Companies in Dubai

We at H I Law Firm will help you to establish a company in Dubai and can also offer continuous support after the company has been formed. Here is presented some of the company types in our field of expertise.

Free Zone Companies

What is a Free Zone company?
In Dubai, it is possible to start a company in a so-called Free Zone. It means the company is stationed in an economic zone in an isolated area where certain regulations, specific for the particular Free Zone, applies for the companies. Therefore, taxation, customs and import regulations are not the same as for other companies in Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates. Establishing your company in a Free Zone involves freedom for your company and big opportunities for market expansion.

The Free Zones are usually concentrated around particular business industries, so to be able to form a Free Zone company, a license is required.

Company regulations
A company in any of the following Free Zones is obligated to follow only the regulations and framework constituted by the respective Free Zone Authority. Therefore, the United Arab Emirates’ laws for companies does not apply. All information about the company is confidential, which includes full disclosure of the names of the company officers.

Local sponsors
A requirement for a local sponsor means an individual, company or institution in Dubai must own a share of your company and undertake some administrative work. Having a local sponsor is not a requirement for Free Zone companies. Therefore, the ownership can be 100 % international in Free Zone Companies.

Licenses
In order for you to establish a Free Zone company, you must be granted a licence. Different licences are issued depending on your line of business. The licensing types vary among different Free Zones. We at H I Law Firm can guide you and your company in order for your company to be granted license and be established in the Free Zone best suited for your business.

Company types
There are multiple ways to form a Free Zone Company. You can register a new company in the form of a company type that is accepted in the Free Zone you want to set up your business (for example Free Zone Establishment, FZE, or Free Zone Company, FZC). There is also the possibility to establish a branch of your existing company, which will be treated as a representative office and must correspond with the type of business of the parenting company. At H I Law Firm you are offered the legal assistance that is needed to find out which company type is suitable for you.

Below, short information is presented about Free Zones in Dubai and the specific conditions for companies in the different Free Zones.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Company

• Accounting requirement: Accounting records are mandatory and the company must report all transactions 
• Taxation: The company is free from corporate taxes 
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 15 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: One visa per 8.3 sq ft of office space rented
• Number of directors required: Minimum of one person

Dubai Media City Company 

• Accounting requirement: Accounts and auditing must be reported
• Taxation: No corporate or personal taxes
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 12 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Minimum of one person

Licenses are primarily given to companies in the media business. There are different ways to be granted a license, depending on the type of company:
1. Dubai Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC): A FZ-LCC is a company owned by shareholders as individuals and/or entities. In order for a FZ-LLC to be granted license, it is required that the company have at least one director and a paid up capital of at least 50.000 AED. There are some exceptions from these conditions, which we are glad to inform you about if needed. 
2. Branch och an international company or an existing company in the United Arab Emirates: In order to establish a branch in this Free Zone, no share capital is needed.
3. Freelance: An individual can operate a company as a freelance professional. In this case, the company is operated by the individual in his/her own name.

Dubai Multi Commodities Center Company (DMCC)

• Accounting requirement: Accounts and auditing must be reported
• Taxation: No corporate or personal taxes
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 10 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Minimum of two persons

Licensing types:

1. Trade license
2. Industrial license
3. Services license

DMCC are given primarily within the following industries:

• Agriculture 
• Fishing 
• Mining & quarrying 
• Manufacturing 
• Electricity, gas and water supply 
• Construction 
• Trading and repairing 
• Hotels and restaurants 
• Transport, storage and communications 
• Financial intermediation 
• Real estate and business services 
• Education 
• Health and social work 
• Other community, social and personal services

Dubai International Financial Centre Company (DIFC)

• Accounting requirement: Accounts and auditing must be reported
• Taxation: The company is free from corporate taxes 
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 30 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Depends on the size of the office area

Dubai Internet City Company

• Accounting requirement: Accounting records are mandatory and the company must report all transactions 
• Taxation: The company is free from corporate taxes 
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 12 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Minimum of one person

Dubai Silicon Oasis Company

• Accounting requirement: Accounts and auditing must be reported
• Taxation: The company is free from corporate taxes 
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 12 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Minimum of one person

Licensing types:

• Service license
• Trade license – Import and export of specifically mentioned products
• Industrial license – Import of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembly and packaging of specified and approved products 
• Business operation permit – A special license for companies operating in the Administrative Zone of DSOA who have already been issued a license from the Dubai Economic Department (DED)
• Entrepreneurial business license – License can only be granted for members of the DSO incubator program and it is a subsidized license issued in return for a small share of the business. The intention is for it to be a support for young and upcoming entrepreneurs.

Company types:

• Branch of your current company
• Free Zone Establishment (FZE) – A FZE is a legal entity registered by a single shareholder. 
• Free Zone Company (FZCO) – A FZCO is a legal entity registered by at least two shareholders.

Dubai World Central Company

• Accounting requirement: Accounting records are mandatory and the company must report all transactions 
• Taxation: No corporate or personal taxes
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 12 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: Minimum of one person

Licensing types:

• Logistics license
• Trade license
• Industrial license
• Service license

Jebel Ali Free Zone Company

Companies in the Jebel Ali Free Zone have the opportunity to trade internationally and be estate owners in Dubai. A company leasing an office space in the Jebel Ali Free Zone is also able to hold a bank account in Dubai and it is possibile to repatriate 100 % of the company’s assets to its home country, without limitations of foreign currency or other capital movements.

• Accounting requirement: Accounts and auditing must be reported
• Taxation: The company is free from corporate taxes 
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 15 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Visa: Residence visa issued 
• Number of directors required: depends on the license issued

Licensing types:

• Trade license
• Industrial license
• Service license

Limited liability companies

Dubai Commercial License Company

• Accounting requirement: No
• Taxation: No
• Currency: UAE Dirhams pegged to USD
• Time to establish the company: 5 working days
• Effective means of communication
• Local sponsor requirement? Yes, the local sponsor must own a share of a minimum of 51 %. However, the distribution of profits and means does not have to stand in proportion to the shareholding. Instead, the sponsor can be paid a regular payment every year 
• Visa: Residence visa issued