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Schedule forSchedule forThings you should know about obtaining a dual license in the UAE
- Prerequisites
- Benefits
- Documents
- Steps to Acquiring a Dual License in UAE Free Zones
- The business must be set up in a free zone that is part of the program and offers a dual license.
- To give out dual licenses, the free zone authority needs to have an ongoing agreement, also known as a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Department of Economic Development on the mainland.
- Hold a current free zone trade license from the organization that is in good standing and does not owe any fines or violations.
- Get a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from the free zone body that says you can operate on the mainland with a dual license.
- Ensure that your mainland plans are similar to your free zone plans.
- Please make sure to pay the required fees to the Department of Economy and Tourism (or the relevant mainland body) to obtain the dual license.
- Get any other approvals that are special to your industry, like those from the Dubai Health Authority for medical services, the KHDA for education, and the Ministry of Economy for professional consulting.
- Follow the rules and regulations set by both the free zone government and the mainland DED when it comes to governance.
- Market expansion: Serve customers on the mainland directly without setting up a separate business.
- Cost Savings: You can save money by not having to rent extra office space on the island and pay for separate registrations. This will cut down on administrative and legal costs.
- Time Efficiency: Getting approval from onshore is faster than starting a new company on the island, which speeds up the time it takes to go to market.
- Operational Simplicity: Use the same legal identity and paper trail for both free zone and mainland activities. This makes renewals and reporting easier.
- Regulatory Assurance: The free zone authority and the Department of Economic Development on the mainland will ensure effective governance, eliminating the need for a local sponsor.
- Full Foreign Ownership: Grow your business from a free zone to the mainland with 100% foreign ownership, without having to hire a local shareholder or service agent.
- Retention of Free Zone Perks: While doing business onshore, you can still enjoy free zone benefits like no company tax, no customs duties, and lower personal income taxes.
- The mainland Department of Economy and Tourism mandates the application for a dual license.
- The original and a copy of your legal Free Zone trade license are required.
- The Free Zone Authority's No Objection Certificate (NOC), which certifies your company's mainland eligibility, is also required.
- The Free Zone firm's Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Agreement of Arrangement (AOA), if required, should be authenticated and translated.
- A board or shareholder resolution can accept the company's dual-license applications.
- The Free Zone buildings require an office lease or tenancy agreement.
- Copy of each shareholder, director, and authorized signatory's passport and UAE residency visa.
- Provide copies of the stakeholders' Emirates IDs, if they have been issued.
- Provide sample signature cards for all permitted signatories.
- Choose Your Free Zone: Find a free zone with a mainland regulator dual-license agreement. Dubai Airport Free Zone, DIFC, ADGM, and Masdar City Free Zone are popular.
- Define Your Legal Structure and Trade Name: Choose a Free-Zone LLC, mainland company branch, or existing free-zone corporate branch. Register a free-zone and mainland-compliant trade name.
- Gather Core Documents: Ensure that all of the documents mentioned above are assembled accordingly.
- Submit to Your Free-Zone Authority: You can apply for a dual license through the service desk or free-zone site. Please send the NOC and letters confirming your good standing and ability to do the action.
- Apply with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): Submit your mainland license application with the free-zone NOC and essential documents. When necessary, provide sector-specific approvals (e.g., Dubai Health Authority for healthcare, KHDA for education). Provide a business strategy or technical feasibility report for any industrial or specialized activity. The DET dual-license issuing fee is required.
- Obtain Approval and License Issuance: Your response is reviewed by the free-zone and mainland regulators. Accept your dual trade license for free-zone and mainland businesses. Ensure mainland lease or office requirements are met.
- Operationalize Your Dual License: Set up a business bank account and handle staff visas for dual-licensed workers. Make sure you follow the rules for renewal, audits, and reports in both places
Schedule forSchedule forKhawajaasif Shehzad
Very cooperative and professional staff.. I'm very thankful to Mam Reshma for assisting me and guiding me through every single process.
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From the moment I engaged with Kiltons, I have been consistently impressed with their commitment to customer satisfaction. The staff members have been not only knowledgeable and professional but also incredibly attentive to my needs. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that my experience with their services has been seamless and enjoyable.
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Their services are of the highest quality, and I want to specifically acknowledge the excellent support from Pravya and Vincy. Thank you for your great service.
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I engaged with Kiltons, I have been consistently impressed with their commitment to customer satisfaction. The staff members have been not only knowledgeable and professional but also incredibly attentive to my needs. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that my experience with their services has been seamless and enjoyable.... true business consultant.
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