Dubai is home to investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world to start new and profitable businesses. Every year, more and more foreign investors and business people come to the emirate to benefit from numerous opportunities and an excellent environment to set up and operate business activities. Exemption from tax rates, a strategic location, and a straightforward company incorporation process, Dubai allows foreign investors to benefit from the highest returns and profits.

Starting a new business in Dubai doesn’t have to be difficult, but things could become a little complicated without the right assistance and support at the right time. It does require some local and specialized knowledge in company formation to avoid any delay or legal trouble during the registration process. The following advice will benefit you when you start a business in Dubai.

If you want to be the sole owner of your business, choose a free zone to set up your business.

Remember that opening a business in one of the Free Zones is the only way to 100% ownership of your business as a foreign investor in the UAE without having a UAE citizen act as your partner. However, for businesses like restaurants and retail stores that must operate in urban markets, this is not practical. Free Zones provide three major benefits for a new business:

• 100% ownership
• Speedy startup
• Duty-Free customs

To start a local business in Dubai, choose a local sponsor who is a citizen of the UAE.

There are numerous business opportunities in Dubai and the other Emirates of the UAE for investors from all over the world. However, you need a register a locally registered LLC business if you are serious about starting a business that must tap into Dubai’s local market and diverse population. Additionally, companies that do business with the government must register with a local sponsor for company formation.

A UAE national must be included as a partner with 51% shareholding, known as a local sponsor.’ A local company gives you the freedom to locate your business anywhere in the city. This is a boon for a business startup in Dubai because it allows you to choose the best location for your budget.

Choose a location that balances suitability, cost, and convenience to run your business.

Another critical step in starting a business in Dubai is determining the best location for the company formation. Setting up a profit-making business in the city won’t help you much if your business is not easily accessible to your customers or clients. The selection of the right location for your business setup depends on the kind of business activities you want to operate. For example, if you’re thinking about starting a free zone business, you must choose a location based on factors like cost, distance, and suitability for your product, business model, and logistic needs.

Confirm your eligibility for a visa and its requirements.

A visa permitting you and your employees to live and work in the UAE is necessary to operate your business when it is first registered there. Visas are required and permitted for almost all businesses registering in Dubai and other emirates in the UAE. However, their numbers can vary depending on a range of factors, including the size and the type of business, the employee’s classification, and the investor.

Hire a business consultant to guide you through the business registration process.

It might be best to hire a business consulting firm to register your new company. Their experience and knowledge in dealing with local government bureaucracy and Free Zone Authorities may be of great assistance in planning and incorporating a new business. At Socialite Consultancy Services, we have a team of experts who can help you plan your business registration from the scratch.

We assist you with the procedures you must follow in order to successfully establish your business, including determining potential costs, providing licensing and location options, developing solutions for potential business roadblocks, and so on. These are some key points you must remember when planning to start a business in Dubai. Contact us to talk to our experts for more details.