Business entities in Dubai in 2024

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Setting up a business in Dubai is complex and time-consuming for foreigners. Like other Emirates in the UAE, Dubai indeed implements restrictions on foreign-ownership except in the free zones. Foreigners are additionally required to find local sponsors, appoint local lawyers and secure costly licenses when registering a local company. For these reasons, we usually recommend our Clients to form Dubai free zone companies or to use alternative expansion strategies such as appointing a local distributor.

  • Doing business in Dubai with a locally registered entity

    • The Dubai free zone company

      • The best strategy to legally avoid the requirement to form a joint venture in Dubai is to register a company in a Dubai free zone. Such entity can be registered with i) only one shareholder; ii) one director, who can be a foreigner and does not need to be resident in Dubai and iii) a lease agreement for office, warehousing or industrial space within the free zone;
      • Healy Consultants Group will assist our Clients to find the optimal Dubai free zone corresponding to the nature of their business and to the type and size of their operations. Kindly refer to our fee page for further details on the different types of free zones available in Dubai;
      • Dubai business entities are legally exempt from corporate income tax, which does not exist in Dubai on both local and foreign sourced income. However, our Clients willing to trade with Dubai residents will be required to appoint a local sponsor before being allowed to do so. Healy Consultants Group can assist to complete such appointment if required;
      • All companies registered in the UAE must i) create and maintain a register of their ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) and ii) submit UBO data to the relevant registrar or licensing authority
      • Best uses: Dubai Free Zone Company is an attractive vehicle to legally minimize international taxation. Setup company in Dubai free zone companies will allow our Clients to conduct business with international customers and suppliers as well as with other UAE free zone companies without the need of an Emirati partner.
    • The Dubai offshore company

      • Dubai offshore company formation is the quickest and most cost-effective way to enter the country;
      • Is suitable for those Clients looking to conduct international business only;
      • This entity cannot rent office premises within UAE, sponsor employee visas, import/export products to/from UAE nor issue invoices to UAE Clients;
    • The Dubai limited liability company

      • Foreign investors can form a local limited liability company in Dubai to provide professional services including legal and accounting consultancy, IT and management consultancy, and marketing consultancy. In such industries, the company can be wholly foreign-owned (but still require appointing a local sponsor);
      • In other industries, the Dubai authorities require foreigners to form a joint venture with a UAE national, who must hold at least 51% of the shares of the entity. For this reason, Healy Consultants Group usually recommends our Clients to register a company in a free zone, where such requirement does not apply;
      • Before Healy Consultants Group can complete incorporation of the company, our Clients must also sign a lease agreement for physical office space within Dubai. We can assist our Clients to find a quality office (for example shared office space) whenever required;
      • All companies registered in the UAE must i) create and maintain a register of their ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) and ii) submit UBO data to the relevant registrar or licensing authority;
      • Best uses: registering a Dubai LLC is suitable for those Clients i) in need to issue invoices, import and deliver products to UAE mainland customers or ii) that have a reliable joint venture partner who is an Emirati national.
  • Doing business in Dubai with a foreign entity

    • The Dubai branch office

      • Establishing a Branch is one of the safest ways to enter the region as it allows our Client to retain 100% foreign company ownership in UAE. That said, the appointment of a UAE national agent (click here) is required;
      • A Dubai Branch operates under the same name and is authorized to conduct the same business activity as its parent company. A branch can i) lease office premises ii) issue sales invoice to UAE and international Clients and iii) sign local legal contracts.
      • A branch cannot engage in manufacturing, import nor export of products to/from the United Arab Emirates.
      • Best uses: registering a branch in Dubai is advisable for service entities looking to conduct business locally.
    • The Dubai representative office

      • Dubai representative office is only allowed to engage in activities such as i) promoting the business of the parent company and ii) market research. Procedures and requirements to register a representative office in Dubai is similar to those applying to a branch.
      • Best uses: a representative office recommended to our Clients who are willing to prospect the UAE market, without running yet commercial operations.
  • Dubai licensing considerations

    • All companies registered in Dubai are required to obtain at least one operating license, even if they are registered in a free zone. The three types of business licenses in Dubai:
      • Commercial licenses – to conduct commercial operations and invoice customers;
      • Industrial licenses – to conduct productive operations, such as manufacturing or re-packaging products;
      • Professional licenses – to offer professional services, such as consultancy, accountancy or law services.
    • All licenses must be renewed every year;
    • Such operational licenses are not to be confused with regulatory licenses which may be required to provide/produce certain types of products and services, such as banking services for which a banking license must be granted by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
  • Doing business in Dubai without a local company

    • To minimize business setup costs, our Client can alternatively sign an agreement with a local partner who will distribute their products, hire local staff act as their company representative in Dubai and provide other corporate services which may be required for the specific business purpose seek by our Client;
    • Healy Consultants Group will assist our Clients to sign a quality agreement by i) sourcing different quality potential business partners who have the experience and network of contacts needed by our Client ii) conduct due diligence on the top candidates iii) draft a legal agreement protecting our Client’s interest and iv) negotiate the best possible fees for the services rendered by the local partner;
    • For additional information on this alternative strategy, kindly refer to our agents, distributors and sponsor page.
  • Table of comparison between different Dubai entities

    LLC Free zone Branch Rep office Offshore
    Also known as: Dubai LLC Dubai Free Zones Dubai Branch office Dubai RO Jebel Ali Offshore
    How long to set the company up? 2 months 2 months 3 months 2 months 2 weeks
    How long to open company bank account? 5 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks 6 weeks
    Legal liability? Limited Limited Unlimited Unlimited Limited
    Minimum shareholders? 1 1 Parent company Parent company 1
    Wholly foreign owned? Yes, a professional service LLC Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Minimum share capital for registration? US$1 varies US$1 US$1 US$1
    File annual tax return? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
    Corporate bank account options? ADIB Noor Bank Emirates Islamic ADIB Emirates NBD
    Does our Client need to travel? No No No No No
    Resident director required? No No No No Yes
    Local shareholder required? Yes No No No No
    Local sponsor required? Yes No No No No
    Minimum directors allowed? 1 1 1 1 2
    Corporate shareholders allowed? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Individual shareholders allowed? Yes Yes No No Yes
    Dubai corporate tax rate? 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
    Annual financial statements required? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
    Statutory audit required? Yes Yes No No No
    Allowed to issue sales invoices in Dubai? Yes Yes Yes No No
    Allowed to sign contracts with UAE entities? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
    Allowed to import and export goods? Yes Yes Usually no No No
    Can rent an office in Dubai? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
    Can buy UAE property? Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    Can own equity in other UAE companies? Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    Total Dubai business setup costs in Yr. 1 US$28,660 US$30,124 US$35,450 US$26,200 US$22,393
    Subsequent annual costs (excl. accounting and tax fee) US$7,990 US$11,357 US$8,300 US$4,900 US$10,143
    Sample engagement fee invoice View invoice PDF View invoice PDF View invoice PDF View invoice PDF View invoice PDF

Recruitment questionnaire: Dubai







    • Message from our Chairman

      Dear candidate,

      In 2022, Healy Consultants Group is increasing the strength of our Dubai team. We are currently seeking Media Officer to join our Firm. We work Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

      Since 2003, we assist Clients with subsidiary incorporation in every country in the world, together with legal, accounting and tax and banking support.

      Aidan Healy

      Aidan Healy

      Business owner

    • Message from our CEO

      Dear candidate,

      If you are interested in applying for a position in a young, dynamic international high-tech e-commerce consulting company, please complete the 5 minute questionnaire below. Within two days of submission, our HR Department manager will email you to arrange a video interview. Before your interview, it is wise you are familiar with our website.

      Chrissi

      Chrissi

      CEO

    • Healy Consultants in Middlesex University Dubai Career Fair 2023

    • Your contact details

      To help our in-house Human Resource Department communicate with you, I would be grateful if you complete this form:

      1. Your name?*

      2. In which city do you live?

      3. What languages do you speak?

      4. What is your highest level of education?

      5. Your email address?*

      6. Your Skype video call ID?

      7. Attach your resume here*

      8. Your cell phone number?*

      9. Your preferred date and time for a video interview?

    • Working with Healy Consultants Group

      To help our in-house Human Resource Department evaluate your ‘fit’ in the organisation, I would be grateful if you complete this form:

      1. What are your monthly salary expectations?*

      2. Are you familiar with our Staff bonus policy (click link)?*
        YesNo

      3. Are you most motivated by results, relationships, or data?*
        ResultsRelationshipsData

      4. How soon can your start work with Healy Consultants Group?*

      5. Are you comfortable reporting to a Manager that is in a foreign office?*
        YesNo

      6. Indicate proportion of time you want to spend communicating with our multinational Clients and international Staff?

        Staff

        Clients'

      7. Indicate proportion of time you want to spend working in a team or independently?

        Team 0%

        Independent 100%

      8. Rate your proficiency with using Microsoft Office?

        Poor 0%

        Expert 100%

    • Jobs at Healy Consultants Group

      We are currently looking for candidates for different roles.

      From the job you are applying for, complete the role specific questionnaire below. Thank you

    • The Media Officer Role

      We are looking to hire a Media Officer to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for this position

      1. Do you have experience in managing content on different platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & Quora*
        YesNo

      2. Do you have professional experience in video editing?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you have experience in writing content for blogs and press releases?*
        YesNo

      4. Do you enjoy designing visually attractive and creative pieces of content? *
        YesNo

      5. Are you familiar with Microsoft office applications?*
        YesNo

      6. What online communities have you managed in the past?*

      7. What social media tools are you familiar with? *

      8. Can we see some examples of the social media projects you've worked on?*

      9. Are you familiar with the company formation process and the services we offer? *
        YesNo

      10. Mention some basic ideas you would suggest for our business to grow our Social media reach?*

    • The CRO position

      We are looking to hire Client Relationship Officers to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for this position

      1. Do you have experience in client relationship management?*
        YesNo

      2. Do you have experience in project managing international engagements?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you enjoy research, networking and creating web pages for a business web site?*
        YesNo

      4. Do you enjoy finding solutions to challenges imposed by lawyers, accountants and Government bodies?*
        YesNo

      5. Are you familiar with company formation process and the Trade Registry?*
        YesNo

      6. Do you have experience in Microsoft 365 and Dropbox administration?*
        YesNo

      7. What business web site platform / client management system are you familiar with?*

      8. Do you feel stressed with deliverable deadlines?*
        YesNo

      9. Do you have experience in providing remote business advisory?*
        YesNo

      10. Are you interested in posting updates on Healy Consultants Group social media platforms?*
        YesNo

      11. Do you feel comfortable with phone and video communication*YesNo

      12. Are you familiar with MS office applications?*
        YesNo

      13. What other sales experience do you have?*

      14. Do you like to analyze website data and prepare reports?*
        YesNo

    • The accounting role

      We are looking to hire 2 senior accountants, to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for accounting position

      1. Are you interested in learning about accounting and tax practices across multiple different countries?*
        YesNo

      2. Are you interested in learning about legal and compliance practices across multiple different countries?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you enjoy preparing financial statements?*
        YesNo

      4. Do you enjoy preparing corporation tax returns?*
        YesNo

      5. Are you interested in internal audit?*
        YesNo

      6. What accounting software are you familiar with?*

      7. Are you familiar with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)?*
        YesNo

      8. Are you interested in researching and writing local and global tax and accounting centric content for our business website?*
        YesNo

      9. Are you interested in posting updates on Healy Consultants Group social media platforms?*
        YesNo

    • The Legal & Compliance Officer role

      We are looking to hire 1 compliance officer, to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for the legal & compliance officer position

      1. Are you interested in learning about legal and compliance practices across multiple different countries?*
        YesNo

      2. Are you interested in learning about legal and compliance regulations across multiple countries?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you enjoy reviewing due diligence documents of Clients, third-parties and suppliers?*
        YesNo

      4. Do you enjoy conducting KYC checks on individuals and legal entities?*
        YesNo

      5. Are you interested in reviewing Client files and conducting on going checks?*
        YesNo

      6. What AML-database/software are you familiar with?*

      7. Are you familiar with AML/CFT regulations of DMCC?*
        YesNo

      8. Are you ACAMS qualified?*
        YesNo

      9. Do you have prior experience working with a Corporate Service Provider?*
        YesNo

      10. Are you interested in researching and writing local and global compliance regulations content for our website?*
        YesNo

      11. Are you interested in posting updates on Healy Consultants Group social media platforms?*
        YesNo

    • The Human Resource role

      We are looking to hire 1 HR officer to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for HR officer position

      1. Are you interested in learning about human resources practices across multiple different countries?*
        YesNo

      2. Are you interested in learning about labour law regulations across multiple countries?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you enjoy reviewing employment contracts for internal applicants as well as for clients? *
        YesNo

      4. Do you enjoy hiring, developing and looking after employees?*
        YesNo

      5. What HRMS software are you familiar with?*

      6. Are you familiar with labour law regulations of DMCC?*
        YesNo

      7. Are you interested in researching and writing local and global human resources and labour law regulations content for our website?*
        YesNo

      8. Are you interested in posting updates on Healy Consultants Group social media platforms?*
        YesNo

    • The Executive Assistant / Administrative Assistant role

      We are looking to hire 1 Executive Assistant and 1 Administrative Assistant to support our Dubai office. Read this web page to learn more about the role. In the meantime, please answer the questions below. Thank you:

      *Fill in NA or No if you are not applying for this position

      1. Are you effective at preparing communications such as minutes of meetings, memos, emails, reports and other correspondence?*
        YesNo

      2. Do you enjoy scheduling and coordinating staff and other meetings?*
        YesNo

      3. Do you enjoy creating and maintaining filing systems, both electronic and physical?*
        YesNo

      4. Are you good in maintaining a list of pending and completed tasks and enjoy following up until the task is marked as completed?*
        YesNo

      5. Are you good at attending tasks in short notice?*
        YesNo

      6. Are you able to identify the importance of a task and thereafter prioritizing those to be completed first?*
        YesNo

      7. Are you comfortable multitasking several tasks at the same time?*
        YesNo

      8. Are you comfortable running out-of-office errands multiple times a week?*
        YesNo

      9. Do you have a good record keeping style?*
        YesNo

      10. Are you familiar with Microsoft Office software?*
        YesNo

      11. Are you familiar with outlook?*
        YesNo

      12. Are you comfortable to act as the point of contact for internal and external clients?*
        YesNo

      13. Have you had any similar work experience as this role?*
        YesNo

      14. Are you interested in posting updates on Healy Consultants Group social media platforms?*
        YesNo

    • Conclusion

      Thank you for completing and submitting this questionnaire. It will help Healy Consultants Group’s Human Resource Department more accurately identify candidates that are suitable for our Dubai office. Please submit this form now.

    Contact us

    For additional information on our business setup services in Dubai, please contact our in-house country expert, Ms. Chrissi Zamora, directly:
    client relationship officer - Chrissi