Questions answered
Short, direct answers to the questions people ask most before setting up in the UAE.
100% foreign ownership
Yes, in most cases. How 100% foreign ownership works on the mainland and in free zones, and the activities that still need Emirati participation.
Set up without visiting
Which parts of UAE company setup can be done remotely, which free zones allow online incorporation, and when you need to travel.
Minimum share capital
Is there a minimum share capital for UAE companies? Mainland and free zone rules, paid-up requirements and regulated activities.
Do I need an office?
When a UAE company needs a physical office, when a flexi-desk or virtual office is enough, and how office size affects visas.
Multiple activities
How many business activities can be added to a UAE trade licence, rules on combining activities and the cost of extra activities.
Free zone trading on mainland
Whether free zone companies can sell to mainland UAE customers: services vs goods, distributors, mainland branches and dual licences.
What is DET?
What Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism does for companies: mainland licensing, trade names, tourism approvals and business registration.
What is an MOA?
What a memorandum of association is for a UAE company, what it contains, notarisation, amendments and why banks ask for it.
Who is a UBO?
The definition of an ultimate beneficial owner under UAE rules, the 25% threshold, control through other means, and why it matters.
Owning a company while employed
Whether UAE employees can own a company: employer permission, visa sponsorship, working for your own company and conflicts of interest.
How long setup takes
The short answer on Dubai company setup timelines: free zone and mainland licences, visas and bank accounts.
Local sponsor and service agent
The difference between a local sponsor and a local service agent in the UAE, when each is needed after the 2021 reforms, and typical arrangements.
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
Comparing Dubai and Abu Dhabi for company setup: jurisdictions, costs, sectors, DIFC vs ADGM, lifestyle and banking.
How to choose a free zone
A step-by-step method for choosing a UAE free zone: activity, visas, office, budget, reputation, banking and tax.
Trade name rules
Rules for choosing a UAE company name: prohibited words, religious and political terms, abbreviations, owner names and the legal suffix.
Company name approval
How trade name reservation and approval work in Dubai and UAE free zones, validity period, rejections and alternatives.
Initial approval
What DET initial approval means, when it is needed, how long it takes and what comes next.
What is a trade licence?
What a UAE trade licence is, the types of licence, what information it shows and why banks and clients check it.
Residence without a company
Ways to get UAE residence without owning a company: employment, Golden Visa, Green Visa, remote work, retirement, property and family.
Setup mistakes
The most frequent mistakes international founders make with Dubai company setup, and how to avoid them.
Company without residency
How non-residents own UAE companies: which steps need a visit, banking without residency and when to take a visa.
Glossary
Plain-English definitions of UAE company setup, visa, banking and tax terms: DET, MOA, UBO, Ejari, WPS, QFZP, TRN, goAML, establishment card and more.
Talk it through with a specialist
Tell us where you live, what the business does and what you need from the UAE. We reply within one business day with a recommended structure and a fixed quote.