Dubai Company Register | How To Get A Business License In Dubai
Dubai Company Registration. We discuss on this page the categories and procedures required to obtain a business license and registration in Dubai.
Any category of business must be licensed to "trade" in Dubai.
Please take 2 minutes to watch the Dubai company registration video below. It explains in detail how you can benefit. If you prefer to read, you can also skip the video and read the text directly below.
The requirements for trade licenses and the permits required by agencies and government ministries can vary depending on the type of business.
This means that certain types of businesses, such as financial services, medical services, printing and publishing, food trading, etc., require more permits than general trading businesses.
There are basically 3 types of licenses issued to register a company in Dubai
The following categories of licenses will be issued depending on the nature of the activities that the business entity plans to carry out
1. Commercial license - issued to companies that will engage in any type of trading activity.
2. Industrial License - issued to companies that will be engaged in manufacturing or any industrial activity.
3. Professional licenses - issued to service providers, professionals, craftsmen, and artisans.
The Dubai Economic Development Department is the government agency responsible for issuing licenses to local companies in Dubai. The department operates from several locations to provide licensing services.
However, this mainland company formation in Dubai is the place where businessmen must go to get a full range of all services.
Dubai Company Registration: Requirements for Business Registration
The approval process for business registration in Dubai
The issue of licenses for banks and other financial institutions must be approved by the UAE Central Bank
The issuance of licenses for manufacturing companies must be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Industry.
The issue of licenses for insurance companies and other relevant companies must be approved by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce
The granting of licenses for medical and pharmaceutical products requires the approval of the Ministry of Health
Companies engaged in gas or oil production may require additional confirmations and approvals from other government agencies
In addition, the trade declaration must have the participation of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Company Participation Requirements
Any company registered in Dubai or elsewhere in the United Arab Emirates [UAE] must have at least fifty-one percent (51%) participation by UAE nationals.
An exception to this requirement is one of the following six conditions
1. The company is located in one of Dubai's free zones.
2. When 100% local participation is required by law.
3. When a company that is 100% owned by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) enters into a partnership with another company that is 100% owned by UAE nationals.
4. When 100% shareholding by GCC nationals or entities is allowed in certain activities.
5. In craft or professional enterprises where foreign nationals are allowed to have full ownership.
6. In the case of a foreign company registering a representative office or branch in the UAE.
7. When applying for professional licenses for professions such as architects, doctors, artists, etc. The percentage of foreign ownership can be 100%. However, local nationals must be adopted as "service agents".
