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Setting up Business in the UAE Free Zones Setting up Business in the UAE Mainland

Important Notes Identify Business Activity Determine Business Structure Register Trade Name Apply for Initial Approval
Identify Business Activity (License Type) Determine Business Structure Register Trade Name (License Type)

For more information, refer to: While a business structure is primarily based on the needs of the To register the name of your business (or its Trade Name), certain An ‘initial approval’ means that the UAE Government has no
Types of Business Licenses in Free Zones Free Zone • Trade names for businesses in the Free Zone areas also follow the general guidelines set by the Department • Procedures and fees manual - The UAE Ministry of Economy Business Activity business, it will also determine applicable laws and regulations guidelines must be followed. In general, Trade Names: objection for a business to be established in the country. It also
allows the investor to proceed with the next steps to set up a
to adhere to.
of Economic Development of the relevant Emirates. • Starting a business - Abu Dhabi eGovernment Gateway business. It does not however grant the authority to run the
• Starting a business in Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi eGovernment Mainland business, or practice the business activity.
Gateway License type to be issued by UAE
Commercial/Trade Consultancy/Services Industrial Free Zone Limited Liability Free Zone Company (FZ Free Zone Establishment • Opening a branch of a foreign company in Abu Dhabi - Abu Must be followed by the Business Structure acronym (Legal Form Important Notes
of the company), for example (LLC, EST, PJSC, PrJSC).
Company (FZ LLC) Co.) (FZE) Dhabi eGovernment Gateway • Foreign investors must obtain the approval of the General Directorate of
• Investing in Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector - Abu Dhabi General Partnership Limited Partnership Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs before getting the initial approval.
eGovernment Gateway Options for Business Structure • To apply for an initial approval, external approvals of bodies governing the
STEP 03 • Abu Dhabi Business Center Types of Business Licenses Company (LLC) Public Joint Stock country. • Securities and Commodities Authority-related activities
Educational Media eCommerce • Trade licences guide - Abu Dhabi Chamber (or the legal form of business, including parties associated) Should not violate public morals or the public order of the following activities are required:
• Legal Department-related activities
Limited liability
• Services’ guide - DED Abu Dhabi
Company (PJSC)
Offshore Freelance Warehousing STEP 02 • Opening a business - The official portal of Dubai Government Must be compatible with the required type of activity and the
• Managing and expanding your business - The official portal
of Dubai Government
Foreign Companies’
Company (PrJSC)
• Selling your business - The official portal of Dubai Government Industrial Commercial Private Joint Stock Representative Offices legal status of the company or business entity.
• Register your business in Dubai - DED Dubai
Manufacturing Innovation Others STEP 04
• Process and requirements to start a business in Sharjah - Professional Tourism
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority Civil Company Sole Establishment Should not contain names of any religion, or governing authority,
• Investor Guide - Sharjah nor names or logos of any external bodies.
Agriculture Occupational
Foreign Company Local Company
• An investment/business can have more than one business activity. Branch Branch
STEP 01 • The business activities are grouped into four main categories, also called Must not have been previously registered.
• There are >2,000 business activities to choose from the UAE list.
the ‘type of business license’
Important Notes
Free Zone Company GCC Company Branch
Branch • The relevant Emirate’s Department of Economic Development approves
trade names. (The Municipality, in case of Fujairah).
Membership Application to • The Ministry of Economy approves trademarks.
Chamber of Commerce Holding Companies • Trade name certificates are subject to renewal.
• Fees: Trade name reservation fee; additional fees are sometimes charged: for
STEP 01 example, for trade names with special characters, regional references, cannot
be translated in Arabic, etc.
Important Notes
• The Business Structure (or the Legal Form of Business) must match the
business activity. For more information, please refer to:
UAE list of some Business activities and respective Business Structure
• For Definitions and requirements, per Business Structure, refer to UAE DED websites:
• Abu Dhabi Chamber: Trade Licence Manual and Business startup and Operationalisation
Trade License is Issued • Dubai Department of Economic Development: Start Your Business in Dubai STEP 03
• Sharjah Investment and Development Authority: Process and Requirements
• Ajman Department of Economic Development: FAQ - Issue Business License
• Ras AlKhaimah Department of Economic Development: Issuing Licences
• Umm Alquwain Chamber: Licensing Procedures
• Government of Fujairah: Doing Business in Fujairah
STEP 02
Membership Application to
Chamber of Commerce
STEP 04 STEP 09
STEP 05 Chamber of Commerce
Registration
Choose Business Space / Location
Registration of the business in the relevant Emirate’s Chamber
of Commerce is required to operate a business.
Obtain Approvals Office requirements
Options are available to For ‘Freelance type’ of depend on the number STEP 07
buying or leasing office business license, a virtual of employees and type of
spaces in Free Zones. office is often accepted. business activity of the
Additional approvals from relevant UAE government entities also apply for select business activities. company.
General requirements to obtain “initial approval” from the Free Zone:
Obtain Additional (applicable) Government Approvals Required
The relevant Free Zone Office spaces in Free Zones are either fully furnished or
STEP 06 Completed application Business plan certificate (if applicable) Authority prepares lease partially furnished and can be used as soon as the business In some cases, additional approvals from government entities governing certain business activities are required. Examples of some activities
Copy of existing trade
agreements.
licence/registration
license is issued.
form
that require approvals:
Health Authority of the Emirate Ministry of Interior
• Utilities and telecommunications are set up by the Free Zone, including
Coloured passport Registry Identification Specimen signature STEP 08
copies of the company’s Code Form (RIC) for of the company’s • Full time, in-house IT support
shareholders, appointed appointed Manager shareholders, appointed • Telephone devices and connections Health-related activities General transport - Driving Schools, Fire Equipment, Alarm &
Register Business Manager (original and notarised) Manager • Wireless internet connection Safety Systems, Used Car Dealers, Used Auto parts, Car rental STEP 05
• High-speed internet access
• Data network connection Submit Documents and Pay Telecommunications Regulatory Executive Council
• IP Telephony Authority, Licensing Department
NOC from current Complete LSA / MOA
• Registration fees and licence fees must be paid to obtain initial approval. The fees depend on the type of sponsor (for individuals) Unit title deed Letter of Intent • Services and facilities vary from one Free Zone to another. In general, Free Zone authorities provide the
licence required. following services and facilities: Business License (Trade License) will be issued upon submission Travel & Tourism - General Services - Charter Trading - Ship
• To register the business with the Free Zone, the following documents must be submitted: of all required documents and payment of fees. Telecommunications & Maritime Agencies - Car Clubs - Charter Air Transport -
• Enquiring, reserving and applying for trade names In an effort to continually improve “Ease of Doing Business” in Foreign Company Branches. STEP 06 Depending on the Business Structure (Legal Form of Business),
2 years’ audited financial reports for corporate entity or certificate • Getting NOC letters/’To whom it may concern’ letters the UAE, several Emirates have introduced a fast-track approach Municipal Government of relevant Emirate, a completed and signed Memorandum of Association (MOA)
of reference from a personal bank of the individual shareholder • Issuing, renewing and cancelling visas in obtaining Business Licenses. Ministry of Justice or a Corporate Agent Agreement with the Local Service Agent
Board Resolution • Investing and funding opportunities Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (LSA) of the business is required.
Completed application appointing Manager/ Power of Attorney given • Credit rating • Dubai DED is leading the move, with its:
to Manager/Director
for registration Director (notarized and (notarized and attested) • Legal advice Finalize Business Location In general, a Memorandum of Association (MOA) is required
attested) For ‘Freelance business type’, general requirements to obtain “initial approval” from the Free Zone: • Furnished/semi-furnished offices Legal activities, Legal Consultancy for the following Business Structure types:
• Warehouse Instant License initiative, issuing license in just 5 minutes, Food and Beverage related activities
• Telecommunications in a single step without having to register a trade name, Ministry of Economy
• Utilities legal contract or even a rent contract. Municipal Government of relevant Emirate
Memorandum and Specimen signature Passport-size photo Application for CV Bank reference letter • State-of-the-art IT infrastructure All businesses in the UAE must have a physical address to Civil Company Limited Liability
Articles of Association of Manager/Director of Manager/Director registration • Secretarial services operate. The business premises and location must comply Company
(notarized and attested) (notarized and attested) against white • Photocopy and printing services with the requirements defined by the Emirate’s Department
background Insurance activities, Insurance Consultancy of Economic Development, as well as the zoning regulations of
• Meeting rooms with AV facility Start Business service to speed up Business License Architectural and engineering activities the local municipalities
• Transportation issuance for LLC businesses. Private Shareholding
Registry Identification • Labour accommodation Supreme Petroleum Council Public Shareholding
Code Form (RIC) (original • Assistance with recruitment Important Notes Important Notes Company Company (Private
Share capital information and notarised) • Employee and family housing Important Notes • External approvals of bodies governing the following activities are required: • Office, warehouse rental agreement must be provided. Some Emirates Joint Stock Co)
• Associated fees need to be paid within a certain amount of days (usually 30 • Legal Department-related activities require an attested document. In Dubai, the agreement must be registered
days) upon issuance of payment voucher. Non-payment will result in the • Securities and Commodities Authority-related activities Onshore-Offshore Gas and Oil-field Services, Onshore- with Ejari http://www.ejari.ae/ Important Notes
cancellation of the application. • Special Approval - AD Chamber of Commerce • Multiple trade licenses issued using a single business address, with certain • law firm, notary public prepares these documents. In some cases, the Legal
• Payments can be made through authorized banks and service centers. • No Approvals Activities: Dubai Department of Economic Development Offshore Oil Drilling Operations restrictions and conditions. Refer to each Emirate’s DED. Affairs Department of the Emirate’s DED may also provide assistance.