The UAE is home to some of the most profitable businesses. The amazing taxation policies, world-class infrastructure and availability of affordable resources are among many reasons so many people want to register a company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this article, we are going to tell you: - How to register a company in the UAE - What are the documents necessary to register a company in the UAE - How long does it take to register a business in the UAE - And what are the various benefits of registering a company in the UAE
There are primarily two ways for you to establish a company in the UAE. You can register the company either in the UAE mainland or in the UAE free zones. A free zone in the UAE is an economic area with its own set of business regulations that are especially beneficial to the types of businesses it supports. One of the major benefits of registering a company in the UAE free zone is that you can own 100% of the company despite being a foreigner. However, based on the nature of business activity, some companies registered in the UAE mainland cannot have more than 49% foreign ownership. While the processes for company registration in the UAE mainland and free zones do not differ vastly, we are going to specifically talk about free zones in this article.
Here is the step-by-step company registration process in the UAE free zones. 1. Determine the nature of your business activity There are more than 40 free zones in the UAE and they cater services to different types of businesses based on geographical and other advantages. Your first step to register a company in the UAE would be to specify what kind of business you plan to register. This could be anything including manufacturing, e-commerce, educational, consultancy services or more. 2. Specify your company’s legal structure For you to register a company in the UAE free zone, it has to follow one of the following legal structures: - Free Zone Limited Liability Corporation (FZ LLC) - Free Zone Establishment (FZE) - Free Zone Company (FZ Co.) This legal structure determines the requirements and the regulations that apply to your business. For instance, FZE can have only one shareholder but there must be at least 2 shareholders for FZ LLC when registering a company in the UAE. 3. Decide and register your trade name Next, you need to choose and register a trade name for your company. Here are some considerations when picking a trade name to register a company in the UAE. ● The trade name must have abbreviations of the legal structure of the company as suffixes (for example LLC) ● The trade name should not contain inappropriate words and should not be offensive to the general public ● The trade name must be compatible with economic activities ● The trade name must not contain the names of rulers, government agencies or the names and logos of external government bodies ● The trade name must not be registered by another company ● The trade name and trademark must be approved by the Department of Economic Development and the Ministry of Economy, respectively ● Trade name certificates are subject to renewal Additionally, here is a detailed document for trade name registration guidelines. 4. Decide upon business space and location The next step is to identify the free zone that fits your business activity and avail the necessary services. For instance, at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), you get a wide range of services for the business including licences, flexi facilities, office spaces and land for development based on applicability. 5. Get the initial approval Based on the nature of your business activity and the free zone for business, the next step is to get all the necessary approvals to register a company in the UAE. This is usually a simple and quick process if you possess all the required documents. 6. Pay the fee and get the company registered in UAE The final step is the payment and you will have your company registered in the UAE. The fee amount depends upon the free zone, the nature of the business activity and the services you avail to start the business.
You will have to provide certain documents during the approval process to get the company registered in the UAE. Here is a list of documents commonly required during the company registration process in the UAE. ● Business plan ● Copy of existing trade licence/registration certificate (If applicable) ● Passport copies of the company’s shareholders and appointed manager ● Registry Identification Code Form (RIC) for appointed manager (Original and Notarized) ● Specimen signatures of the company’s shareholders and appointed manager ● Title deeds (If applicable) ● A brief letter clarifying the investment idea and the investor's plan (Letter of Intent) ● 2 years of audited financial reports or certificate of reference from a bank (As required)
The company registration process in the UAE can be completed even within 4 working days. Some free zones, like RAKEZ, have simple procedures to register a company in the UAE and it might take even less time to set up a business with them.
There are multiple upsides to registering a company in UAE free zones. For instance, here are the various benefits of setting up your business with RAKEZ. - 100% foreign ownership - Fast and efficient business process set-up - Wide-ranging business and industrial facilities - Provision to build on-site staff and labour accommodations - One-stop shop for all government services and more.
If you are also looking to register a company in the UAE then you might want to check out the services offered by RAKEZ. There is a wide range of options for business licence types including commercial, e-commerce, industrial and more. You get assistance not just for company set-up but for most things revolving around the business set-up. Check out their UAE business set-up packages that take care of everything without any hidden charges.
1. What are the primary types of legal structures available for company registration in the UAE free zones? Ans: There are three primary legal structures for company registration in UAE free zones: ● Free Zone Limited Liability Corporation (FZ LLC) ● Free Zone Establishment (FZE) ● Free Zone Company (FZ Co.) 2. What documents are needed for company registration? Ans: You need a business plan, passport copies of shareholders and managers, a Registry Identification Code Form and a Letter of Intent among others. 3. How long does it typically take to register a company in the UAE free zone? Ans: The company registration process in the UAE free zone can typically be completed within 4 working days. Some free zones, like RAKEZ, offer even quicker procedures for business set-ups. 5. What are the benefits of registering a company in the UAE free zone? Ans: Benefits include 100% foreign ownership, fast set-up and extensive business facilities.
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