Determine the
Business Activity
Choose a
Business Structure
Select a
Business Location
Reserve a
Trade Name
Apply for
Initial Approval
Draft MOA and Local Service Agent Agreement
Secure a
Business Location
Open a Corporate
Bank Account
Set Up
Employment Visas
Determine the
Business Activity
Before getting involved in the legal process, you must identify the business activities you plan to undertake. You can have multiple options; an HR consultancy license in Dubai is considered one of the best. In addition, the IT consultancy license in Dubai is also effective. The decision is all yours for your management consultancy business.
Choose a
Business Structure
Dubai offers various business structures, each with its requirements and benefits; opting for the right one for your business brings ease to handling future business requirements:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Branch Office
- Free Zone Company
Select a
Business Location
You can set up your business on the mainland or in one of Dubai’s many free zones. Each option has its advantages:
Mainland:
If your business operates on the mainland, you can trade directly with the UAE market and take on government projects.
Free Zone:
Start a consulting business in Dubai free zone offers benefits like 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and simplified import/export procedures.
Reserve a
Trade Name
Choosing a unique trade name for your business is another crucial part of your planning. Ensure the chosen name complies with the naming regulations of the Department of Economic Development (DED). The holder ensures the name does not include offensive language, religious references, or abbreviations of your name.
Apply for
Initial Approval
Once you have a clear picture of business activity along with the name, submit an initial approval application to the DED or the respective free zone authority. This approval indicates that the UAE government has no objection to you starting a business in Dubai.
Draft MOA and Local Service Agent Agreement
You must draft and notarize the Memorandum of Association (MOA) with your local partners for an LLC. If you are setting up a branch office or a sole proprietorship, you may need a Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement.
Secure a
Business Location
Obtain a physical office space and get a tenancy contract. This is required for the final licensing process. The office space should meet the requirements set by the DED or the respective free zone authority.
Open a Corporate
Bank Account
Select a suitable bank and open a corporate bank account. You will need your trade license, MOA, passport copies of the shareholders, and other documents as required by the bank.
Set Up
Employment Visas
To hire employees, you must apply for employment visas through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the respective free zone authority.