Company Registration in UAE (IBC, LLC & Free Zone)
United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an internationally recognized jurisdiction for company registration, offering very favorable conditions for doing business with a notable advantage: the presence of a corporate tax regime of 0 and 9%.
Why consider UAE and set up an IBC (offshore) company?
Requirements for registering an International Business Company (IBC) in the UAE:
IBC offers confidentiality, tax advantages and simplified transactions.
Key Features:
Select Jurisdiction: Select an appropriate jurisdiction, such as a UAE free zone or a mainland jurisdiction, for your IBC. Business Type: Determine the nature of your IBC’s business, taking into account any restrictions imposed by the jurisdiction. Legal Structure: Determine an appropriate legal structure for your IBC, considering aspects such as shareholders and directors. Company Name: Choose a company name that is unique and compliant with the requirements of the jurisdiction.
Authorized Capital: Depending on the jurisdiction, meet all minimum capital requirements. License Application: Apply for the appropriate type of license based on the intended operations of the IBC. Registered Agent: Appoint a registered agent to handle administrative requirements and liaise with local authorities.
Shareholders and Directors: Declare the shareholders and directors of the company, taking into account the requirements for citizenship and residence. Office Address: Provide the address of the registered office in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdiction. Filing of Documents: Prepare and submit the necessary documents, including identification and business details.
Annual Compliance: Comply with annual reporting, registration renewals, and tax returns as required by your jurisdiction.
The specifics of the registration process vary depending on the jurisdiction you choose. While registering an IBC usually allows for a quick setup, you must comply with all regulations. For complete information, please refer to the official resources of your chosen jurisdiction.
How much does it cost to register an IBC (offshore) company in the UAE?
The basic package includes:
Company name check
Company registration
Legal Secretary Services
State duties
Registered office (one year)
The main advantage of the basic package is that it provides the necessary services for setting up a company, while keeping costs relatively low. It covers the basic requirements for setting up a legal entity.
Standard package includes:
Company name check
Company registration
Legal Secretary Services
State duties
Registered office (one year)
Apostille of a set of documents
Courier delivery (international courier service)
The main advantage of the standard package is the inclusion of courier delivery and a legalized set of documents. Legalized documents are easily accepted by banks and financial institutions around the world.
The extended package includes:
Company name check
Company registration
Legal Secretary Services
State duties
Registered office (one year)
Apostille of a set of documents
Courier delivery (international courier service) Nominee director
In addition, the inclusion of a nominee director provides an additional level of privacy and anonymity for the actual owners or managers of the company. This arrangement also allows the nominee director to be appointed as an authorized signatory on contracts.
The Premium package includes:
Company name check
Company registration
Legal Secretary Services
State duties
Registered office (one year)
Set of documents with apostille
Courier delivery (international courier service)
Nominee director
Nominee shareholder
Additionally, by using both a nominee shareholder and a nominee director, you can achieve the highest level of privacy and anonymity for the owners.
Setting up a DMCC company in UAE
Still not sure which company or package to choose? Your questions are welcome below ↓
Requirements for registering a company in DMCC Free Zone:
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone is a leading business hub offering a variety of benefits including 100% foreign ownership, no personal or corporate taxes and access to international markets. Setting up a company in DMCC is simple and efficient, making it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes.
Key requirements:
Select your activity from a wide range of government-approved activities in sectors such as commodities, trading, technology, consulting, and more. Your choice of activity will determine the type of license you will need: trade, service, or industrial.
Choose a unique trading name that complies with DMCC naming rules. The name should reflect your business and comply with UAE naming conventions.
Complete an online application on the DMCC portal, including details of your chosen business activity, shareholders and office space requirements.
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA): Prepare and submit a notarized MOA outlining the structure and activities of the company. This document will be required for approval by the DMCC authorities.
Obtaining permits and licenses. Apply for the required business license through DMCC, pay the relevant fees, and obtain the necessary permits depending on your type of business. For example, some businesses, such as food-related businesses, may require additional permits.
Renting office space. DMCC requires all companies to rent office space within the free zone. Rental options can range from flexible workspaces for start-ups to full-floor offices for larger enterprises. The type of office you have will impact the final licensing and setup costs.
Renting office space. DMCC requires all companies to rent office space within the free zone. Rental options can range from flexible workspaces for start-ups to full-floor offices for larger enterprises. The type of office you have will impact the final licensing and setup costs.
Corporate Bank Account: Once licensed, open a corporate bank account in the UAE to manage your financial operations. DMCC has strong banking relationships with leading banks in the UAE, making the account opening process easy.
Company Registration and Visa Application. Register your company with the relevant authorities and apply for employee and investor visas. The number of visas you can apply for depends on the size of your office and the structure of your business.
DMCC Compliance: As a DMCC registered company, you must comply with ongoing legal, financial and operational regulations such as annual audits and visa renewals. To avoid penalties, keep your DMCC company information up to date.
Additional benefits of setting up a DMCC company:
- Possibility of 100% foreign ownership
- No income or corporate taxes
- No import and export duties
- Full repatriation of profits and capital
- Strategic location in Dubai with access to global markets
- Setting up a company in the DMCC Free Zone offers flexibility, tax advantages and a simplified registration process. With access to a thriving business ecosystem, DMCC is the ideal environment for companies looking to establish a presence in Dubai and beyond.
Company Formation (IFZA Dubai) in UAE
The Dubai International Free Zone (IFZA) is one of the fastest growing free zones in the UAE. It offers an attractive business environment, allowing entrepreneurs and companies to benefit from 100% foreign ownership, a wide range of business activities and flexible office solutions.
The main stages of establishing a company in IFZA:
Select your activity from a comprehensive list of over 1,000 activities in various sectors, including trade, consulting, services and industry. The activity you select will determine the type of license you will need: professional, commercial or industrial.
Choose a unique company name that complies with IFZA naming rules. The name you choose should reflect the nature of your business and meet UAE business naming requirements, without being similar to an existing company.
Submit an application for pre-approval. This will require basic information such as the company structure, type of activity, and information about shareholders.
Prepare and submit key documents. Submit the required documentation, including copies of shareholders’ and directors’ passports, proof of address, and other required identification documents. IFZA’s streamlined process simplifies the submission of documents and speeds up the approval process.
Articles of Association (MOA) . Prepare a draft memorandum of association (MOA) outlining the company's objectives, structure, and ownership. The memorandum will be notarized and filed as part of the company formation process.
Obtaining a license and paying the fee. Once your documents are approved, apply for a business license that matches your chosen activity. The following types of licenses are available from IFZA: service, trade, and industrial. License fees are competitive and can be for one or more activities.
Office Space Rentals: IFZA offers a variety of flexible office solutions to suit companies of all sizes. Depending on your company’s needs and visa requirements, you can rent smart desks, shared offices or private office space.
Open a corporate bank account. Once you have obtained your business license, open a corporate bank account in Dubai to facilitate business transactions. IFZA companies have access to many local and international banks, making the process efficient and simple.
Applying for and obtaining a visa. Apply for UAE visas for shareholders, employees and dependents through IFZA visa services. The number of visas your company can apply for depends on the office space you rent.
Benefits of Setting Up a Company in IFZA Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership without the need for a local sponsor.
- No personal income tax or corporate tax.
- Full repatriation of profits and capital.
- Affordable and flexible license packages.
- Access to the global business network from a strategic location in Dubai.
Conclusion: The IFZA Free Zone in Dubai offers a cost-effective and simplified process for setting up a business. Whether you are a start-up or an established business, the zone provides a range of flexible options and benefits, including tax exemptions and flexible office space solutions.
Still not sure which company or package to choose? Your questions are welcome below ↓