FAQ’s
Get prompt responses from a friendly, professional and knowledgable support team.
If you are a non-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) national aiming to establish a business with a commercial or industrial license in the United Arab Emirates mainland, you will indeed require a local sponsor to serve as a business partner. However, if you opt for a free zone setup or engage in business activities covered by a professional services license, the need for a local sponsor in Dubai or local sponsorship UAE is not mandatory. Foreign investors can often set up their companies in free zones, however, a local sponsor in Dubai is not required.
Does our company need a local sponsor?
For most incorporation options, an office or office facility is required. For mainland businesses in the UAE, the office can be located anywhere within the Emirate of incorporation. For Free Zone companies, there must be an office within the Free Zone. Most Free Zones offer hot desk facilities that can be used for registration. This flexibility can make it easier to start a business in Dubai or other parts of the Middle East.
Do we have to have an office?
Visa allowance is linked to the size of the office as well as the designation of the staff. Typically, 40 sqft of office space per visa is the standard. Business setup in Dubai allows flexibility in the number of visas, and the setup depends on the business type, office space, and number of employees needed for your business operations.
How many visas can we have?
Incorporation time depends on the jurisdiction and the structure of a company. Mainland businesses in the UAE can be incorporated within two to three working weeks provided all the relevant documentation is in place. Some Free Zones can take longer depending on their own internal KYC and registration processes. Dubai company formation agents can expedite this process by handling the paperwork and guiding you through the requirements.
How long does it take to incorporate?
Share capital requirements depend on the jurisdiction. For most mainland companies in Dubai, there are no minimum capital requirements; however, some restricted activities require one.
​
Most Free Zones do not require a minimum share capital except for some of the more established authorities, such as DMCC, which requires AED 50,000 paid-up capital to be deposited prior to the license issuing.
​
Business setup in a Free Zone typically has more lenient capital requirements, which is beneficial for foreign investors looking to set up their business in Dubai or elsewhere in the Middle East.
