Step 1 – Choose a business activity

Dubai Development of Economic Department has the available list of permitted business activities. Simply choose the one that best suits your business, ask help from an expert in company formation to help you decide which kind of company that is appropriate for you.

Step 2 – Reserve your company name

In this step, you need to keep it in mind that it is forbidden to use offensive words, company names cannot contain religious references, or if you are using your personal name for your company- you are required to provide your both first name and last name. After you decide what will be your company name. You can now proceed to the next step.

Step 3 – Apply for Initial Approval

Once your company name is approved, you need to apply for an Initial Approval Certificate from Dubai Department of Economic Department (DED) that states that DED has no objection to you starting your Limited Liability Company (LLC). Your company will receive an entry from Commercial Registry once you get an approval. You need to get an approval for your business that will ensures you that you can continue to the next step. This is very important step.

Step 4 – MoA & LSA Agreement should be prepared

To formalize your Dubai LLC, you and your business partners need to draft and sign a Memorandum of Association (MOA). This MOA needs to be a formal translation, and needs to be attested by a Notary Public. As mentioned, for a professional service license you must sign a Local Service Agent (LSA) / Corporate Agent agreement with a UAE national. He will represent your business with regards to licensing and compliance, but has no further control or ownership. Potential side agreements can now be signed and attested as well. Please take note that the Emirati or UEA national will get 51 percent (%) of the shares. The 49 percent (%) will be among the foreign shareholders.

Step 5 – Find the perfect location for your company

One of the requirement for LLC company formation in Dubai is to have a business office. But the good thing about Dubai LLC is that it allows you to locate your office space any inspiring location throughout UAE. Once you found your perfect location, you need to get your rental contract attested by Ejari, the mandatory registry of tenancy contracts. To register with Ejari, take your initial approval certificate and other documents required by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to any authorized service center. For ordering the trade license. An attested rental contract is necessary.

Step 6 – Collect Your Trade License

After completing the steps above, you need to submit all the documents to the Dubai Economic Department. You need to make sure you attach all the required documents from the previous steps. If you met all requirements you’ll get a Trade License, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, and Share Certificates of your company.

Step 7 – After You Started Your Business

Congratulation! Your Dubai LLC is now organized. But before you celebrate, you still need to comply for the following:

1. You need to fit out your office.
2. You must register your employees with the ministry of Labour and General Authority for Pension and Social Security.
3. Processing visas, labor cards and other legal documents.
4. The LLC’s MoA is then published in the Bulletin of the Economy and Commerce Ministry.
5. A bank account needs to be opened.