Business setup in UAE is no different from setting up a business in other regions. Although there are some differences, the entire process follows a similar routine. You have to contact the right authorities that will issue you a license and understand the operation rules for your type of business. In fact, UAE’s government has simplified the entire process to make it easier for new business entities. The following is some helpful information you should know when setting up a business in UAE.

Benefits of doing business on the mainland

• If you are setting up your business on the mainland, you will enjoy the following benefits.
• No personal or business taxes
• A wide range of businesses that could easily get licensed
• Visa application and approval do not have limits
• There is more flexibility to set up and run a business anywhere in UAE

Government establishments that will facilitate your business set up

Before you do any other thing, you should get in touch with the DED (Department of Economic Development). They are responsible to issuing approval and registering your business with a name. You can contact them through their e-service or by visiting them in person in their office. They will give you the initial approval before you can seek other additional approvals from the right agencies. The DED have their respective offices in the emirates of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. You should visit the DED at the emirate where you want to set up the business.

Cost

As you know, establishing a business requires capital, visas for your employees, paying for licenses, and other costs you may incur.

However, the actual cost will depend on the type of business you want to establish in the UAE. Your cost of set up and operation varies, whether service-oriented, industrial, or commercial business.

The business’s legal form will also impact the setup cost. If it’s a branch of a company, you may skip some registration processes. But if you are starting up a new company, you have to carry out full registration in all aspects.

Capital A PrJSC Company is required to have a startup capital of about AED 5 million while a PJSC company should have no less than AED 30 million.

Remember, there is no maximum number of licenses for any given company in UAE. The business environment is very favorable for investors who are looking to take advantage of the expanded UAE market.