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New Business Setup – Dubai

Business Setup Services

Information Verified with the provider on 07-12-2025

Jurisdiction

Dubai Department of Economic Development

Service

Business Setup

Short Description

There are various steps involved for setting up a new business in Dubai. This page explains the steps and serves as a guide for Investors, Entreprenures and Businessmen.

Check Availability

The first step in establishing business in Dubai is reserving the trade name. Check if the trade name you need is available for registration.

Our agent will perform the below checks and will get back to you shortly (Within hours generally). This is a free service and there is no cost to checking the trade name availability.

Check if trade name complies with Dubai DED guidelines

Check if the trade name is available for reservation

Check if any additional authorization is requierd (This is required if using known brand names or setting up franchise etc)

How do you wish to receive details

Step by Step guide to Business Setup in Dubai

Step 1: Pick Your Trade Name

Prepare 3–5 trade name options (follow Dubai naming rules).
Avoid offensive, political, or religious terms.
Keep the name relevant to the business activity.
Apply for trade name reservation through DED (mainland) or the respective Free Zone authority.

Trade Name Guidelines:
Do's

Relevant to business activity.
Unique and unregistered.
Can be in English, Arabic, or both.

Dont's

No offensive, obscene, or blasphemous words.
No political, religious, or sectarian references.
No well-known brand names without proof of authorization.

Step 2 : Select Your Business Activity

Match your service/product with the official activity list.
Some activities require external approvals from authorities such as:
- Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
- Dubai Municipality
- Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)
- Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA)
- Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA)
- Central Bank, Civil Aviation, Ministry of Economy, etc. (full list attached)
- Dubai Sports Council, DSC

Step 3 : Documentation

• Draft & sign MOA/MOU (Dubai Court for mainland companies).
• Arrange office lease & register Ejari (mainland only).
• Prepare required documents:
- ◦ Passport copy
- ◦ Passport-size photo
- ◦ No Objection Certificate (if applicable)

Step 4: Licensing

• Submit final documents
• Obtain the license type:
- ◦ Commercial – goods & trading
- ◦ Professional – services
- ◦ Industrial – manufacturing/production

Step 5 : Choose Your Business Structure

Secure Office Space

Mainland: Mandatory Ejari (tenancy contract).
Free Zone: Flexi-desk or office (depends on package).

Major Free Zones in Dubai

Dubai boasts more than 25 Free Zones, each tailored to specific industries, offering unique advantages such as 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and simplified setup processes.

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
Dubai Internet City (DIC)
Dubai Media City (DMC)
Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
Dubai South
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
Others:

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Business Setup

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