We are here to guide your business through the complex process of setting up a new business entity within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We provide all types of legal assistance as per your needs such as drafting agreements, providing advice on day today issues related with running your business etc., so that there is no need for any other law firm once we have established your business entity successfully.

We offer the following services related to business formations:

* Free Zone Company Setups
* LLC Company Setups
* Documentation
* Registrations
* Company registration
* LLC formation
* Free zone establishment
* Business visa for expatriate employees
* Labor card application
* Commercial License renewal/application.
* Trade license application.
* Franchise agreement preparation.
* Partnership deed preparation.
* Power of attorney (POA) registration.
* Notarization services etc.
* Tax Advice
* Offshore Company Formation,
* Branch Office Formation,
* Mergers & Acquisitions
* PRO Service

The first step towards establishing a successful enterprise is choosing the right jurisdiction where it should be registered under local laws and regulations which govern its activities.

In this regard, Dubai has emerged as one such place where companies are being set up at an exponential rate because it offers an attractive and well-regulated business environment.

The issuance of trade licenses in Dubai has been largely automated thanks to the DED's cutting edge computer systems. Businesses can apply for a trade license online through three main portals: (i) e-services; (ii) c-store; and (iii) DMCC Dubai Online.

The DED's e-services portal is the most popular of the three, and in 2013 alone it received over 120,000 applications.

Since its establishment in 2003, Dubai has attracted over 30 billion dirhams worth of foreign direct investments. It has been ranked as one of the top five cities with a conducive business environment for international trade by the World Bank.

The DED has set up a number of customs free zones which are specifically designed to encourage trade and business, including the Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), Dubai Technology & Media Free Zone (TECOM) and Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). These free zones are leased to companies who can then operate within the zones without having to go through the normal process of obtaining a trade license.

The DED is also responsible for issuing commercial licenses in the Emirate of Dubai. A commercial license is required for companies who wish to engage in commercial activities such as trading, contracting, consulting and professional services. The commercial license is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue.

In addition to these, a business can also apply for a license from the relevant free zone authority which has been set up in Dubai for this purpose. The JAFZA is responsible for licensing companies who wish to engage in trading activities within the Emirate of Dubai, while companies operating within other areas are required to obtain a license from the relevant free zone authority.



The common factor to all of these licenses is that they are relatively easy to obtain, and companies can obtain them within a few days or weeks after submitting their applications.

There are several reasons why franchising in Dubai has increased in popularity over the years. The first is due to its geographical location, as the UAE is a major regional hub for business and trade. The second reason is the stability of the economy, which has been largely unaffected by the global financial crisis. The third reason is the well-developed infrastructure, which includes a number of free zones that offer a wide range of facilities and services to businesses.

The fourth reason is the cultural diversity in Dubai, which has led to the formation of a diverse range of new business opportunities. While shopping malls are mainly targeted towards the local population, some have started attracting an increasing number of foreign visitors.

Are you ready to start a business in UAE?

We know that starting a new business is exciting, but also overwhelming. There are so many things to consider and do before you can open your doors for the first time! That’s why we’re here – we want to make sure you have everything covered from legalities and regulations, right through to marketing and promotion. We’ll help ensure your business gets off on the right foot with our expert advice and support.

Our team of highly experienced consultants will guide you every step of the way as you set up shop in Dubai – from choosing an appropriate location, setting up contracts with suppliers or employees, registering your company name, getting licenses and permits…we can take care of it all for you! You won’t need to worry about anything except running your business successfully once we get started working together. And if there are any issues along the way (which there shouldn't be), our lawyers will be able to provide sound legal advice at no extra cost! It doesn't get much better than that...so what are waiting for? Let's get started today!

Federal law on commercial companies
The new law allow foreign nationals to establish businesses with full ownership, as long as they comply with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, which amends the provisions of Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies.

The legal reform removes the need for commercial enterprises to have a major Emirati shareholder or representative, allowing non-Emiratis from all countries to own 100% of onshore companies established by them.

Firms wanting to go public via IPOs can now sell up to 70% of their company, rather than the previous 30%, provided they have received the necessary licenses.

The decree empowers the UAE Cabinet to establish a committee that will include representatives of various authorities with a view to suggesting activities of significant impact and the measures required to license firms that operate in such sectors. The Cabinet will determine the activities that shall be considered of major importance and the necessary standards for licensing firms based on the recommendations of the committee.

Foreign ownership activities in Abu Dhabi
1,105 commercial and industrial activities are identified by the Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi, for which non-citizens, whether natural or legal persons, have the right to own economic licences, establish commercial firms with 100 percent or less ownership, and carry out these activities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The announcement of full foreign ownership confirms the Abu Dhabi Government's desire to encourage greater overseas direct investment by providing an accessible and flexible business environment, as well as encouraging the private sector and elevating Abu Dhabi's profile on the international investment map.


Foreign ownership activities in Dubai
In accordance with the Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, which amends provisions of Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Commercial Companies, foreign investors are permitted to acquire 100% ownership of businesses in accordance with that law.

More than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities are eligible for 100 percent foreign ownership according to the requirements established by DED, with the exception of economic activities with a significant impact in strategic sectors.

1) Choosing the right business activity: This is an important step, and should be done in consultation with a trade license consultant. The choice of business activity should lie within the list of activities allowed under DED rules, and it is important to ensure that the chosen activity does not require any special licensing (such as liquor, tobacco products etc.). Also, there are certain activities which can only be carried out by local UAE companies, and foreign companies cannot carry out these activities.

2) Registering the company with DED: Once the business activity has been chosen, the next step is to register the company with DED. The company should have at least one local Emirati partner who will own 51% of the company. The remaining 49% can be owned by foreign investors.

3) Applying for the trade license: After the company has been registered, the next step is to apply for the trade license. The application should be made through an authorized trade license consultant, and it is important to attach all the required documents with the application.

4) Receiving the trade license: Once the application is submitted, the trade license will be issued within a few days. The duration of the trade license depends on the type of the business activity.

In Dubai, all commercial transactions are governed by written contracts. Even small businesses must have a valid commercial contract with their business partners in order to protect themselves from liabilities and legal risks that may arise in the course of their business. The most common types of commercial contracts used in practice are: (i) Franchise agreement; (ii) Distribution agreement; and (iii) Joint venture agreement.

Salient features of franchising include that franchisors need not be responsible for manufacturing goods and supplying goods to the franchisee, whereas franchised have to acquire goods from the franchisor.

The UAE was ranked first globally for its protection against the unilateral conduct of the other party or a non-performance risk by a YouGov survey of 1,000 respondents in seven countries. The UAE has been found to be more stable than four key European markets including France and Switzerland.

Franchising can be an attractive option for companies looking to expand their business into new markets. The UAE has a number of advantages as a franchising destination, including its geographical location, cultural diversity, stable economy and well-developed infrastructure.

In order to franchise in the UAE, the franchisor must have a trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). The trade license will usually be valid for a period of three years from the date of issue.



Even though franchising as a business model has been around for decades, it has only started gaining momentum in the UAE recently. In 2012, Dunkin Donuts announced its plans to open over 100 outlets in the UAE before 2020, while Burger King plans to open over 250 outlets in the next five years.

The UAE is a major regional hub for trade and business, and offers a number of advantages to businesses looking to expand into new markets. The process of obtaining a trade license in Dubai is relatively simple, and the DED has a number of online resources which businesses can use to register their activities.

There are a number of ways to get a trade license in Dubai. The simplest way is to setup a company, and the Department of Economic Development (DED) will issue the trade license to the company. The other option is to setup a Free zone company in one of the free zones in Dubai, and then the free zone authority will issue the trade license to the free zone company. The third option is to setup a branch office of an existing foreign company in Dubai, and the DED will issue the trade license to the branch office.

You can also setup an offshore company in UAE. Offshore company is a shelf company which is registered in a tax haven jurisdiction and it is not engaged in any commercial activity in that jurisdiction. The advantage of setting up an offshore company is that the shareholders and directors of the company can be based anywhere in the world, and the company will be exempt from all local taxes. Our business setup Lawyers and Consultants will guide you from the time of formation to registration and beyond it.

A business lawyer is a necessity for company formation in Dubai. Emirati law is heavily complex, and can be confusing and complicated for foreigners. A business lawyer can help ensure that your company is set up according to all the legal requirements, and can also provide invaluable advice and support if any legal issues should arise later on. If you establish your company incorrectly, the UAE's law can penalize its owners. This is why engaging a reputable, qualified law firm is an absolute priority.

A great lawyer can help save you money in the long run, as they will ensure your company is fully compliant with all the necessary legal requirements from the outset. A business lawyer is also able to assist with more complex tasks such as negotiating contracts or handling shareholder disputes.

Free zone company setup in Dubai
a Free zone company is a company setup in a designated area known as a free zone. These zones offer a number of benefits to businesses, including: 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate and personal income tax, relaxed labor laws
There are a number of different Free zones in Dubai, each with their own specific set of regulations and benefits. It's important to choose the right Free zone company for your business, and a qualified lawyer can help you with this.

Mainland Company Setup in Dubai
A Mainland company is registered via the DED (Dubai Economic Department) and is not setup in a free zone. The most frequent business structure in Dubai is a LLC, which is 51 percent owned by Emirati citizens.
The advantage of setting up a mainland company is that there are no specific free zone restrictions on the activities your company can undertake. This makes it a great option for businesses who are not sure which free zone they want to set up in, or who want to be able to operate freely across Dubai.


Offshore Company Setup in Dubai
shelf company is an offshore company registered in a tax-free jurisdiction. An offshore company is not registered or based in the UAE, and therefore does not have to comply with Emirati law.
Offshore companies are popular for a number of reasons, including:
100% foreign ownership, No corporate or personal income tax, Low set up