A business owned by one person, who is personally liable for all financial obligations and liabilities incurred by the business.
A business entity in which partners' liability is limited to their capital share. A Limited Liability Company can be established and owned by a UAE national or any other individual or company, regardless of nationality, and can have multiple partners, up to 50.
This involves two or more partners who are jointly and separately liable for the company’s obligations using their personal funds.
A company formed of one or more general partners who have joint and separate liability, or one or more limited partners who have limited liability proportional to their capital shares.
A company of this type has up to 200 shareholders with an equal division of capital into nominal value shares. It can be established and owned by one legal person (company), and its shares cannot be publicly offered.
A company with capital divided into equal negotiable shares, where the founders subscribe to a portion of such shares, while the remainder is offered to the public through a public offering.
A branch office is an extension of a foreign or local company, allowing it to operate in the UAE under its existing name and structure. The parent company is fully responsible for the branch’s liabilities
Similar to a branch, but focused on promoting the parent company’s products and services rather than conducting direct commercial activities.
This is a company owned by two or more partners practising a professional activity such as tailors, beauty salons, consultancy or training, etc.
Allows a company to do business activities under public trading, hospitals, clinics, construction, real estate, and other related activities.
Issued to companies that plan to open a manufacturing company in Abu Dhabi.
This license is issued to companies with employees who are providing service for a particular craft. This includes carpentry, steelwork, and other artisanal-related activities.
This license is given to entrepreneurs who wish to operate in the travel and tourism sector of the UAE including hotels and travel agencies. The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority issues this license.
Covers all types of business structures and activities Office/Facility: Required
Enables businesses based in UAE Free Zones to open a branch in Dubai
Office/Facility:
May be required based on the activity
License for specific commercial activities that does not require physical premises to start.
The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism reviews your trade licence application and documents, and gives initial approval for your business to be established in the jurisdiction. Initial approval allows you to proceed with the next step, such as securing business premises.
You must now register your trade name, business activity and company structure; you can also reserve your trade name before the initial approval is granted. Dubai has specific rules to follow for selected a trade name.
After initial approval, you must:
• Submit the initial approval receipt
• Submit a duly attested memorandum of association (MoA)
- If the company is an LLC, one-person company or a civil company, the DET will issue the MoA
- For all other legal forms of company, a Notary can issue the MoA
• Apply for and receive approval from other government entities, if required
• Submit a duly attested service agent contract (for civil establishments and companies 100% owned by non-GCC nationals) if it involves a local service agent
After completing this process, you will receive your business licence.
