Identify the specific business activity—or multiple activities—that align with your goals. Select the jurisdiction that best suits your chosen activities, offering cost-effective solutions tailored to your budget.

The most common and trusted route for setting up a Mainland business in the U.A.E. is through a Limited Liability Company (LLC). However, you may choose depending on your business needs. This maybe

• Sole proprietorship
• Civil Company
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Private limited company (PLC)
• Public joint stock company (PJSC)
• Branches, regional headquarters and representative offices of foreign companies
• Single family offices

When setting up a business in the U.A.E, your trade name must accurately reflect your chosen business activity and receive approval from the relevant authorities before it can be officially used. The trade name must not be in use by another entity or previously registered, and it must adhere to public morals and the public order of the U.A.E.

To check the availability of your preferred trade name, you can visit the Department of Economic Development (DED) website in each emirate, except Fujairah, where it is available via the Fujairah Municipality’s Rukhsati app. Licenced trade names can also be accessed through the U.A.E. Ministry of Economy’s Unified Commercial Registration System and the National Economic Register.

Alternatively, you can propose trade names that suit your business. Once approved, your trade name will be followed by an acronym denoting your legal structure, such as LLC, PLC, or PJSC.

You need to obtain your Initial Approval. This early approval is a crucial prerequisite for almost every subsequent step in setting up your business on the U.A.E. Mainland.

Following the Initial Approval, depending on your chosen business activity, additional government approvals may be required, along with translations, attestations, and notarizations. Our specialists will carefully coordinate and time these steps to ensure a smooth process, ultimately leading to the final establishment of your Mainland business in UAE.

You may have a preference about where your new office needs to be located, but if you are unsure or are new to the UAE, our real estate consultants will offer their assistance with finding, confirming, and leasing or buying work premises.

There are multiple choices for new business set up in the UAE’s mainland, each catering to specific needs and budgets:

• Virtual office
• Leased office
• Fully owned office
• Office building
• Workshop
• Warehouse

You may manage the visa procurement process yourself. It may also require verification, translation, and attestation of all necessary documents, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for you.

Opening a corporate bank account is a crucial step as businesses are legally required to keep personal and professional funds separate. The UAE offers a wide range of banking options, including prestigious international banks, well-established local banks, and digital-only banks, each with its own set of advantages for entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, and large foreign corporations.