Dubai, as one of the global business hubs, attracts investors from all over the world. To set up a company in Dubai, you need to meet the following basic requirements:

• Select company type: Choose a free zone company or an inland company based on your business needs.
• Obtain local authorization: Some company types need to work with local partners.
• Minimum capital requirements: Certain industries and free zones may have minimum investment requirements.
• Registered business address: A formal office address is required.
• Obtain a business license: Apply for the appropriate license based on the nature of your business.

Free Zone Company

Dubai has more than 20 free zones that provide specialized support for specific industries. Many free zones in Dubai allow standard trade companies from all walks of life to settle in, but some free zones only focus on a few professional fields and provide professional and professional support to companies in the zone. If you are interested in developing business in Dubai, you can first choose a free zone based on your business goals and the company's actual needs.

The most popular free zones include Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Dubai Internet City and Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC). Before deciding which free zone to choose for your company, it’s worth taking the time to learn more about each city.

Before applying for a free zone company, it is best for companies to first consider the following two points based on the company's needs.

• Choose a company structure: Limited company structures are divided into public limited liability companies (PJSC) and private limited liability companies (LLC). A public limited liability company is a business entity with multiple shareholders that can offer shares to the public for trading on a stock exchange. A private limited liability company refers to a limited liability company consisting of at least two and up to fifty shareholders, and is not open to public subscription or trading of shares.
• Understand the costs of opening a business: Fees will vary depending on the characteristics of the business, including office space and visas.

Before entering the formal application process, make sure you have all the information required for the application process, including all relevant documents, business plans and other documents required for the free zone. Each free zone is different, so it’s a good idea to check the specific requirements and timelines for your chosen zone first.

Application steps include:

1. Registering a company: The company owner needs to provide a copy of his or her passport; if a branch is set up in Dubai, the original company documents are also required.

Leasing business premises.

2. Obtaining a business license: It takes 3 to 5 working days on average.
3. Apply for other documents, such as setting up a bank account and arranging visas for foreign employees.

• The procedure for setting up an inland company is much more complicated than that in a free zone. Before formally applying to open a company, you need to make the following preparations:
• Apply for licenses such as Industrial License, Commercial License, Professional License, Electronic Trader License, Dual License.
• Choose a legal structure: general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, private joint stock company, public joint stock company, civil company, sole proprietorship; general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company and private joint stock company can be 100% owned by foreign capital.
• Check foreign ownership qualifications: Check whether the business the company intends to conduct allows 100% foreign ownership. Most commercial activities allow 100% foreign ownership, but certain strategic industries and activities do not, otherwise you will need to find a UAE partner.
• Check if additional approvals are required: Certain activities or company types require approval from other government departments or agencies.

Prepare necessary documents:

• Tourist visa (without a valid entry visa, you will not be able to conduct business)
• Copy of passport holder
• A copy of the applicant’s residence permit or visa
• Articles of Association (except one-person limited liability company)
• Other documents required to be submitted based on the company's circumstances

After completing the above procedures, you can start the company registration process:

Preliminary approval: The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism will review the business license application and related documents, and then issue a preliminary approval, allowing you to rent office space in the name of your company, etc.

• Register a Trade Name: Register a trade name, business activities, and corporate structure; you can also reserve a trade name before receiving initial approval. Shebai has specific regulations on choosing a business name.
• Receive a business license: Submit preliminary approval receipt, duly certified Articles of Association (MoA) and other documents.
• Since the procedures for setting up an inland enterprise are complicated, and there are many different company types to choose from, and the required documents are different, it is best to check clearly before registering.