Mainland licenses are a favoured choice for investors who aim to expand their business in the local market while having the flexibility to trade internationally. In fact, due to its ease in increasing staff and branch additions while operating as an L.L.C., it is one of the most commonly found types of business setups in the U.A.E.
Furthermore, the government has recently established the latest amendment being 100% expatriate ownership of a mainland business without the need of a local U.A.E. National Sponsor, which has only further increased its preference.
As a result, global investors can open a 100% fully-owned mainland company in a wide range of business activities.
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Why choose Mainland?
Professional License
Issued for businesses that operate in service-focused activities for example consulting. Out of the four, this one is the most reasonable of all.
Commercial License
Issued for firms that operate in trade of good & services. Usually, most investors opt for a General Trading License to deal with more than one activity with a single license.
Industrial License
Issued for entities that deal in the manufacturing of goods in factories, industries etc. which also requires the approval of External Ministries based on activity type.
Tourism License
Issued for establishments that deal in all tourism-related activities. DTCM has a major role in the issuance of this license type & is mandatory to conduct any tour-related activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Mainland Licenses
Q) What services does Amer JLT fulfil?
A) The complete list of Amer services includes issuing entry permits, issues, and renewals of residency visas, visa cancellations, visa status changes, and any other visa-related services that are provided by the government.
Q) Would Amer be able to assist with all my staffing visa requirements?
A) Yes, absolutely. Amer would be able to fulfil the following:
- Entry Permit for (Company Employment & Family) – Inside & Outside the Country
- Residencies (Company Employment & Family)- New/Renewal/Cancellation
- Family Visit Visa
- Newborn Baby Visa Processing
- Sponsorship Transfer Company & Family
- Change Status Company & Family
- Housemaid’s Visa Processing
- Visit Visa Extension For On Arrival & GCC Residents
- New/Renewal of Establishment Card
- PRO Card
Q) Which categories of applications for Emirates ID would Amer be able to apply for?
- A)
- Emirates ID for Local
- Emirates ID for GCC
- Emirates ID New, Renewal for 1 Year
- Emirates ID New, Renewal for 2 Years
- Emirates ID New, Renewal for 3 Years
- Emirates ID Replacement
Q) How do I apply for a family visa?
A) You can apply for a visa for your family under your sponsorship if you have a residence visa in Dubai, a profession and a salary that allows you to host your family.
- Original Emirates ID, Passport Copy & Visa Copy of Sponsor
- Salary Certificate or Labor Contract of Sponsor
- House Rental Contract
From your Family:
- Passport copy + photo with white background
- Attested Marriage/Birth Certificate – whichever applicable
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Why choose Free Zone?
Offering 100% business ownership, permission to employ any number of foreign workforce, tax exemption, low setup and maintenance costs, minimum government intervention, and much more - Free Zone Licenses are the most sought after by foreign investors.
The U.A.E. has over 45 free zones with separate jurisdictions comprising of varying requirements, structures and fees for company registration based on the respective zone. The criteria for selecting your free zone is based on the type of business activity matching the preferred free zone category. Investors can choose from the numerous Free Zones in Dubai, Sharjah, and other Emirates, depending on their business requirements and budget.
Apart from exclusive ownership benefits, monetary benefits like complete tax exemptions, 100% repatriation benefits, absence of foreign exchange restrictions is another major added benefit for free zone businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Free Zone Licenses
Q) What is the difference between free zone, mainland and offshore company licenses?
A) Free zones are designated areas within the UAE where special rules and regulations of respective Free Zone Authority applies with regard to trade and commerce. Free zone companies are essentially onshore companies that can be 100% owned by expatriates with no import export duty charged.
Trading companies in Mainland that are registered as an L.L.C. (Limited Liability Company) with a U.A.E. local sponsor owning 51% of the business. Offshore IBCs are non-resident companies that are not eligible for office premises or residence visa quota and it cannot do any business within UAE but are permitted to have an office Business Bank Account.
Q) What are the types of business entities available in the Free Zone?
A) The Free zone jurisdiction allows the following business types to set up their base – Free Zone Limited Liability Company, Branch of an International Company, Branch of a Company already in operational in Dubai, Free zone Establishment (Single Shareholders), Free zone Company (2 to 5 Shareholders).
Q) Can a free zone company do business with a company in the mainland?
A) Yes, a free zone entity may deal with a company in the mainland provided; the company appoints a local DED registered agent for sales & distribution, opens a branch in the mainland, initiates an L.L.C. Company, or starts a Civil Works Company. Any trade done by free zone company to mainland or vice-versa will be treated as export/import and U.A.E. customs laws would apply.
Q) How many free zone jurisdictions out of the 45+ are located in Dubai?
A) The total number of active free zones in Dubai itself are 28 as it is one of the most preferred Emirate for Free Zone company formation in the UAE. The major Free Zone jurisdictions are listed below:
- Dubai South Free zone which is the proposed venue for the international event – Dubai World Expo 2020. The Free zone serves as an aviation, SME and logistics hub.
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) which offers licenses for a variety of business activities like general trading, trading of machinery, equipment, electrical and electronic items, construction and building materials, jewellery, logistics, aviation, manufacturing etc.
- Dubai Silicon Oasis which serves as a technology hub that caters to the requirements of telecom and the IT sector.
- Dubai Healthcare City which caters to the entire needs of the Healthcare sector like medical research facilities, clinical and non-clinical services, medical equipment etc.
Q) Would free zone companies be charged custom duties?
A) Free Zone offers 100 % foreign company ownership along with 100% repatriation of capital & profits. Therefore, they are exempted from all import & export duties and no corporate tax. They would however be applicable to file a 5% VAT for all domestic transactions effected inside UAE.
6. What is the validity period of a free zone trade license?
Each Free Zone has its own policies and regulations due to which the validity of the business license and the stipulations are dependent on it. Typically, a Free zone license in Dubai is valid for up to 3 years.
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Why choose Offshore?
This type of company formation is most preferred by entrepreneurs and investors that prioritize business confidentiality and asset protection. Offshore companies are not permitted to perform business transactions within the U.A.E, keeping all their trade operations strictly international. Offshore investors enjoy benefits such as 100% ownership of assets, tax exemptions, investor-friendly laws and policies, along with the added ability to garner international funding.
An Offshore license functions differently from a Free Zone or Mainland license, wherein they are governed by international laws.
Some of the top benefits of establishing an Offshore company would be swift documentation, minimal setup and maintenance fees, ease of share transfers, liberty to invoice clients worldwide, and the most superior benefit would be that it can be utilised as a holding company to umbrella several companies, anywhere in the world, under it.
What are the Offshore locations?
Offshore companies may set up only in two jurisdictions being JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) and RAK (Ras Al-Khaimah). Offshore companies require an Incorporation certificate to initiate all operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Offshore Licenses
Q) What is the difference between free zone, mainland and offshore company licenses?
A) Free zones are designated areas within the UAE where special rules and regulations of respective Free Zone Authority applies with regard to trade and commerce. Free zone companies are essentially onshore companies that can be 100% owned by expatriates with no import export duty charged.
Trading companies in Mainland that are registered as an L.L.C. (Limited Liability Company) with a U.A.E. local sponsor owning 51% of the business. Offshore IBCs are non-resident companies that are not eligible for office premises or residence visa quota and it cannot do any business within UAE but are permitted to have an office Business Bank Account.
Q) Can an Offshore company hold shares in another company?
A) Yes, an Offshore company may hold shares in other companies as well.
Q) Which sectors are Offshore companies not sanctioned to deal with?
A) Offshore companies are not authorized to carry out businesses in banking, insurance and real estate sector
Q) Can an Offshore company do business in the mainland?
A) No, an Offshore company is unauthorized to carry out business in the Mainland.
Q) What are the document required to set up an Offshore company?
A) The documents required for an Offshore company formation in Dubai are as per the below:
- Application in the requisite format
- Proof of Address
- Documents from Bank indicating the details and bank reference letter
- Copies of passports of owner and shareholders
- Copy of passport of the designate manager
- Notarized Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Business plan
- Curriculum Vitae indicating the owner’s professional data
Q) What is the minimal capital requirement to set up an Offshore company?
A) For business set up, the minimum capital prerequisite is not mandatory.
Q) For business set up, the minimum capital prerequisite is not mandatory.
A) An Offshore License doesn’t accommodate a residence visa, doesn’t allow any trade operations in the U.A.E. and doesn’t require a local premise.
Q) Can an Offshore investor open a business account in a local bank?
A) Yes, an Offshore company can open a Bank Account in the UAE provided that the company owner visits the country to fulfil the necessary paperwork. The company account will be initiated once the bank has assessed the business activity, company profile, fund flow, etc.
Q) How long does it take to set up an Offshore company?
A) Setting up an Offshore company is relatively easier than the others and can be accomplished within the span of 2 working days. It can be initiated through an online registration form along with submitting the relevant documents. This type of formation can be completed without the physical presence of the company owner in the country.
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2022 Etisalat. All Rights Reserved
©
2022 Etisalat. All Rights Reserved