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If you’re here, it’s probably because you’re positively considering the UAE as your launchpad to the wider MENA region.
In this article, we’ll tell you how you can join the thriving Emirati economy that’s been on an upswing for years. Read insights from our in-house expert Himanshu D.P., business setup advisor at A&A Associate, Dubai, on what you need to prepare and all the help you can get from experienced business consultants in the UAE.
Why Do Business in UAE & Expand Business in UAE
With a skyline marked by skyscrapers, the UAE is just as lucrative as it seems. Its business landscape follows a free-market economy model, with people engaged in various trade activities across the seven emirates.
“The UAE is an amazing country to open up in, and Dubai is one of the easiest places to set up a business in – people are pouring in because of tax savings. There’s no income tax, and corporations aren’t required to pay tax until they hit a net profit threshold of AED 375,000,” D.P. said.
The country is an attractive hub for businesses of all sizes. Here’s why:
- Flexibility: Over 40 free zones across the country offer instant business setup in the UAE, and foreign companies can enjoy 100 percent ownership of business.
- Diverse activities: High GDP fueled by flourishing sectors like real estate, finance, healthcare, and technology. The UAE’s GDP is projected to grow by 6.2 percent in 2025, up from the current forecast of 3.9 percent in 2024.
- Strategic location: About 50 percent of the global population lives within an eight-hour radius flight of the UAE. It also houses the busiest international airport in the world, Dubai International Airport (DXB).
- Golden visa: Long-term residencies of five to 10 years granted to investors, high-achieving, students, skilled individuals, and more.
- Tax benefits: The UAE levies a corporate tax of 9 percent, compared to the global average of 23.37 percent in other countries. Not only do businesses pay lower taxes on profit, individuals are also exempt from personal income tax.
5 key considerations for foreign investors
Establishing your brand in a foreign market usually means you’ve identified emerging demand there and see potential for financial growth. Once your market research gives you the green light, get in touch with an experienced business consultancy based in the UAE.
“If interested entrepreneurs are in Dubai on a tourist visa, they can get their business license, Emirates ID, and a two-year investor visa within 30 days or less of their stay. We’ll have their business up and running as soon as possible,” said D.P.
1. Research which emirate to set up in
A business consultant, such as one at A&A Associate, will guide you every step of the way, from choosing the business activities in your trade license to the jurisdiction you want to operate in. Most entrepreneurs pick free zones in Dubai as their base for their many competitive advantages.
2. Pick your activities
According to D.P., the location of your company also depends on your business activity, whether commercial, consulting, or investment. Some free zones, which are trading zones in the UAE that offer full foreign ownership and tax benefits, offer certain special activities while others don’t.
On the other hand, a business registered in the mainland will have to prepare for higher costs as regulations differ from free zones. For instance, office space is mandatory on mainland, but you’ll also have permission to trade across the UAE with a mainland license.
3. Get licensed
Apply for your business license with the relevant jurisdiction authority, whether free zone or mainland. There are over 40 free zone authorities in the UAE, and A&A Associate is a platinum channel partner of major free zone bodies, like Meydan in Dubai, RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah, and Shams in Sharjah. This means that our consultants can swiftly take care of the application on your behalf.
4. Register your company
As soon as the license is in hands, register your company in Dubai with A&A Associate. Speak with your consultant and learn about the taxes you’ll be filing per regulations. Briefly, VAT or value added tax of 5 percent is borne by the final consumer and collected by eligible companies on behalf of the FTA. Additionally, corporate tax is levied on a company’s net profit. Find out if you fall within the qualified range of businesses to avoid penalties and to streamline bookkeeping.
How A&A Associate can help
In the UAE, few advisory firms offer services as comprehensive as those at A&A Associate in Dubai. While they help you set up a company in UAE, they also maintain your annual books using in-house accounting experts, who deal with VAT and corporate tax registration and auditing services.
So, are you ready to expand business in UAE? Call our experts today for a free consultation on +971 50 483 6190 or register your interest on our website for a callback from one of our consultants. Alternatively, you can always chat with our representatives online.
