Checklists

Setting up a business involves raising capital investment, paying for licences and employee visas. The cost of setting up a business depends on: The nature of the activity and licence required; whether it is commercial, industrial or service-oriented The legal form of the company; whether it is an establishment, a company, or a branch of a company.

The nationality of partners is important to determine what type of business they can set up on the mainland. Only UAE nationals may set up the following types of companies: Joint liability companies (partners must be UAE nationals) Simple commandite companies An industrial or commercial type sole proprietorship Licence for home-based businesses SME licence (in Dubai). People of other nationalities (other than those of the other GCC countries) can conduct the other types of businesses. However, they need to involve a UAE national as a sponsor. The UAE national could be: A partner with at least 51 per cent ownership of the business or A local service agent (LSA), with the investor having a 100 per cent ownership of the business.

Yes, it can after maintaining a certified letter from the parent company and getting the approval of the UAE's Ministry of Economy.