Mainland

• The UAE offers six main types of business activities:
• Occupational

1. 1. Tourism
   2. Industrial
   3. Commercial
   4. Agricultural
   5. Professional

• There are more than 2,000 economic activities in the UAE

• A business structure is primarily based on the needs of the business and will determine the laws and regulations the company must adhere to.
• Legal forms of businesses in the UAE

1. 1. Sole establishment
   2. Branch of a GCC company
   3. Civil Company
   4. Branch of a local company
   5. Limited liability company
   6. Holding company
   7. Public joint stock company
   8. Representative office of a foreign company
   9. Private joint stock company

There are 3 major trade license types you need to decide.

The trade name is the name of the company, which must be unique and not be similar to the name of any other registered company. You can apply for a trade name through the chosen emirate’s Department of Economic Development either on its website or smart application or in person.

An initial approval is the UAE Government’s ‘no objection’ towards a particular business being established in the country. This approval also allows the investor to proceed with the next steps to set up a business and for the authorities to issue the license. It does not, however, grant the investor permission to run the business or practice the business activity.

A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is required if the legal form of the company is a civil company, limited liability company, public shareholding company, or private shareholding company. A local service agent agreement (LSA) is required if it is a sole proprietorship.

All businesses in the UAE must have a physical address to operate from. The company premises and location must comply with requirements specified by the emirate’s Department of Economic Development, as well as zoning policies and regulations of local municipalities or other competent authorities. In Dubai, the tenancy contract for office or warehouse space has to be registered through the Dubai Land Department’s Ejari portal.

• Receipt of initial approval and copies of all previously submitted documents
• Copy of lease contract, duly attested
• Memorandum/s of Association, as required
• Approvals from other government entities, as required

Customers can collect the business license from service centres of the economic department or through their website.