Startup Your Business in UAE
You
might be thinking about starting your business in UAE. In this article, we will
discuss the basic knowledge that you should know before starting up your
business in UAE.
Why should you start up a
business?
There
are numerous advantages of setting up a business in UAE some of them are
mentioned below:
• You can start a business in any part of
UAE.
• The Unlimited number of visas.
• You will be eligible for more business
license in various other sectors.
• You will be exempted from business or
personal taxes.
Government Entities
First
of all, you have to contact the Department of Economic Development of the
respective state to obtain the approval or to register your company name. This
can be done by visiting the office or through the E-services option available.
Once permission granted then you can proceed with additional approvals depending
upon different business types.
You
can contact the Department of Economic Development present in different cities
as mentioned below:
• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Ajman
In
Fujairah, the activities are handled by Fujairah Municipal Authority.
In
unique cases, for example, setting up a PrJSC (Private Joint Stock Company), approval
by the Ministry of Economy is required first.
Where to start?
If
you intend to start a new business then you need to follow these steps as in order;
1.
Cost of setting up a business
Setting
up a new business includes raising capital, paying for licenses and work visas.
The cost to start up new business depends upon
• The nature of license required for specific
business type i.e. industrial, commercial or service provider.
• The legal structure of the company; either
it is a company, an establishment or the part of a company.
2. Capital
required for a Business
The
capital required to set up the business varies depending upon its legal form
for example to start a PJSC, at least 30 million AED is required and the
minimum amount to be paid in full is 5 million
AED.
The
minimum capital for other types is not specified by the UAE Commercial
Companies Law, while the below-mentioned conditions should be fulfilled in any
case:
• Memorandum of Association should state the
minimum capital
• You should have the minimum capital to
achieve the business purpose
3. Nationality of Partner
The
partner’s nationality is important in order to determine the type of business
that you can set up. Only a UAE national can set up the following type of
business
• Joint Liability Company but in case of a
foreigner, you must hold the business partnership with the UAE national
• Basic commandite organizations
• A
sole proprietorship of Industrial or Commercial type
• Home base business
• SME business in Dubai
While
the foreign nationals except for GCC countries can set up other types of
business. However, UAE national should be involved in the following conditions.
• UAE National partner having ownership of at
least 51% of a business
• In case of LSA (Local Service Agent) with
investor holding 100% ownership of a business
4.
Types of Company that require a UAE national
• Limited Liability Company
• PJSC having a minimum of five founders who
are UAE Nationals own 30%- 70% of the
company shareholders
• Civil Engineering Company with active
operations
5.
A Company that requires LSA
• A professional company with a sole
establishment
• Civil Engineering with no operations
• Foreign Company’s Branch
Setting up Your Business in
a Free zone
There
are a few contrasts between inland and a free zone. The primary contrast lies
in the idea of proprietorship, the contribution of UAE nationals as partners or
agents, the nature of trade or economic benefits.
In
the event that you don't wish to get yourself involved in a partnership with a
UAE national or you don't know any UAE National, you can set up a business in a
free zone. In the free zone, you are the 100% shareholder of your business.
The
Concept of a Free Zone
According
to the Dubai Multi Commodities Center, a free zone is an assigned land
territory where no restrictions or taxes are applied to business, trade or
employment in contrast to inland business.
In
a free zone, the goods can be imported, exported, handled and manufactured
without indulging the customs authorities. But once the goods are transported
inside the country from the free zone then, in this case, the customs taxes
will be applied.
A
free zone type includes seaports, national and international airport, border
areas etc.
What
are the Advantages of setting up a Business in a free zone?
Some
of the advantages of setting up a business in the free zone are mentioned
below:
• 100% tax emption on imports and exports
• You can easily send and receive capital and
profit with additional benefits
• 0% corporate duty
• 0% income tax
• 0% tax on imports and exports
• Simple licensing and start-up procedures