Choosing the economic zone:
→ Mainland. Operating on the mainland allows you to conduct business with any organizations within the UAE and abroad. However, initial investments may be higher, and mainland companies are more strictly regulated by local authorities.
→ Free Zones. They offer 100% foreign ownership, simplified registration and licensing procedures, as well as various tax incentives. However, business activities in Free Zones are often limited to the zone’s territory and specific types of activities. It is important to carefully review the conditions of different Free Zones to select the most suitable one for your business, as each has its own specialization.

Preparation of documents:
→ Incorporation documents of the foreign company: Memorandum and Articles of Association, certificate of incorporation, and other documents confirming the company’s existence.
→ Resolution to establish a branch: minutes of the founders’ meeting of the operating organization approving the decision to open a branch in the UAE.
→ Power of attorney for the person authorized to represent the company’s interests during the branch registration process.
→ Passport copies and visas (if applicable) of the director and other employees.
→ Other documents. Depending on the type of activity and selected economic zone, additional documents and external approvals may be required.

All documents issued outside the country must be legalized in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a consular legalization procedure. It includes certification of documents by the Ministry of Justice, the consulate of the country where the document was issued, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lease agreement execution.
This is an important stage for obtaining the company’s legal address. You may choose either a physical or a virtual office, depending on the requirements of your business type. You may also require retail or warehouse premises, so it is important to clarify in advance the possibility of leasing them within the selected economic zone.

Issuance of a license.
After preparing and legalizing the documents, you must submit an application for a license to the Department of Economic Development or the administration of the selected Free Zone. The license will specify your company’s legal address, trade name, and permitted business activities. Licensing procedures may differ between Free Zones and the mainland. Therefore, legal consultations at the registration stage can be highly beneficial.

Registration with government authorities.
After obtaining the license, the company must register with the tax authorities and open a labor file with the Ministry of Labour to enable employee hiring. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the Wage Protection System (WPS).

Opening a corporate bank account.
For smooth operations, it is necessary to open a bank account with one of the Emirates’ banks. The required document package depends on the chosen business activity.