Steps to Register a Company in Dubai 2025
The evolving landscape of business in Dubai is one that I have witnessed over the years. The city continues to be one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Dubai has many strategic advantages that make it one of the standout cities in the country.
It goes without saying that Dubai’s favorable tax regime is what draws businesses in. The city offers zero personal income tax, no corporate tax, and 100% foreign ownership in most sectors. The tax rate of corporate tax remains at 9%, which positions Dubai as one of the most business-friendly cities globally.
One of the things that I find interesting about the city is that the government is continuously streamlining procedures for starting and running a business. Free zones offer 100% repatriation of profits and simplify customs regulations.
Another thing that sets Dubai at the forefront of trading activities is its smart city initiatives, advanced infrastructure, and focus on technology-driven sectors like AI, fintech, and renewable energy. The city’s state-of-the-art infrastructure makes it an ideal environment to begin business ventures.
Now that we’ve covered why Dubai is ideal to begin your company, let’s look into how to register your company according to the new regulatory requirements of 2025.
Why You Should Register a Company in Dubai
Registering a company with Dubai’s governance will ensure that the business complies with all of the required legal frameworks. Entrepreneurs can function without legal disruptions. The business gets access to government incentives and resources.
A registered company allows business owners to legally enter contracts, open a corporate bank account, and conduct commercial activities. Registered companies benefit from tax exemptions, especially in free zones where they can avail of zero customs duties, no import/export taxes, and no VAT charges on certain business activities.
It also plays an essential role when it comes to companies hiring skilled workers from abroad or for entrepreneurs seeking long-term residency in the country.
How to Register a Company in Dubai in 2025
There are a set of steps you are required to follow to register a company in Dubai:
Step 1: Choose your business activity.
Determine the business activity you would like to engage in. The Department of Economic Tourism (DET) lists about 2000 activities. These activities are listed under sectors such as trading, manufacturing, and service-based businesses.
Step 2: Choose the legal structure
Determine the legal structure of your company. Choose the available regulatory structures, such as limited liability company (LLC), free zone company, branch office, or representative office.
Step 3: Choose your license type.
When registering a business, the entrepreneur or investor must determine the type of license suited for the business activities. It could be trade, industrial, or professional.
Step 4: Select a business name
Choose a business name as per the regulatory requirements of the UAE. There are strict naming conventions in place. You shouldn’t include any offensive or blasphemous language in your trade name. If you wish to use your name in the trade name, use it in full form rather than the initials. You must submit up to three names for approval.
Step 5: Rent or lease an office space.
Select an ideal office space that suits your business requirements. You can choose from multiple options: a shared desk, virtual office, flexi-desk office, shared office, or standard office. The government gives some companies the provision of instant business licenses. This allows investors to take up office space from the second year of their company.
Step 6: Gather the required documents.
Below are some of the documents required to register your company:
- Passport copies and visa copies of all shareholders and directors.
- A copy of the trade name reservation certificate
- A copy of the initial approval from the Department of Economic Development (DED)
- Notarized copy of the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- A copy of the leasing contract/tenancy contract for the company’s office space.
- Board resolution authorizing the shareholders to establish the company and appoint directors
- Power of Attorney for the company’s legal representative
Statement of Good Standing (if the shareholder is an existing company)
Step 7: Apply for the required visas.
Once you have secured your business license, you can apply for any visas the company or yourself may require. This includes your visa and employee visas, as well as dependent visas that you may be required to sponsor.
Step 8: Open a corporate bank account
The next step after you’ve successfully registered your company is to open a corporate account. Many local and international banking institutions in Dubai will assist you with your financial requirements.
Following the above steps will help you kickstart your business ventures in Dubai. It may seem like a daunting task to fulfill all of these regulatory requirements. This is where business setup consultants come in handy. Getting started with Kiltons Business Services will help you navigate through governmental regulations and procedures without any hiccups. The dedicated team will guide you step-by-step through the company registration process.
Choose Kiltons for Company Registration Services
Kiltons Business Setup Services has had a reliable alliance with entrepreneurs and investors who plan to set up their companies in Dubai. With over 25 years of experience within the UAE, Kiltons offers end-to-end solutions tailored to your business needs, ensuring a seamless and structured registration. With in-depth knowledge of Dubai's changing business landscape, the team advises entrepreneurs to tailor their decisions according to what suits them best.
The company offers end-to-end management of the new business setup, from initiation approvals to the final trade license. This includes preparing and submitting all paperwork required, specifically the Memorandum of Association (MOA), shareholder agreements, and many other legal aspects. Kiltons offers a helping hand in applying for investor, partner, and employee visas for businesses. They handle the visa process end-to-end, from document preparation to collaborating with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
With decades of experience, Kiltons understands the local market dynamics and legal norms to start a businesses in Dubai. From consultation to post-facilities, Kiltons guides clients in everything related to company registration and makes the process easy for individuals. The company designs its packages based on the unique requirements of each client, whether a startup, SME, or large multinational. As an expert in Dubai's business environment, Kiltons can guide you through the registration process for fast operations with zero delays.
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