When considering how to start a business in Dubai, if you have made it this far, you are now past the most crucial decisions. At this stage, you will want to deal with the appropriate paperwork. 

You will be required to complete an application for your chosen company name and activity, to be provided along with copies of shareholders’ passports to the relevant government authorities. Some free zones will require additional documentation, such as a business plan or Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) – a letter from a current sponsor confirming that you are allowed to set up another business in the UAE. 

When you come to register your company in the UAE, you have to complete an application to register your chosen company name and activity, along with copies of shareholders’ passports.

Mainland companies will be required to meet certain capital requirements, which must be stated in a Memorandum of Association. 

You need to contact the Department of Economic Development of your chosen emirate to register your business activity and trade name and then submit the required documentation. You can find links to the respective offices on the UAE government website, under Information and Services.

Once your application has been processed, you will be issued with your company licence. 

Navigating the paperwork at this stage is perhaps the most arduous task you will have to tackle. While it might take you weeks to months to adequately understand and complete this stage of the process, assistance from AEGIS at this stage of the process is often invaluable. For anyone who is averse to monotonous, difficult paperwork with lots of fine details, we strongly recommend that you utilise our expertise. The money and time saved during this phase alone more than pays for itself.