How do you register a company in the UAE?

Registering a company in the UAE is an opportunity to enter the global market with minimal tax obligations. This country provides zero or very low-income tax, fast registration, 100% company control, modern infrastructure, and the possibility of obtaining a resident visa. Antwort Law specializes in providing clients with everything they need to launch a successful international business in the UAE. Let's look at the basic stages of registering a company in this country.

Step 1: Selecting a company type

It is necessary to select the appropriate type of company carefully. We provide in-depth advice, considering options such as free zones, offshore companies and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each of these options has its advantages and limitations. For example, free zones in the UAE provide unique tax benefits and exemptions. On the other hand, offshore companies are often used for international tax planning and privacy. An LLC, the most common choice, provides management flexibility and shared responsibility.

Interesting fact: The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each with its characteristics, providing entrepreneurs with a wide range of options to choose the optimal platform for their business.

Step 2: Selecting a free zone

If you choose to register a company in a free zone, it is important to consider the following aspects:

Type of activity: different free zones specialize in various industries; for example, Dubai Internet City is focused on IT companies, and Dubai South provides space for industrial enterprises.

Benefits and requirements: each free zone offers its advantages and requirements. For example, the Ajman Free Zone is focused on industrial complexes. Study the benefits and conditions of each zone in detail.

Location: Consider the geographic location of the free zone. Some provide strategic access to certain markets, which may be important to your business.

Costs: Estimate the cost of registration and maintenance in each free zone.

Support: Find out about additional services and support the free zone provides. For example, the possibility of renting office space in Dubai South.

Antwort Law will help you evaluate the benefits of each free zone available. We will tell you about the specialization of each of them and help you choose the one that best suits your type of activity and strategy.

Step 3: Preparing documents

At this stage, collecting certain documents is necessary to complete the company registration process successfully. The standard list of documents consists of the following items:

- Draft Memorandum defining the structure and rules of the company;

- Passport and photograph of the director;

- Information about the beneficial owner (information about the real owners of the company);

- Lease or property agreement confirming your legal address in the UAE;

- Business plan with a detailed description of the company’s planned activities;

- Application for registration.

Different sets of documents may be required depending on the chosen free zone. For example, Dubai Internet City, specializing in IT companies, requires additional technical specifications of your business to ensure that they align with their specialization in IT companies. Therefore, it is important to adapt the preparation of documents to the requirements of a specific free zone. Our experts will consider all the features so your company successfully passes this stage.

Step 4: Submitting documents

After competent preparation of the necessary documents, submitting them for company registration in the UAE begins. Here's what you should know:

Where to submit documents: documents are usually submitted to the registration offices of the selected free zone or the competent authorities responsible for the registration procedure.

Form of submission: It depends on the specific free zone, but it is often offline submission in person or through a representative. In some cases, online filing is possible.

Additional steps: Some free zones may require you to pay registration fees along with your documents.

The UAE is trying to make the document submission process as efficient and fast as possible. For example, the Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone has a one-stop shop system where entrepreneurs can submit all the necessary documents in a single centre, speeding up the process.

Step 5: Arrive in the UAE

In most cases, when registering a company in the UAE, the personal presence of the director is not required. The registration procedure can only be completed with his physical presence. However, requirements may vary depending on the chosen free zone and the type of company. For example, it may be sufficient for most free zones and LLCs to provide notarized copies of documents signed by the director. In some cases, notarization of the signature of an authorized representative is required.

After successful company registration, a corporate bank account is opened, which is only sometimes easy to obtain. We have extensive experience working with local banks and will help you easily choose the right bank and open a business account. Our legal team is always ready to answer your questions and provide the legal advice you need on your path to successful company registration. Antwort Law is your reliable partner in registering a company in the UAE.