How to register a company in the UAE?
Registering a business in the United Arab Emirates is a good way to enter the international market. It is a real opportunity to legalise your stay in the country. In this case, the question of how to open a company in the UAE if you intend to obtain an Emirates ID resident card is particularly relevant. At first glance, it may seem that obtaining an Emirates ID and registering a business are two separate procedures, but in reality, one often follows from the other.
Why the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates has long been the business centre of the entire Middle East. There is a corporate income tax of 9% for most companies, but at the same time there are tax breaks. If profits are below a certain threshold, no tax is payable. The country also offers a stable banking system, a high standard of living and the possibility of international payments in dollars. You can set up a company remotely and manage it from anywhere in the world. However, if you want to take full advantage of the country's banking and legal opportunities, you will need an Emirates ID.
How to open a company in the UAE
Key steps:
- Selecting a registration zone (free zone or mainland). This determines the range of permitted activities, office requirements, the possibility of 100% ownership, and business regulation.
- Selecting a company name in accordance with UAE legal standards.
- Defining the scope of activity. The choice of a specific direction determines what type of licence will need to be obtained — trade, service, manufacturing, etc. The UAE is a special jurisdiction where all companies can obtain licences. However, it is important to understand that a licence in the UAE does not necessarily mean a licensed type of activity.
- Submitting an application and preparing documents. The application is submitted to the selected jurisdiction, accompanied by copies of passports, proof of address and other necessary documents, and the founders must undergo video verification.
- Obtaining a licence. Once the documents have been approved, a licence is issued, which officially authorises the company to engage in the declared type of business.
- Issuance of constituent documents. The company receives its charter, registration certificate and other documents confirming its legal status.
- Opening a corporate account (optional, but important). For financial activities and settlements with counterparties, it is advisable to open an account with one of the UAE banks or a payment system/neobank.
The company can be registered as a freelancer, start-up, IT specialist, trading company or even a holding structure. It all depends on the tasks at hand. It is important to know that banks in the UAE often will not open an account if the director does not have an Emirates ID. To obtain an Emirates ID, you need to apply for a UAE resident visa, which is linked to the company.
Registering a company as a way to obtain an Emirates ID
Registering a company does not require an Emirates ID. However, if you need a bank account or wish to live and work in the UAE, the company can serve as a basis for obtaining a visa and Emirates ID.
When registering, you can choose a package with a certain number of visas. For example, the standard ‘one visa package’ means that the business owner can apply for a resident visa for themselves and obtain an Emirates ID. A package with two or three visas allows you to hire employees or invite family members. Thus, registering a company is not just about starting a business, but also a tool for obtaining official resident status in the country.
How it works in practice
The following important steps must be completed:
- registering the company with the selected visa package;
- obtaining a business licence and founding documents;
- submitting an application for a residence visa;
- visiting the UAE to undergo a medical examination and fingerprinting in the UAE;
- obtaining an Emirates ID card with the right to live and work in the country;
- opening a personal and corporate account based on the Emirates ID.
The entire procedure is carried out in the UAE. You will need to stay in the country for approximately 5–10 days.
We provide assistance and support: we will meet you at the airport, provide a transfer, book a medical examination, and provide an interpreter and escort for all stages of the process. Once you have received your Emirates ID, you can leave the country and manage your company remotely.
The relevance of Emirates ID in business
Emirates ID is not just a document, it is the key to a full life and business in the UAE. With it, you can:
- Open an account with local banks. Without Emirates ID, most banks will refuse to open both corporate and personal accounts.
- Rent accommodation and office space. Long-term rental of real estate in the UAE is only possible with a valid resident ID card.
- Sign legal documents. Emirates ID is required for concluding contracts, registering transactions and certifying signatures.
- Take out medical insurance. All residents are required to have insurance, and it is not possible to take out a policy without Emirates ID.
- Enter and leave the country without a visa. With a valid ID card, residents can freely cross the UAE borders within the validity period of their visa.
- Receive local discounts and preferences. Many institutions, including government agencies, mobile operators and banks, offer bonuses and discounts to residents with an Emirates ID.
Without an Emirates ID, banks are increasingly refusing to open corporate accounts, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. That is why registering a company with a visa package is a smart move, not just a formality.
What is included in the registration package
The standard package includes:
- selection of a free zone with a suitable jurisdiction;
- company registration;
- obtaining a licence and a package of company charter documents;
- processing of a visa package (1 or more);
- assistance with medical examination and biometrics;
- obtaining an Emirates ID;
- consultations on visa renewal (once every 2 years);
- consultations on company renewal and licence renewal (once a year).
An extension service is also available. After 2 years, the visa and Emirates ID must be renewed. This entire process also takes place in the UAE with personal attendance, and the process is similar to the initial application. The visa package can be changed during the company's operation. For example, if the company is registered for a package of 1 visa, but later needs more, the package can be expanded.
Features of different fryzons
There are more than 40 free economic zones in the United Arab Emirates. Some of them offer the option of registering a company online, while others require physical presence. You should choose the best option based on your goals:
- for trade — Ajman Free Zone, Sharjah Media City;
- for IT and freelancing — IFZA, Meydan Free Zone;
- for large structures — DMCC, Dubai South.
Some free zones offer ‘one-person packages’ where you can obtain a visa and ID without the obligation to rent a physical office, which is especially convenient for start-ups and sole traders.
What are the benefits of opening a company with Emirates ID?
- Capital withdrawal to a stable jurisdiction. The UAE offers a reliable legal environment that protects assets and allows for the safe management of funds outside countries with high tax risks.
- Official residency in a country with a high standard of living. Upon obtaining an Emirates ID, an entrepreneur becomes a resident of the UAE, which provides access to healthcare, education, the rental market, and government services.
- Legal access to the banking system. An Emirates ID allows you to open accounts with leading UAE banks, use payment solutions, and conduct international transactions.
- The ability to bring your family and employees. As part of the visa package, you can apply for visas for close relatives and key employees, which simplifies relocation and business management.
- Transparency and tax advantages. Companies in the UAE operate under low or zero taxation, and registration with Emirates ID allows you to take advantage of these benefits legally.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a way to open a company in the UAE and obtain an Emirates ID at the same time, registering a company with a visa package is a reliable and viable option. This is not just starting a business, but a full-fledged move to a jurisdiction with global opportunities.
We accompany our clients at all stages, from choosing a free zone to obtaining an Emirates ID and opening a bank account. Everything is done on time and without bureaucracy: we meet you in the Emirates, accompany you, guide you through all the procedures, and as a result, you have a ready-made ID and company.
