How to license a business in the UAE
License is the main authorization document allowing business to carry out a permitted economic activity in the UAE, both onshore and abroad.
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The activities that businesses can perform in the UAE are restricted to those listed in the entity’s license issued by the Economic Department in the relevant emirate. To start your business sucessfuly, you should choose the most appropriate type of license depending on the contemplated business activities. Knowing procedures of obtaining the license and pecularities of its renewal and cost is also very important. SORP provides a “turnkey” solution for incorporating your business in the UAE and offers a comprehensive range of services supporting your business needs in the country.
Choose the target for your contemplated business activity for incorporation in the UAE
Business license is a main statutory document which reflects the date of incorporation and expiry, listed permitted business activities, names of the owner and the manager.
Trading Business Licensing
Import, export, re-export. Wholesale and retail. Online commerce
For a local (mainland) company it is required for foreign parties to partner with a UAE national who must hold at least 51% of the shares in the local company. FZ incorporation is possible
Success of trade business in the UAE is backed with minimal taxation, great geographical location and high share of the paying population.
Find out more Success of trade business in the UAE is backed with minimal taxation, great geographical location and high share of the paying population.
Professional Services Licensing
Management consulting, services provided to the public, restaurants
A local (Mainland) company may be incorporated with a 100% foreign ownership, a service agent must be appointed. Free Zone incorporation is possible
Get the best of doing business in the UAE - the highest paying world market with high appraisal of available services and their quality.
Find out more Get the best of doing business in the UAE - the highest paying world market with high appraisal of available services and their quality.
Investment Activity Licensing
Investment management, financial consulting, lending and borrowing
An incorporated local company with a relevant activity will be governed and supervised by Central Bank of the UAE and Securities and Commodities Authority (CSA) of the UAE
Tax free activity in the UAE and abroad is combined with the possible interest and commissions recipience, capital and asset management
Find out more Tax free activity in the UAE and abroad is combined with the possible interest and commissions recipience, capital and asset management
Real Estate Business Licensing
Real estate agencies, developers, facilities management and estate consulting
The UAE governs the sector through Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Business incorporation should be local (Mainland).
The significant infrasructure spending and growth of the construction sector increased an amount of transactions and raised demand for services.
Find out more The significant infrasructure spending and growth of the construction sector increased an amount of transactions and raised demand for services.
Engineering Services Licensing
Engineering works, servicing the facilities, project management and design
The UAE governs the sector through the Building Department. The type of ownership of the company depends on the business activities.
The vast amount of construction projects in the Emirates sets global tasks for engineering contractors for enhanced performance and operation.
Find out more The vast amount of construction projects in the Emirates sets global tasks for engineering contractors for enhanced performance and operation.
Logistics and Transportation Licensing
Sea, land and air transportation, freight brokers as well as cargo warehousing
A company may be incorporated in a Free Zone or locally (mainland, a local partner must hold a 51% ownership). Permitted activities should be approved
A UAE logistic market growth unlocks a huge potential for business. Tax free regime sustains business profitability onshore and abroad.
Find out more A UAE logistic market growth unlocks a huge potential for business. Tax free regime sustains business profitability onshore and abroad.
Tourism and Hospitality Licensing
Business activity as a tourist agency, tourist operator company and consultancy.
The UAE governs the sector through the Tourism and Marketing Department. An incorporation can be made both locally (mainland) and in a Free Zone.
The significant potential of tourism and the hospitality sector in the UAE, along with the Government support, provides the business profitability in the country.
Find out more The significant potential of tourism and the hospitality sector in the UAE, along with the Government support, provides the business profitability in the country.
Construction Works and Services Licensing
Buildings and infrastructure construction, design and performing of finishing works.
The UAE governs the sector through the Building Department. An ownership structure of companies depends on the business activity.
Active construction across the country, high consumer demand provide orders download for construction companies , design and finishing works contractors.
Find out more Active construction across the country, high consumer demand provide orders download for construction companies , design and finishing works contractors.
Educational Business Licensing
Pre-schools, schools and higher education institutions, sport centers and learning courses.
Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regulates the sector in the UAE. Setup is available in mainland and in a Free Zone.
The sector is one of the top priorities for the Government support in the UAE. A growing demand for quality services provides the profitability for business.
Find out more The sector is one of the top priorities for the Government support in the UAE. A growing demand for quality services provides the profitability for business.
Free Economic Zones foster an attractive environment for those businesses focused only on international operations (i.e. outside of the UAE) and/or the economic activity within a free zone. The best alternative is to incorporate a company locally ( mainland of the UAE) to unlock unlimited investment benefits for conducting a true exterritorial business in the UAE and in any other destination abroad.
Our team of professionals will provide comprehensive legal advice on your business incorporation in the UAE
Contact us on WhatsAppThe stages of business setup in the UAE
Preliminary due dilligence
A thorough expertise of the competitive environment, with respect to contemplated business activities, is very important. Successful models of doing business in other countries may often not be effective in the UAE.
Choosing the most appropriate form of incorporation
A proper jurisdiction of your business setup will shape up a strategy of conducting business activities locally and internationally, an easiness of dealing with banks and financial institutions, as well as your general credibility.
Understanding licensing procedures
A business license should match a contemplated business activity as much as possible. The additional licensing requirements of local authorities should also be accounted for.
Choosing a type of legal vehicle
Depending on the licensed business activities in the UAE, the Law defines appropriate types of foreign ownership rights of your entity.
Obtaining a license and registering
Getting a license supposes the clearance of local authority requirements (if any), confirmation of the valid business address and payout of legal fees and duties.
Business consulting and renewing of a license
Choosing the right management consulting company will provide professional administration, legal support and a tailor-made solution to business needs. It will also renew the license and other permissions in a timely manner.
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SORP expert solutions for incorporating businesses in the UAE
SORP Group provides a set of solutions for licensing most types of businesses in the UAE. Being in close contact with Government authorities and holding the status of an agent in Free Zones, SORP guarantees prompt and seamless registration procedures.
Define a business model
SORP will advise on a right type of a license and on appropriate legal entity for your business
Incorporating and licensing
SORP’s expertise in the local corporate industry guarantees a support with utmost diligence.
Local Partner or Agent
Nominee service from SORP Investment LLC with a waiver in the Dubai court
Business address in Dubai
SORP Business Center provides clients with an office lease for the purpose of licensing and doing business with Ejari / Estidama, flexi-desks and virtual office.
Opening bank accounts
SORP has a close cooperation with leading banks in UAE, providing clients with a full range of support to ease compliance and passing all KYC procedures.
Business Administration
SORP provides legal and tax consulting, accounting as well as administration services to ensure that clients are supported with all their business and statutory needs.
Contact an expert
Get a tailor-made solution for prospectives of your business in the UAE
Contact us on WhatsAppGeneral requirements of the UAE laws towards the incorporated and licensed business entities
Term of the license
The license must be renewed annually, after having provided a full year audited financial report to the relevant authorities, a renewed office lease, as well as obtaining required approvals.
Licensing fees
A renewal of the license allows the relevant authorities to oversee the legality of conducted business and also represent a hidden “tax burden”. A licensing fee for renewal of permitted business activities in the UAE should be paid annually.
Administration procedures
Application for a renewal will be subject to the consent of economic authorities of a respective emirate or a free zone as at the start of an incorporation process. This procedure requires permission from the relevant authorities and a renewed lease contract and agency contract to be presented by the entity.
SORP’s license renewal services
According to the current legislation, each business license in the UAE must be renewed annually. This requirement remains the same for all types of entities incorporated locally (mainland) and in free economic zones.
Local partner or agent
SORP will provide a nominal UAE partner service and renew the previously conducted agreements and current contracts.
Annual office lease at SORP Business Center
SORP will allow you to save money each year by providing a lease of minimal required office space at its own SORP Business Center.
Professional administrative support for businesses
SORP provides renewal services for licenses, permissions and other statutory documents in the UAE, including complicated cases.
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How to conduct an international business being incorporated in the UAE
Protection from tax information exchange
Having a UAE domicile will exclude a business entity from an automatic tax information exchange by the CRS standard.
Confirmation of economic presence
While providing an expediency of operating activity from the UAE, a business entity will prove a legitimate tax optimization structure abroad.
Tax planning opportunities
UAE legislation provides a free capital control environment which is an important prerequisite for conducting international business activity for tax optimization and free cash settlements.
SORP services for providing business conducted internationally
SORP Group of Companies equips entrepreneurs with a unique set of business tools for effective tax planning and optimization of international economic activity through the means of UAE legislative norms.
Tax residency in the UAE
All UAE residents are protected from an automatic exchange of tax information when doing banking transactions.
International tax planning and optimization
Tailor - made solutions for enhancing tax optimization for international business through the UAE legislation.
Confirmation of economic presence
Proof of the economic presence in the UAE through the onshore management (decision) center and tax residency.
The global trend towards increased control over businesses leaves fewer legal methods to minimize tax burden, optimize cash flows and allocate funds to bank accounts. However, incorporation of a local company in the UAE provides businessmen with a complete set of tools for solving such problems, including protection from automatic exchange of tax information, information on bank accounts and other assets in accordance with CRS standards.
Get the tailor-made solution for prospectives of your business in the UAE
Contact us on WhatsAppSORP provides a full range of services for a business setup and management in the UAE
License your business as quickly as possible
Leave a request and receive a consultation about licensing your business in the UAE within 20 minutes.
SORP Group experts will help you define appropriate business activities and decide on the ideal place of incorporation and type of a legal vehicle.
Make your first step towards setting up your business in the UAE.
SORP Group experts will help you define appropriate business activities and decide on the ideal place of incorporation and type of a legal vehicle.
Make your first step towards setting up your business in the UAE.