UAE COMPANY
- Art Teacher
- London, UK
- 5-7 Hrs
Registering a business in the UAE has never been so appealing, thanks to its zero corporate tax in numerous zones, 100% foreign ownership in free zones, and liberal business ecosystem. UAE Company is any legal business organization registered and operating under United Arab Emirates laws. You could be an entrepreneur, an investor, or a freelancer—it doesn’t matter. The UAE has several structures: mainland, free zone, or offshore. It can also be organized as LLCs, sole proprietorships, branches, or civil companies, depending on the nature of the business.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors
- Visa copy or entry stamp (for foreign nationals inside the UAE)
- Emirates ID and family book (for UAE nationals, if applicable)
- Business plan (required in some free zones)
- Proposed company name and business activity list
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current sponsor (if resident and employed in UAE)
- Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or tenancy contract)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA & AOA)
- Board Resolution (for corporate shareholders)
- Specimen signatures of shareholders/directors
- Choose Business Activity & Jurisdiction
- Reserve Trade Name
- Get pre-approval from the authority for license.
- Draft MOA & AOA
- Select Office Space
- Submit Documents & Pay Fees
- Get License Issued
- Apply for Visa & Bank Account
FAQs
Yes, foreign investors can now own 100% of companies in most sectors across Mainland and all Free Zones, with certain strategic sectors still requiring local participation.
Free Zone companies operate inside designated zones, offer full foreign ownership, and restrict business within the UAE mainland whereas, Mainland companies can do business anywhere in the UAE complying with UAE commercial laws.
Most Free Zones set low or zero minimum capital requirements, while Mainland companies often do not require a minimum share capital unless mandated by specific business activity or regulatory authority.
Foreign owners or employees with a Free Zone visa can sponsor their family members, provided they meet income and accommodation criteria.
Any non-English or non-Arabic documents must be legally translated and attested, including MOFA attestation if issued abroad.
The GM must be appointed through a Board or shareholder resolution, and the name must be included in the trade license. Some zones require Emirates ID or visa of the GM.
Delayed license renewal attracts fines per day or month of delay, and persistent non-renewal can lead to business suspension, blacklisting, or even company deregistration.
Generally, a physical office or “substantial presence” is essential to obtain a UAE Tax Residency Certificate. Virtual offices or flexi-desks alone may not always suffice for tax residency status.