Dubai Company Registration

“Offshore” means that you are incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction in the UAE, but you do not have to come to the country and operate and rent an office there;
 “There are more than 40 free zones in the UAE and you will need to choose the right one for your specific business.
 “Economic companies”, also known as local companies, mainland companies and insured companies, are registered in the UAE mainland (not a free zone) and are licensed and regulated by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Currently the DED allows 100% foreign ownership in some sectors, but some sectors require a local or 100% local-owned company as a sponsor (Sponsor) with a minimum of 51% local ownership. Specific business areas do not involve local ownership, but do require a local guarantor.

The most registered type of company may not necessarily be the most suitable for you, but it depends on your business plan: offshore companies cannot operate locally in the UAE, and their main purpose is to hold, isolate risks, rationalize tax avoidance, international investment, etc.; free zone companies are convenient for you to develop global business, not limited to local business in the UAE; Ministry of Economy companies are convenient for developing local business in the UAE, and it is easier to win bids for government projects.

Offshore companies are highly confidential, simple to register and have very low maintenance costs, generally do not require audits, do not require leased offices, are free to settle foreign exchange, and avoid trade barriers;
 Free zone companies can be 100% foreign-owned, exempt from corporate and personal income tax, and 100% capital repatriation freedom;
 Economic companies can cooperate directly with local companies and expand local business in the UAE, with a wide range of registered addresses and offices to choose from, and no restrictions on capital repatriation.

There is no minimum capital requirement for offshore companies and Ministry of Economy companies, while free zone companies need to be determined according to the relevant regulations of the free zone where your company is located. The DMCC and IAFZA Free Zones that I have cited above are the most popular free zones for business registration. In addition, if you are registered as a branch or representative office, it does not involve the registered capital.

The registered address of an offshore company is under the name of a Registered Agent;
 Free zone companies and MOEA companies are required to provide compliant office rentals, with a minimum maintenance cost of one desk.

For offshore companies, the incorporator does not need to travel to the UAE to sign the form, and the entire registration process can be completed online, which is very efficient; for free zone companies, the entire registration process can be done remotely, and shareholders, directors and managers do not need to travel to the UAE in person; for MOF companies, individual shareholders need to be present in the UAE during the registration period, and for corporate shareholders, managers need to travel to the UAE in person, or If the company is a shareholder, the manager needs to go to the UAE in person or authorize someone else to go to the UAE through a Power of Attorney (POA) to handle the registration, but the bank account opening stage can only be handled by the manager in person in the UAE, the bank does not accept the authorized person to do it for him.

Offshore companies cannot apply for work visas;
 Some free zones, such as DIC, DMC, etc., still require a visa deposit, which will be refunded only after the visa is cancelled. If you need to open a bank account, it is recommended that at least one of your employees apply for a UAE work visa.

If you are registering an offshore company, this type of company account is a high-risk account in the banking system and is extremely difficult to open;
 Opening an account in a free zone requires a judgment based on the specific situation of the free zone where the company is located;
 The success of the Ministry of Economic Affairs company account opening is mainly based on the background of the shareholders

A third-party no-objection letter is required, and a third-party application service fee can be added to the basis of registration.

For agricultural and by-products, there is no need to apply for a separate license in Dubai. For domestic import/export license, you need to apply for it yourself.
 For Chinese herbs, you need to apply for a health permit in Dubai.

The client can only register with jebel ali for new energy vehicles. The fee is 24,000 USD and includes registration + address + 2 visas, visa applications are available for an additional fee. Application for several visas depends on the needs of the customer, all can apply. One person $36,000. Dubai account can only be opened in the field, the bank will examine the background of the customer.

DMCC: The subsequent maintenance fee is the audit + business license renewal + company card + rental address + service fee, costing $28,000. IFZA: Subsequent maintenance fee is the same as the first year registration fee.

Domestic companies need to be notarized and certified by the UAE Consulate in China. The notarized documents required are the company’s business license, articles of incorporation, and the latest year’s annual report. There is currently no corporate income tax in the UAE, but customs duty (depending on the type of product) is required for import and export of products and 5% VAT for local operations in the UAE. The opening bank will be determined by the client’s qualifications and background, and includes banks such as first abu dhabi bank/emirates nbd/adcb/rak bank. The specific city and fees are also based on the client’s qualifications. If the customer needs to apply later, we will do KYC first and make a plan according to the actual situation.

Company holding company in Daraa, registration service fee 11000 USD, official fee around 11000 USD (subject to the actual fee), if it involves third party approval additional 5000 USD application fee. Work visa to Dubai for the client, 36,000 RMB for one person. Bank account opening RMB 50,000, including bank introduction, data preparation, and taking the client to the bank. (Whether the account is opened, the background of the shareholder’s capital flow needs to be assessed). We can assist in renting a physical storefront in Daraa, depending on the customer’s budget, size, and property requirements. We can also wait for customers to go to the local recommendation of the Daraa.

There is no corporate income tax or personal income tax in Dubai Free Zone, and there is a 5% car tariff. We can register for a fee as per the intranet. There are no conditions.

For local banks in Dubai, you will need to travel to Dubai for an interview. The bank will check the shareholder’s qualifications, mainly water and deposits. We usually do not only open bank accounts.

DMCC’s annual audit mainly includes 60,000 for address renewal, 60,000 for business license renewal, and 5,600 for company card renewal. 12,000 for an audit report is required before the annual audit is done. 12,000 for a service fee is added on top of this.

Dubai South City Free Trade Zone:

Also known as Dubai World Central or Dubai Aviation City, it is the newest and largest integrated free zone in Dubai, and one of the seven “Value Added Tax Free Zones” in Dubai approved by the UAE Cabinet. It is also one of the seven “Value-Added Tax (VAT) bonded zones” approved by the UAE Cabinet.

Located in the south of Dubai, close to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, it has the world’s largest air port (the UAE’s main air port for cargo) and is close to the largest seaport in the Middle East, the Jebel Ali seaport, making it the most convenient for logistics.

Six types of licenses can be issued: general trade, general trade, service, education, logistics, and aviation. Light processing is allowed, but heavy processing plants cannot be established.

It is suitable for all types of enterprises, especially those in the trade, aviation, logistics and education sectors.

DMCC Free Trade Zone:

Visibility: focus on China market, various promotion meetings to enhance visibility

Location：near Sailing Hotel, Jumeirah Palm Island

Environment: Mature community, convenient office life, beautiful environment, convenient office and residential rental and purchase

Service: Perfect customer service system, Chinese speaking staff

License: Service and trade license issued, no production license

Management: No fences, free access for community members

DMCC has been rated as the “World’s No. 1 Free Zone” by international authorities several times. Haisin, Hikvision, Sinopec, China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation and other well-known companies are located there.

Trade in precious metals, diamonds, coffee, tea, spices and other commodities is one of the characteristics of the FTZ, and is also a good choice for the establishment of service-oriented enterprises.

IFZA Free Trade Zone:

Emerging Zone: Established in 2017, offering a range of flexible solutions

Location: Located in Dubai Digital Park, with low rent in the area

Service: perfect customer service system, Chinese personnel license: issued service, trade license, no production license service, trade license can be under one license

Management: No fences, free access for community members

Price: Overall registration, maintenance and rental costs are not high

IFZA, as a new free zone, is the strongest competitive advantage in terms of perfect service and beautiful prices, making it a better choice for real business to set up a Dubai company, as well as for the e-commerce industry.

Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Appointment of Directors, Registered Directors, Registered Shareholders, Registered Secretary, Company Seal