being able to either establish your company digitally or physically makes the UAE unique. Most countries have residential or other restrictions in place for establishing your company overseas.

The process can be a little confusing, though, and no one wants to go through this type of process without help. Our team at Nomad Capitalist has helped thousands of clients make the best decisions for their businesses, families, and personal goals. Become one of our clients and let us help you achieve your goals and go where you’re money and time are most valued.

Initial approval is a critical step in forming a business in the United Arab Emirates.

Opening a Business in the UAE FAQ

Can a Foreigner Start a Company in the UAE?

Yes. Many foreigners choose to start a business in Dubai, for example. Expats make up over 80% of the population, with several of those owning their own businesses. Dubai encourages investors and business owners from overseas to set up shop in the city.

How Many Types of Trade Licenses Are There in the UAE?

The Department of Economic Development offers six types of trade licenses. There are industrial licenses, commercial licenses, crafts licenses, tourism licenses, agricultural licenses, and professional licenses.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Business in Dubai?

Budget between 20,000 and 30,000 Emirati Dirhams (around $5,446 to $8,169). The cost of UAE company formation increases in direct proportion to the extra privileges you require. So, a foreign trade name or additional approval from a governing entity can raise the price.

Is Dubai a Good Place to Start a Business?

Starting a business in Dubai is a breeze. The city has cemented its position as one of the top startup locations. A business-friendly culture and innovation are the driving forces behind Dubai’s continuing relevance in the world of entrepreneurship.

We can help you much more than starting a business in the UAE. Our holistic plans will help to propel your economic development and include instructions on where and when to open a corporate bank account.

GET ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR REDUCING TAXES AND BUILDING FREEDOM OVERSEAS

Sign up for our Weekly Rundown packed with hand-picked insights on global citizenship, offshore tax planning, and new places to diversify.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Reduce Your Taxes And Diversify Your Wealth

Nomad Capitalist has helped 1,500+ high-net-worth clients grow and protect their wealth safe from high taxes and greedy governments. Learn how our legal, holistic approach can help you.

What do you want to accomplish?

Let us know your goal and we will tell you how we can help you based on your details.

$

We handle your data according to our Privacy Policy. By entering your email address you grant us permission to send you the report and follow up emails later.