How to setup a business in Dubai?
Table of Contents
Introduction
So, you’re ready to take the leap and move to Dubai, or perhaps you’re still considering it, but there’s one major question on your mind: How long will the entire process take?
Well, you’re in the right place! Let’s walk you through each step, so you know exactly what to expect and how to make this exciting transition as smooth as possible.
Step 1: The Discovery Call
The very first step we take with all our clients at GenZone is to hop on a discovery call. This is where we dig deep into your plans, goals, and vision for your business in Dubai. You can easily book a call with us through the link below, and once we’re on the call, we’ll discuss everything you need to know.
Here’s what we cover during this discovery call:
Business Vision: What do you want to achieve with your business in Dubai? Are you looking to expand, start fresh, or perhaps tap into a new market?
Business Structure: We help you determine the best structure for your business. Will it be a sole proprietorship, an LLC, or something else? Who will be involved in this business, and what roles will they play?
Shareholders: We identify all shareholders and any other companies that might be involved in your new business.
Business Activities: What will your business actually do? This is crucial for determining the right licenses and setup.
Location: Should you set up in a Free Zone or on the Mainland? If it’s a Free Zone, which one is right for you? At GenZone, we’re well-versed in all the options and can guide you to the best fit.
By gathering all this information, we can properly structure your company, submit the correct documents for your business and its shareholders, and determine the best location for registration.
Step 2: Document Submission
Once our team has structured your company and prepared all the necessary documents, we submit them to the government. This step is relatively quick—expect to wait about 3 to 5 business days for your company formation documents to be approved and returned to us.
When the documents are ready, we’ll send you a digital copy. There’s no need to worry about receiving physical documents—you can access everything online, from anywhere in the world.
Quick Tip:
You don’t need to be in Dubai for this step, which makes it incredibly convenient if you’re still overseas.
Step 3: Getting Your e-Visa
Next up is obtaining your e-Visa. Now, you might be wondering, “Why do I need an e-Visa if my passport already allows me to visit Dubai without one?” The difference here is that an e-Visa isn’t just a tourist visa—it’s an employment visa, which is essential for setting up your business and working in Dubai.
To get your e-Visa, we’ll submit the necessary documents to the government. The processing time is typically between 2 to 5 business days. Once issued, the e-Visa is a digital document, but we recommend printing a physical copy before you travel to Dubai. You’ll need to present it at Customs when you arrive.
Important Note:
Make sure you use your e-Visa when entering Dubai. This ensures you’re entering the country as an employee of your new company, not as a tourist. If you forget and enter on a tourist visa, don’t stress—it’s a quick fix. We can switch your visa from tourist to employment status in just one day.
Step 4: Medical Exam and Biometrics
After you’ve arrived in Dubai, the next step is to complete a medical exam and biometrics appointment. These are standard requirements for obtaining your residency in the UAE.
Timeline:
Normally, this process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 business days. However, at GenZone, we’ve streamlined this step for our clients. We offer a VIP service that gets both the medical exam and biometrics done in a single day. We work directly with the centers to secure priority booking, so you don’t have to spend unnecessary time waiting.
Once the medical and biometric results are in, we submit them to the government, and within 24 to 48 hours, you’ll receive your official UAE residency. Congratulations! You’re now an official resident of the UAE.
Step 5: Receiving Your Emirates ID
With your residency approved, the next step is to get your Emirates ID. We’ll request the ID to be printed and shipped directly to your location in Dubai. Typically, this takes about 2 to 3 business days.
Your Emirates ID is an essential document for living and working in Dubai. It serves as your identification card and is required for many official transactions.
Step 6: Opening Your Bank Accounts
Finally, it’s time to tackle banking. Here’s where things can get tricky if you’re doing it on your own. Many people struggle with opening a bank account in Dubai, and this is often because of mistakes made in the earlier steps. But don’t worry—with GenZone, everything will be handled correctly, and we’ll guide you through the process smoothly.
Personal Bank Account:
Opening a personal bank account on your own can take months, but we can expedite this process with a major bank like Emirates NBD. We can often have your account opened within a day.
Corporate Bank Account:
Setting up a corporate bank account typically takes a bit longer, but it shouldn’t take more than a week. Once everything is set up, you’ll just need to wait for your bank cards to arrive in the mail, which usually takes about 3 to 4 business days.
Quick Tip:
If you’re in a rush, you don’t have to wait around for the cards to arrive. You can leave Dubai as soon as your accounts are set up, and the cards will be mailed to you. However, if you prefer to have everything in hand before you go, just wait a few extra days.
Total Timeline Overview
Let’s break down the entire process:
1.5 Weeks Outside Dubai: This includes the discovery call, document submission, and e-Visa processing.
1 to 2 Weeks Inside Dubai: This covers your medical exam, biometrics, residency approval, Emirates ID, and bank account setup.
In total, you’re looking at approximately 3 to 3.5 weeks to complete the entire process. However, if you opt for our VIP service, we can cut that time down by as much as 50%, meaning you could be fully set up and ready to go in just over two weeks.
Ready to Make the Move?
Moving to Dubai and setting up your business doesn’t have to be a long or complicated process. With the right guidance and support, you can be fully established in just a few weeks, ready to enjoy everything that Dubai has to offer.
If you’re ready to get started or if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to book a call with us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
