Company registration process
The process looks complicated at first, but the order is fixed. Below is what happens at each step and who does what.
Registration steps
Determine the activity
The activity or activities that go on the licence. They must fully cover the work you're going to do.
Choose the structure
Free zone or mainland; which company type. Whether a local partner or service agent is required becomes clear here.
Approve the trade name
Name rules in the UAE are strict: offensive language, religious references and references to other organisations are prohibited. If a personal name is used, it must be the full name.
Obtain pre-approvals
If your activity needs authority approval, it is obtained at this step. This is what affects timing most.
Prepare documents
Incorporation documents, memorandum or service agent agreement, shareholder identity and share details, signing authorities.
Resolve the office or address
Flexi-desk, private office or warehouse. The choice affects both cost and visa allocation.
Pay the fees and collect the licence
Zone or economic department fees are paid and the trade licence is issued.
Visas and banking
Establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID; then the corporate bank account application.
Formation time depends on the activity, licence type, free zone and the approvals required. For standard structures the process can be completed in a short time. Activities requiring approval, and mainland incorporations, take longer.
What's asked of you
What we need from you through the process is short: passport copies for the shareholders, a few signatures and a few decisions. Correspondence with the authorities, the application file, the chasing and the missing-document exchanges are ours.
Free zone versus mainland
In a free zone the licence is issued by the zone authority; on the mainland by the relevant emirate's Department of Economic Development. 100% foreign ownership is standard in a free zone. It is also possible on the mainland for most activities; certain strategic sectors still require a local partner or a local service agent.
Speak to our specialists
At the end of the initial consultation you'll have the steps, the timing and the total cost in writing.