Set Up Onshore Company in Dubai

Investors have the possibility to open three types of companies in Dubai:

• - onshore companies used to operate within the local UAE market,
• - free zone companies usually employed by foreign investors operating within Dubai’s free zones,
• - offshore companies which allow full foreign ownership and are employed as asset, property or holding companies in Dubai.

Foreign investors may also choose to register an onshore free trade zone company in Dubai that is among the most common types of companies registered in Dubai because of the tax benefits it offers.

What are the available types of Dubai onshore companies?

According to the Companies Law in Dubai, onshore companies may be incorporated under different forms among which limited liability companies, private and public shareholding companies. Foreign companies also have the possibility of registering branch offices or subsidiaries as onshore companies in Dubai. All types of onshore companies have different shareholding structure and share capital requirements as it follows:

• - Dubai limited liability companies must have at least one UAE national partner holding at least 51% of the paid-up capital,
• - free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership.

Licensing requirements are applicable to all types of companies.

Licensing requirements for Dubai onshore companies

No matter the type of onshore company to be incorporated in Dubai, there are three types of licenses:

• - the trade license,
• - the manufacturing or industrial license,
• - the professional license.

The Dubai trade license is issued for trading activities within the UAE market. The manufacturing or industrial license is released for onshore companies carrying out investment activities in the manufacturing industry and the professional licenses are granted for onshore companies, such as accounting services, educational and medical services.

What are the advantages of setting up onshore companies in Dubai?

The registration of a company in Dubai provides many benefits to foreign investors, that is why the Emirate has flourished during the last few years. Among these benefits are:

• - the simple regulatory system,
• - the tax-free economy,
• - the lack of capital gains and corporate tax in Dubai,
• - the possibility of owning real estate,
• - multiple currency available bank account for companies,
• - the skilled Dubai workforce.

For onshore company incorporation, we invite you to contact our company formation agents in Dubai.