Dubai is a vibrant country located in the middle-east region. Its world-class infrastructure & economy attracts many foreign investors. Another reason why Dubai is an investor magnet is that the country ranks number 1 in the world banks’ ease of doing business index for 2014. Hence, Dubai is a great place to invest in a business. Dubai is also a country with high living standards hence we see a large expatriate community living here. The official currency is the dirham (AED). The valuation of their currency is 1 USD = 3.67 AED.
Speaking further about Dubai, it is a liberal Arabic country. And that is why Dubai stands out far more than the surrounding neighbors. It is a melting pot of different cultures. Even though Arab Muslims are the majority in Dubai, they have a more liberal way of thinking. The hordes of Europeans, Americans & Asians seem to be the reason why there is more freedom than their neighboring counterparts.
There are three main categories in which you can open a company:
This article intends to elaborate & educate you on how to start an LLC in Dubai as a foreigner.
Step 1: Decide on a local partner.
You and your sponsor must have a good rapport to ensure the smooth function of the company.
Step 2: Naming and Business activity approvals from Department of Economic Development (DED)
Step 3: Look for suitable premises & sign the tenancy contract agreements
Step 4: Prepare a memorandum of Association (MOA) with the sponsor and submit to DED
Step 5: Submit MOA & license application at DED along with legal documents & tenancy contract.
LLC formation in Dubai is a simple and hassle-free process. LLC is the most common business entity in the Country. The rules & laws of LLC registration in Dubai is the same as all around the world. You must have 2 – 50 shareholders to form the company.
As the name suggests, a limited liability company means the owners’ personal wealth is protected. This is the most important feature in this type of business entity. In the case of debt incurred, the shareholder's liability limits to the share capital value. Hence the shareholders need not involve their personal assets to the company.
A limited liability company acts as a separate unit from its’ owners. Comparatively, there is less paperwork involved in forming an LLC. The rules revolving around an LLC is a little less strict than of other entities. One significant benefit is, holding Annual General Meetings & filing annual reports is not required.
Even though there are endless opportunities for you to start a business, we find that the following business ventures are most lucrative.
E-commerce
We all connect to each other irrespective of the physical distance through the use of the internet. E-commerce in short is doing business on the internet. You can buy and sell products & services on the internet. M-commerce is similar to E-commerce but with the use of a mobile device. E-commerce is a profitable venture in Dubai. It may not be as popular like in the west. However, there is so much room for improvement. As you are aware, Dubai is a tech-savvy nation. With the proper approach, you can be sure E-commerce will be very profitable.
Construction
It is a known fact that Dubai is high on building & renovating. They want to keep their infrastructure up-to-date & modern at all times. Hence, building & construction companies will never run out of business in the region. If you are thorough in construction and can deliver a quality service, you will be extremely rich in the land of camels in the near future!
Business Consultancy service
Like you, many want to see that their hard-earned money is invested in the right place. There are many investment opportunities in Dubai and there are equally eager investors flocking in. This is a situation where you, as a Business consultant can help. You need to be knowledgeable about incorporating businesses, rules & laws, etc. You can then help the new Entrepreneurs while earning an income for yourself. It is a win-win!
Domestic Services
Included in this area is house cleaning services, nanny services, hospice nurse, etc. Residents in Dubai are career-oriented individuals. Hence there are many opportunities in these areas. There is a demand for housemaids. It is a luxury to have a maid in an Emirati household. Thus, you can set up an agency to provide housemaids or cleaning services to these houses. There are visas available to hire maids from other countries.
School/Nursery/Day Care
This is another profitable entry. There is a large expatriate population in the UAE. And there is a demand for good schools, nurseries. Even daycares are in high demand due to the working population.
I have mentioned only the tip of the ice burg here. There are several other opportunities for you to explore and decide what suits you best. At S&F consulting, we have a team that can help you make the right choice. We will pay heed to your ideas & together we can make the best decision for your future!
All companies must adhere to the UAE Commercial Company Law (13) of 1988.
Let us see what rules are applied for LLC company formation in Dubai:
Documents required for incorporation:
After you have received the initial approval, the following are the documents you need to submit:
After company formation, the next step is applying for an Investor/employee visa. This visa holds validity, of, three years to investors. To apply for an investor visa, an applicant must have more than AED.70,000 worth of shares & a refundable deposit of AED.10,000. For applicants with a share value of less than AED.70,000, the deposit amount goes up to AED.20,000.
Here are the estimated costs involved in LLC Registration in Dubai.
Certain costs are one time. This means you have to pay it only once at the beginning of incorporation of your LLC.
| Initial approval from the economic department | AED.220 |
| Trade name approval | AED.720 |
| Notary Fees for Court (according to share capital) | AED.2000 |
| Typing LLC contract (In English & Arabic) | AED.1,160 |
Then you have the costs that incur annually.
Total Fees for Department of Economic development per Year is AED. 3020.
Here is the break-down.
| Trade license fee | AED.600 |
| Abbreviation | AED.2000 |
| Government Cultural Fees | AED.10 |
| Innovation Dirham Fees | AED.10 |
| Administrative Fees | AED.50 |
| Trade name advertising | AED.350 |
| TOTAL | AED.3020 (Approx.) |
You will pay a total of AED.12,447 as fees for external department.
| Market Fees | AED.950 |
| Employees Accommodation allowance | AED.1000 |
| Public waste related services | AED.1000(Normal)/AED.2000(Industrial) |
| Service improvement Fees | AED.400 |
| Fees for the chamber of commerce | AED.2200 |
| Ministry of Economy & commerce | AED.3000 |
| Smart social responsibility platform fees | AED.1500 |
| Trade License (Local) Fee | AED.200 |
| Fees for civil defense | AED.997 |
| Commercial license (Tejari fee) | AED.200 |
| Total | AED.12,447 |
Some other important expenses to note are:
You must take note that these are intended to give you a general idea about the costs you may face. The actual costs may differ according to activity, low-cost business setup in Dubai, number of partners, judicial approvals, external permissions, etc.
It may take approximately 2-4 months for an LLC in Dubai to set-up & start running.
| Visa procession Fee | AED.250 |
| Refundable security deposit (refundable) | AED.10,100 |
| Issue visa without exiting the country | AED.600 |
| Visa amendment (entry stamp on a visa without exiting) | AED.600 |
| Visa Stamping charges | AED.600 |
Additionally, you will need to recruit employees. These are employee visa fees.
| Reserve Quota | AED.50 |
| Visa application charges | AED.250 |
| Bank guarantee (refundable) | AED.3000 |
| Labor Card charges (A/B/C/D) | AED.653/1553/2053/3103 |
| Visa issue fees | AED.250 |
| Issue visa without exiting the country | AED.675 |
| Visa amendment | AED.600 |
| Medical Fees (Normal) | AED.370 |
| Visa stamping Fees | AED.560 |
Once you have established your LLC in Dubai, you may want to consider living costs in the region as you will be settling there.
Following is the cost of living for an Individual on a low budget.
Lodging: studio apartment (AED.1500-4000)
Utilities: Electricity (AED.400), Mobile package (AED.100+)
Food: A meal from a decent low budget restaurant will cost you AED.30. So, the budget for food will be about AED 600-1200. You can lower this cost by opting to cook your meals at home. Dry rations, vegetables, fruits & proteins are not only low in price. You will find them in abundance.
Medical: Most companies have you covered with medical insurance. However, those who do not have insurance must register for a Health card. The Dubai Health authority issue these cards & you can receive healthcare at a very low cost from government hospitals. The card will cost AED.320 & you may renew it annually.
It is mandatory to rent office space & Ejari to incorporate a Limited Liability Company in Dubai. It makes your business seem legitimate to the authorities. As it is anywhere in the world, rents tend to be higher in the capital city. Thus, an office of 700sqm in Bur Dubai will cost approximately 98,700AED per annum.
Larger offices (1000 sqm and above) are more expensive, costing around 150,000 AED per annum. Once you decide on office space you must then make a deposit to reserve it & take it off the market. The two parties can sign the final lease agreement after settling contractual terms.
Taxation in DXB
There is no tax legislation in Dubai. Whether you are a local or an ex-pat, you will enjoy tax-free income in the Emirates. Hence, there is no Income Tax, Withholding Tax, No tax on capital gains or inheritance, no stamp duty. Dubai residents can happily receive their entire income without deductions!
BUT, contrary to popular beliefs, Dubai is not all tax-free. There are a few taxes you cannot avoid. And those are indirect taxes.
Indirect Taxes in Dubai
Dubai Tourist Tax: 10%
Council Tax: Tax on utility bills & is receiving much criticism. Because, it is for street lighting, waste management, etc. & residents pay for this through maintenance fees.
Municipality Tax: 10%, 5% on rented accommodation collected for utilities
Dubai departure Tax: This tax is added to the price of the airplane ticket that either lands or takes off from Dubai Airports.
Other payments:
Excise Duties:
Now that we have good knowledge about the formation of a business in Dubai, let us see how we as investors can benefit from starting a business there:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the local & international banks in Dubai for foreign investors/companies?
When running a company, you will need to have a Bank account. A bank will provide you loans, manage your income & savings. There are four main types of banks in Dubai.
Which company does incorporation need special approval & license?
Please contact us if you require more information on how to open LLC in Dubai as a foreign national.
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