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Registration of a company in the UAE
- Price:from 4200 EUR
- Term:from 2 weeks
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East. Here the world is developing at the speed of light, and advanced technologies have already become part of every inhabitant. The UAE generates a huge number of investors who are ready to invest in promising areas of activity. Not surprisingly, in 2022, this particular jurisdiction topped the ranking of the best countries for entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah are some of the most popular regions for the registration of foreign companies.
The Emirates should be considered for registering a business in the field of investment, international trade, consulting services, IT, crypto-activities, operations with intellectual property, a logistics company and for creating a tax-free offshore in the UAE.
- identification of the client according to the KYC procedure
- registration procedures
- payment of the registration fee
- services of a legal address for a year
- legal and tax advice
- preparation of a package of corporate documents
- one courier delivery
- identification of the client according to the KYC procedure
- registration procedures
- company name reservation
- preparation of a package of corporate documents
- submitting an application to the Economic Department
- payment of the registration fee
- notarization of the company's charter and agreement with a local partner
- services of a local agent (partner) for a year
- assistance in finding and renting premises
- company immigration card (Establishment Card)
- registration with the Ministry of Labor
- company stamp
- professional legal services
- legal and tax advice
- one courier delivery
- verification of the company's compliance with all compliance and KYC criteria
- legal support of the company
- services of a legal address for a year
- legal and tax advice
- verification of the company's compliance with all compliance and KYC criteria
- legal support of the company
- company immigration card (Establishment Card)
- services of a local agent (partner) for a year
- legal and tax advice
Opening a business account for a company in the Payoneer or Emerald24 payment systems is a comprehensive service from our company. This service does not require additional payment, as we strive to ensure the most comfortable start of your company and emphasize the importance of our cooperation. You pay only bank fees in accordance with the requirements of the payment system, and we take full responsibility for communication with the payment system and collection of documents.
Please note that this offer is valid only if the company's activities comply with the specified payment systems (high and ultra-high risk are not included in the list of permitted activities).
- 1 The UAE is not a classic offshore zone, but a jurisdiction with benefits and a tax-free regime
- 2Access to Asian and Middle East international markets
- 3Registration of an offshore company is allowed in the Emirates
- 4There are no requirements to hire resident employees to work with FEZs
- 5A wide range of permitting activities in the FEZ
- 6Non-residents are eligible for full corporate ownership (limited to local companies only)
- 7Absence of currency control, as well as customs duties on import/export
- 8Shareholders and employees, as well as their family members, are eligible for UAE residence visas
- 9The geography of doing business is international, and it is also possible to operate on local market
- 10Data on company participants and their ultimate owners are not public
The UAE tax system is popular for its ability to register offshore companies. Such firms do not conduct commercial activities within the country, do not become tax registered, do not have a real presence in the UAE, and as a result, they do not pay local taxes.
Resident local companies that enter into contracts in the UAE and conduct business within the country must become tax registered, register as corporate tax payers and obtain a tax registration number. Such companies are subject to a corporate tax rate of 9% if their taxable income exceeds 375 000 AED.
The exception is small businesses with an annual income of up to 375 000 AED, for which 0% is applied. Also, resident and non-resident natural persons who have income from business activities in the UAE are required to pay 9% corporate tax if their income exceeds 1 million AED (about €250 000).
Income tax in the UAE is not applied to dividends and other distributed income received from a resident of the UAE or from participation in a foreign legal entity (if there is a qualified shareholding). Also, the income of a permanent establishment is exempt from tax if the tax at the rate of 9% is paid in the relevant foreign jurisdiction.
- The absence of taxation also applies in the Free Economic Zones of the UAE under certain conditions if the company:
- • has a sufficient level of substance in the UAE;
- • carries out qualified activity and receives income from it;
- • does not exceed the minimal requirements for non-qualified income (FZP non-qualified income must not exceed 5% of total income or 5 000 000 AED);
- • is not subject to ordinary corporate tax;
- • fulfills the requirements for the reporting audit;
- • complies with transfer pricing provisions (if required).
If a company in the Free Zone ceases to meet any of the above conditions, it will lose its preferential status for five years and will be taxed according to the general rules at the rate of 9%.
Registration as a VAT taxpayer is required for all companies that have a turnover within the UAE, trade with the countries of the Persian Gulf or export/import goods. In addition, if the trade turnover of a company from the FEZ is more than 375 000 AED, registration is also required.
Non-residents can open a company in the UAE as an offshore company, as a local Emirate company or as a licensed company in the Free Economic Zone (most popular in Dubai).
Local companies are created in the form of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), and allow non-residents to own a 49% corporate share.
You can open an offshore company in such Emirates of the UAE as Ajman and Ras al-Khaimah. The share of ownership of non-residents is not limited here and can be 100%.
Free Zones also allow full foreign ownership, and companies are formed in the form of FZE if there is a sole owner and in the form of FZC if there are several owners. Each emirate and free economic zone has its own characteristics and different conditions for doing business.
- Capital – minimum amount claimed is 10 000 AED. There are no payment requirements.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency. Can perform both managerial and secretarial functions.
- Director – at least one private or corporate person of any residency. The position is compatible with the shareholder.
- Secretary - at least one private or corporate person of any residency. The position is compatible with the shareholder.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - the company must not have a real presence in the UAE.
- Registered address - local registered agent and virtual office required.
- License - not allowed.
- Equity - minimum 50 000 AED, proof of payment is not required.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency. Can perform both managerial and administrative functions.
- Director - at least one private person of any residency. The position is compatible with the shareholder.
- Secretary - not required.
- Manager – required, an individual from among the shareholders can be appointed. A business license is issued for the manager of the company.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - the presence of a local office allows you to issue from 3 visas to the UAE.
- Legal address - a local virtual or real office is required.
- License - trade, service, production, E-commerce.
- Capital - the minimum formed amount is 50 000 AED, if the number of shareholders is up to 5, more than 10 000 AED for each additional shareholder.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency. Can perform both managerial and administrative functions.
- Director - at least one private person of any residency. The position is compatible with the shareholder. The maximum number is 6.
- Secretary - Required, an individual may be appointed from among the shareholders or directors.
- Manager – Required, an individual may be appointed from among the shareholders or directors.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - the presence of a local office allows you to issue from 5 visas to the UAE.
- Legal address - a local virtual or real office is required.
- License - trade, service, production.
- Capital – there is no minimum amount. 150 000 AED is used as standard, there are no payment requirements.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency.
- Director - at least two individuals, one of which is a resident of the UAE.
- Secretary - Required, a resident natural person must be appointed. The position is compatible with the director.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - it is enough to have a virtual office, which allows you to apply for up to 7 visas.
- Legal address - must be located on the territory of the UAE.
- License - commercial, service, production.
- Capital – the minimum required amount depends on the type of business.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency.
- Director - at least one individual resident of the UAE.
- Secretary - Required, a resident natural person must be appointed. The position is compatible with the director.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - a virtual office is sufficient.
- Legal address - must be located on the territory of the UAE.
- License - logistics, trade, national, service, production.
- Capital – the minimum required amount depends on the type of business.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency. Can perform both managerial and administrative functions.
- Director - at least one private person of any residency.
- Secretary - not required.
- Manager – required, an individual from among the shareholders can be appointed.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - if trading activities are planned, a real local office is required.
- Legal address - virtual or real office in the jurisdiction.
- License - trade, service, commercial, E-commerce, professional.
- Capital - the minimum declared amount is 300 000 AED.
- Shareholder – at least one private or corporate person of any residency.
- Director - at least one private person of any residency.
- Manager – required, an individual from among the shareholders can be appointed.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name, the size of the authorized capital. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - to obtain a visa and open a bank account, rental housing is required.
- Legal address - virtual or real office in the jurisdiction.
- License - trade, commercial, consulting, for freelancers and micro-businesses.
- Capital - the amount depends on the type of business, the minimum declared amount is 300 000 AED.
- Shareholder – at least two private or corporate persons. A local company with one shareholder can be created as a Sole Establishment.
- Director - at least one private person of any residency. The position is compatible with the shareholder.
- Secretary - not required, optional.
- The register of beneficiaries is closed, information about owners is not disclosed to the public.
- Available information - about the name. Data of shareholders and directors are confidential.
- Substance requirements - the presence of a local office is mandatory.
- Legal address - must be located in the territory of the jurisdiction.
- License - service, commercial, production.
- Local partner - with a commercial and production license, the share of the local partner must be 51%, the share of the foreign partner is 49%. With a service license, the share of the local partner is 0%, and the local partner must act as a service agent.
All companies registered in the UAE, including those in the Free Economic Zones, are required to keep accounting records.
Submission of financial statements depends on the form and place of registration of the company:
- not required in FEZ UAQFTZ, RAKEZ, DMCC, AJMAN and offshore;
required in FEZ JAFZA, HAMRIYAH and for a local LLC company.
An audit is required for companies registered in the FEZ RAKEZ, DMCC, HAMRIYAH and in the form of an LLC in the UAE mainland.
Onshore firms with a taxable supply of goods exceeding 375 000 AED /year within the UAE are required to keep tax records and file tax returns. To implement these requirements, it is also necessary to obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN).
- 3 desired company names
- description of directions of work of the future company
- business plan
- national and foreign passports of the shareholder, manager and director
- confirmation of the address of registration of the shareholder (for example, a receipt for utility bills) with a notarized translation into English
- confirmation of the director's registration address (for example, a utility bill) with a notarized translation into English
- confirmation of the manager's registration address (for example, a utility bill) with a notarized translation into English
- CV-resume of shareholder, manager and director
- completed KYC form (“know your customer”) for shareholder/manager/director
If you have any additional questions, you can always contact us for a free consultation on how to register a company in the UAE or in the Dubai FEZ. Ask the lawyers of our firm about the possibility of buying a ready-made offshore company in the UAE.
Please note that when creating a local company in the UAE, a personal visit to the country of the shareholder/director is mandatory. In addition, a mandatory requirement in all UAE banks is a personal visit of the account manager in the UAE to meet with a bank representative.