Business Setup Services in Dubai

Dubai has established itself as one of the world's premier business hubs, offering strategic location, world-class infrastructure, business-friendly regulations, and tax advantages that attract entrepreneurs and corporations from around the globe. At EOMHRC, we provide comprehensive business setup services that guide you through every step of establishing your presence in Dubai and the UAE, from initial consultation through to full operational readiness.

Why Start a Business in Dubai?

Dubai offers compelling advantages for businesses across all sectors. The city serves as a gateway to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, providing access to over 2 billion consumers. The UAE's strategic trade agreements, modern ports, and logistics infrastructure make it an ideal hub for regional and international operations.

From a regulatory and tax perspective, Dubai offers significant benefits including zero corporate tax in most free zones, 100% foreign ownership options, full repatriation of profits and capital, and streamlined company formation processes. The government actively supports entrepreneurship through various initiatives, making Dubai an attractive destination for startups and established corporations alike.

The quality of life in Dubai is another major draw. The city offers world-class infrastructure, safety and security, multicultural environment, excellent healthcare and education facilities, and year-round sunshine. For business owners and expatriate employees, Dubai provides an exceptional living environment that makes talent attraction and retention easier.

Choosing the Right Business Structure

One of your first and most important decisions is selecting the right type of business entity and jurisdiction. Your choice will impact ownership rights, operational flexibility, taxation, visa allocation, and office space requirements. At EOMHRC, we provide expert guidance to help you navigate these options.

Mainland Company Formation

Mainland companies are registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) and can operate anywhere in Dubai and across the UAE. They can also bid on government contracts and serve both the local and international markets. Historically, mainland companies required a UAE national partner holding 51% ownership, but recent regulatory changes now allow 100% foreign ownership in many sectors.

Mainland companies offer maximum flexibility in terms of business activities you can conduct and where you can operate. They're ideal for businesses that need to trade directly with the local market, require a physical office outside free zones, or want the prestige of a mainland address.

Free Zone Company Formation

Dubai has more than 30 specialized free zones, each designed to support specific industries or business types. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate and personal income tax, full repatriation of profits, and simplified customs procedures.

Each free zone has its own regulations, pricing structure, and facility offerings. Popular options include Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) for trading and commodities, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for financial services, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Silicon Oasis for technology companies, Dubai Healthcare City for healthcare businesses, and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) for manufacturing and logistics.

The main limitation of free zone companies is that they typically cannot trade directly with the UAE mainland market without engaging a local distributor. However, for businesses primarily focused on international markets or providing services, free zones offer an excellent structure.

Offshore Company Formation

Offshore companies in Dubai are used primarily for international business activities, asset protection, and holding structures. They cannot conduct business within the UAE but offer tax benefits, privacy, and asset protection advantages. Common offshore jurisdictions include Jebel Ali Offshore (JAFZ Offshore) and RAK Offshore.

Our Business Setup Services

Initial Consultation and Needs Assessment

We begin every engagement with a comprehensive consultation to understand your business concept, goals, target markets, industry sector, budget, and specific requirements. Based on this discussion, we provide tailored recommendations on the most suitable jurisdiction, legal structure, and licensing requirements for your business.

Business License Application and Approval

Navigating Dubai's business licensing process requires understanding of specific requirements for different business activities and jurisdictions. We handle the entire licensing process on your behalf, including selecting appropriate business activities, preparing and submitting applications, liaising with relevant authorities, and ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate.

Different business activities require different types of licenses (commercial, professional, industrial, or tourism). We ensure you obtain the correct licenses for all activities you plan to conduct.

Trade Name Reservation and Registration

Your company name must comply with UAE naming conventions and be approved by the relevant authority. We assist with brainstorming suitable names, checking availability, understanding naming restrictions and guidelines, and securing approval for your preferred trade name.

Office Space Solutions

Most business structures in Dubai require a physical office address. Depending on your needs and budget, we can arrange flexi-desk or co-working space, dedicated office space in business centers or commercial buildings, warehouse or industrial facilities, or virtual office services (where permitted).

We have partnerships with leading business centers and real estate providers across Dubai, allowing us to offer competitive rates and flexible terms. We help you find space that meets regulatory requirements while fitting your operational needs and budget.

Visa Processing and Immigration Support

Your business license determines how many residence visas you can sponsor for owners, partners, and employees. We provide comprehensive visa and immigration support including investor and partner visas, employee visas, family sponsorship, medical fitness tests and Emirates ID processing, visa renewals and cancellations.

The visa process can be complex and time-consuming, but our experienced team ensures smooth processing and helps you avoid common pitfalls that can cause delays or rejections.

PRO (Public Relations Officer) Services

Many government procedures in Dubai require interaction with various departments and ministries. PRO services handle these interactions on your behalf, saving you time and ensuring processes are completed correctly. Our PRO services include document attestation and notarization, government approvals and permits, immigration and labor department transactions, and ongoing compliance and renewal support.

Bank Account Opening

Opening a corporate bank account is essential for business operations, but can be challenging for new companies. We assist with selecting appropriate banks based on your needs, preparing required documentation, scheduling and attending bank meetings, and following up until account activation.

Our relationships with major local and international banks operating in Dubai help facilitate smoother account opening processes.

Accounting and Bookkeeping Setup

Proper financial management from day one is critical. We help you establish accounting systems and processes, recommend accounting software and solutions, arrange for ongoing bookkeeping services if needed, and ensure compliance with VAT registration and filing requirements (if applicable).

HR and Payroll Setup

As you begin hiring employees, you'll need compliant HR and payroll systems. We assist with understanding UAE labor law requirements, developing employment contracts and HR policies, setting up payroll systems, and arranging Work Injury Allowance (WPS) compliance.

Industry-Specific Requirements

Certain industries have additional regulatory requirements beyond standard business licensing. We have expertise in navigating requirements for regulated sectors including financial services (DFSA, Central Bank approvals), healthcare (DHA, MOHAP licenses), food and beverage (municipality approvals, health permits), legal and accounting services (professional practice licenses), and education (KHDA approvals for training centers).

We work with you to understand and fulfill all industry-specific requirements, ensuring your business is fully compliant from launch.

Ongoing Business Support

Our relationship doesn't end once your business is set up. We provide ongoing support services to help you maintain compliance and focus on growing your business including annual license renewals, visa renewals and new visa processing, additional space as you grow, regulatory compliance monitoring, and connection to professional service providers (lawyers, accountants, etc.).

Timelines and Costs

The timeline for setting up a business in Dubai varies depending on the type of company, jurisdiction, and specific circumstances, but typically ranges from 2-6 weeks for straightforward setups. Free zone companies often have faster, more streamlined processes, while mainland companies may take longer due to additional approval requirements.

Costs vary widely based on jurisdiction, business activities, office space requirements, and number of visas needed. We provide transparent quotes upfront so you can plan your budget accordingly. Our goal is to help you establish your business cost-effectively while ensuring all requirements are properly met.

Why Choose EOMHRC?

Setting up a business in a foreign country can be daunting, but with EOMHRC as your partner, the process becomes straightforward and stress-free. We bring deep local knowledge accumulated over years of operating in the Dubai market, proven expertise in company formation across all jurisdictions and structures, established relationships with government authorities and service providers, and transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees.

Most importantly, our business setup services are completely FREE. We believe in supporting entrepreneurship and making it accessible for anyone with a viable business idea to establish their presence in Dubai. You'll only pay the mandatory government fees and costs for required services (office space, visas, etc.)—our expertise and support come at no charge.

Success Stories

We've helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses establish their operations in Dubai, from solo entrepreneurs and startups to regional expansions of multinational corporations. Our clients span every industry and come from countries around the world. What they all have in common is that they chose Dubai for their business and chose EOMHRC to make it happen smoothly.

Ready to Start Your Dubai Business Journey?

Whether you have a detailed business plan ready to execute or are just exploring the possibilities, EOMHRC is here to guide you. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your business setup needs. We'll answer your questions, provide expert recommendations, and outline exactly what's involved in bringing your Dubai business vision to life. Let's turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.