Setting up in Business Dubai

1. Activity details (preferably business plan)
   Activities such as recruitment, printing, transport, hotel, construction, engineering, restaurants are allowed only outside free zones. Therefore a business plan is required to guide you. Also some activities are allowed only in specific free zones only.


2. Number of visas required. If more than one, then cost of registration will increase as visa costs are linked to the size of the office.
   Visa requirements - now
   Visa requirements - later


3. Physical use of office or 'virtual office' (ie sharing as in business centre)
   Most of the free zones which are economical are far away from the commercial city of Dubai (30-45 minutes distance and approximately 30 kilometres away).


4. Want to do business in the local market?
   In the case of a trading company, sales in the local market is possible on payment of a 5% customs duty and a dealer or agent has to be appointed.


5. Do you need a premium location (ie in the commercial hub of Dubai)
   Dubai has a better image than other cities such as Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah or Fujairah.


6. Do you want to set up a company in the free zone or outside the free zone?
   In the free zone, foreigners can be the 100% owners. Outside the free zone, LLC have to be set up with 51% UAE nationals and 49% foreign ownership.


7. Do you need warehouses? If yes, please specify the size required.
   At the moment warehouses are available in a few free zones.


8. Are you planning to set up an industry?
   Please let us know the size of land required and submit a layout of the proposed factory together with a detailed project report and company profile.