Business setup made simple

Over 35,000-plus new businesses launch in the UAE every year.
But to us, each one is unique.
Are you ready to join them?

Trade License Zone offers full service company setup from licensing to launch, tailored to your specific needs.
Our service is as simple as 1 – 2 – 3.

✔ FREE ZONE OR MAINLAND

We’ll help you choose the setup that’s best for you – free zone or mainland.


✔ MANAGE EVERY STEP

We’ll manage every step of your license application, liaising with all government and free zone authorities on your behalf.

✔ BANK ACCOUNT & VISAS

With your license secured, we’ll help you apply for your corporate bank account and any visas you may need.

Set up your business in Dubai and the wider UAE with Trade License Zone

Thousands of new businesses start up or relocate to the UAE every – and with very good reason. The Emirates has a long-standing reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious business hubs thanks to its excellent trading location, open working environment and incredibly low tax regime. And the team at Trade License Zone are always on hand to help businesses get off to the best possible start. We’re passionate about new beginnings and giving entrepreneurs setting up a business in Dubai everything they need to launch, grow and thrive.

Our international team understand that you are a unique individual and so is your business. That’s why we offer bespoke and tailored company formation services built around your specific needs. No off the peg, no one size fits all. We offer all-round support from the moment you start working with us, right up until the end of the process. Whatever may be holding you back from starting your enterprise, we’re here to help you overcome it – and make your business dreams a reality.

Ours is a one-stop shop for business setup in the UAE. Our driving aim is to provide practical and accurate advice while keeping it all simple for you. We make the business setup process efficient and effective. After an initial consultation to get to know your business and its requirements, we’ll take care of the rest, managing the entire application process. With your business set up and beyond we are on hand to offer a range of business support services and solutions.

We’re proud of our journey and we’re excited to put our experience to work to help you get up and running in the UAE.  You’ll have a presence in the Middle East and can make your mark on the region with a partner that knows the industry and environment inside out.  We go much further than the extra mile. As your fully hands-on partner, we’ll manage your company incorporation from start to finish – literally. From dealing with visa processing, registration and trade licenses to office setup and appropriate guidance with corporate bank account opening, you don’t have to stress about a thing. That means you can focus on what you do best: running your business.

And our flexible service doesn’t end there. In line with our ethos that every company is different, we’ll hatch a bespoke plan to cater to the individual needs of you and your business. Your dedicated business setup consultant will develop a package to ensure your company incorporation is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.

Once your company setup is complete, we want you to know that you can call on us any time for virtual office assistance, marketing and media advice, e-commerce solutions and a range of other consultancy services. Just ask and we’ll be right there with you – your trusted partner for all things relating to business setup in Dubai.

Why work with Trade License Zone?

Personal

Ours is a personal service – and it all starts with a face-to-face consultation. We’ll take the time to get to know you and your business before advising on the setup best-suited to your needs.

Expertise

We are business setup experts delivering the difference you often hear about but seldom experience. We understand exactly what it takes to establish a business in the UAE because we’ve done it ourselves.

Dedicated

When you work with Trade License Zone, you’ll be appointed a dedicated business setup consultant, on hand to assist you throughout the application process and beyond.

Support

Directly and through carefully vetted partners, we offer a variety of additional support services – including office, reception, address and mail management to name a few – designed to help your business grow.

Your simple step-by-step guide to business setup in Dubai

Setting up a business in Dubai can be a complex and daunting process, particularly for those new to the region. As your expert partner, Trade License Zone can help save you time, money and worry. Below is a simple overview of the process covering everything from document preparation to settling into your new office.

Personalised Consultation

First and foremost, it is essential to thoroughly understand your requirements, not just for the incorporation but for your medium- and long-term plans related to growth and other factors. After considering all important elements, we will to provide you with multiple options to consider, taking care of present and future needs.

Outlining your business activities

Before applying for your UAE trade license, we will work with you to outline your business activities. This is because the activities you wish to undertake will determine the jurisdiction, license and setup type that’s right for you. We’re on hand to advise on this process as it is vital that your chosen activities align with the lists published by the UAE’s various jurisdictions and Department of Economic Development. As there are thousands to choose from, we are sure to find activities that match with your intended business operations.

Applying for your business license

Any business operating in the UAE requires a trade license. Once again, the license you need will depend on the type of business you wish to operate. There are many options available from professional services and commercial licenses to e-commerce, industrial and more. At this stage, we’ll also take the time to understand your business and its requirements before advising on the most suitable setup in a UAE free zone or the mainland.

As part of this process, you will need to submit your prepared documents along with a completed application form. We’ll manage this process for you, liaising with all relevant authorities on your behalf to ensure a fast and hassle-free experience.

Preparing your documents

Next, we’ll help you ensure that your required paperwork is in order. Tackling this step will help to reduce unnecessary delays that can complicate the process or deliver ultimately inaccurate documentation. The documents you need will vary depending on the nature and location of your business. But in most cases, you should expect to submit visa and passport copies.

Arrange your residency visa

To work and live in the UAE, you’ll need a UAE residency visa. This is a multi-step process from entry permits to visa stamping. To obtain a UAE visa, you will need to undergo a medical fitness test, including chest X-ray and blood test. At this stage you will also need to apply for your Emirates ID. This is a compulsory requirement for all residents and is needed to access vital services throughout the country.

Set up your corporate bank account

To send and receive payments in the UAE, you will require a corporate bank account. This is not always the easiest of processes, but Trade License Zone is always on hand to assist and guide. We can advise on the institution most suited to your needs and arrange introductions with banking officials if required. With your bank account open, you are up and running, ready to trade in the UAE and globally.

Find your perfect office space

If you need premises for your business, we can help here, too. While it’s possible to start a business out here with a virtual office or flexi desk service, there are plenty of options available beyond that. From warehousing and storage to shell and furnished offices, the ideal home for your enterprise is never far away.

Whether you wish to set up on the mainland or in one of the UAE’s many free zones, we’ll help you find the perfect base for your business operation to thrive.

What are you waiting for?
The time to start your UAE business is now.

Fast-track your path to business success with the expert and personalised services of Trade License Zone.

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Frequently asked questions

With the help of the team at Trade License Zone, starting a business in Dubai is a fast, affordable and hassle-free process. First, we’ll help you tackle the initial administration. This entails outlining your business activities to align with those permitted by the various jurisdictions and selecting a company name that complies with UAE naming conventions.

At this stage we will also help you pull together all required documents to ensure that your application is correct and complete before submission. Once we’re confident that everything is in order, we will manage your UAE trade license application. Whether you are applying to set up in the mainland or a UAE free zone, we can liaise with all relevant authorities and industry bodies on your behalf to facilitate a fast and smooth formation process. We can also help you apply for any additional permits and approvals that may be required depending on the nature of your business.

Once we have helped you obtain your license, we will also help manage your immigration services, visa application and any applications to sponsor the visas of your dependents such as a spouse, children or domestic staff. Finally, we will help you find the most appropriate financial institution and open a UAE corporate bank account so you can freely make and receive payments.

All that’s left to do is give you the green light to start trading – and remain on hand to help you thrive and grow here in Dubai.

The UAE visa application process consists of four key stages. These are:

Entry permit – First we’ll help you apply for your entry permit. This is a temporary visa that will allow you to enter and/or stay in the UAE for up to 60 days. While you are permitted to leave the UAE during this period, we advise against this as it may cause difficulties with immigration later in the process.

Status change – The next step is to activate your entry permit via a process known as a status change. This can be done in three ways. You may opt for an in-country status change which requires you to send your passport to immigration services who will stamp and activate your permit.

Another option is an out-of-country status change. Here you would receive your entry permit while outside the UAE and then have it stamped and activated by immigration when you enter the country.

Medical test – Once you have activated your entry permit, you will need to undergo a medical fitness test. This typically involves a blood test and chest X-ray. Following this, you can apply for your Emirates ID which requires the collection of biometrics such as fingerprint and iris scans.


Visa stamping – The final step in the UAE visa process is stamping. To complete this step, you must submit your passport to UAE immigration. They will affix and stamp the visa in the passport before sending it back. This process usually takes around two weeks.

You are required to submit documentation at several stages during the UAE company formation process and they may vary in line with the specific jurisdiction selected. To obtain your initial approval to form a new company, you are required to provide the following, according to the official UAE government portal:

  • Completed application form
  • Coloured passport copies of the company's shareholder/s and the appointed Manager for the new company
  • Specimen signature of the company's shareholder/s and the appointed Manager for the new company
 

At this stage, freelancers are required to submit fewer documents, including:

  • Application for registration
  • CV
  • Bank reference letter
 

The expert team at Trade License Zone can help you pull together the required documentation and ensure that it is all in order before submission, to ensure a fast and hassle-free process.

There are many incredible benefits to starting a new business in the UAE. Perhaps the most well-known is the country’s low tax environment. Both the personal and corporate income tax rates remain at 0% while VAT is also low at a flat 5%.

The UAE is also home to a famously fast, time-tested and straightforward company formation process. With the right support, you could be fully licensed and ready to trade within a week.

UAE free zones also offer many benefits on top these, such as 100% customs tax exemption, zero currency requirements and profit and capital repatriation. All alongside a welcoming and supportive environment for entrepreneurs from every corner of the globe. Many incubators, accelerators and business support schemes can be found in free zones and the mainland to help businesses thrive in this part of the world.

The country’s geographic location is another major plus for businesses setting up here. Positioned at the heart of the Middle East, it is perfectly placed for trade within the region and beyond to Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Many people relocate here for personal reasons, too. As well as being an amazing place to start a new venture, the UAE also regularly ranks highly for quality of life and personal safety, making it a great place to live for individuals and families alike. It is also often cited as the most politically and economically stable county in the Middle East.

The length of time it may take to start your business in Dubai will depend on many factors. Your nationality, setup type, selected jurisdiction and the nature of your business can all have an impact on the process.

It is often the case that setting up in a free zone is faster than launching a new venture in the mainland. For instance, when setting up a service-based business like a consultancy with a free zone license, it can take between one and seven working days. That’s assuming that all required documents are in order and submitted on time, of course.

However, when setting up a restaurant, café, or shop, you will require additional permits from government bodies and mainland authorities which can slow the process. In this case, it is not unusual for company formation to take up to 30 days depending on the number and nature of the permits involved.

In any case, whatever your business and wherever you wish to set up, you should first work with Trade License Zone to determine the fastest and easiest way to obtain your trade license. We will take the time to understand your needs before advising and supporting you in finding the best path forward.​

Ready to get started?

Call us on +971 4 429 5888

or email hello@tlz.ae

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Trade License Zone support services

At Trade License Zone, we don’t just make business setup simple. We’re also on hand to assist with a wide range of support services, from assistance with visas and entry permits to office solutions and accounting.

TLZ OFFICE

Trade License Zone can help you find and settle into your perfect business premises. Whether you’re looking for a co-working shared desk facility or a private furnished office, we’ve got a setup to suit your needs.

TLZ ADDRESS

Your business address is more than a matter of location. The right address can send a message to customers and competitors alike. Our prestigious virtual addresses can help you make the perfect first impression without the expense of leasing physical premises.

TLZ RECEPTIONIST

Professional phone answering by a dedicated receptionist is no longer just a luxury. At Trade License Zone it is available to all our clients. Securing a landline telephone number not only allows your customers to get in contact with you, but also presents a slick, professional front to your audience.

TLZ TAX & ACCOUNTING

TLZ Tax & Accounting is on standby to address all your accounting, auditing, tax and VAT requirements, so you can focus on what matters most – growing your business. Our highly qualified team of experts are well versed and looking forward to discussing a tailored solution specific to your business, no matter what the size.

TLZ ADVISORY

At TLZ Advisory, we help our clients protect and grow their business and wealth with careful planning and advice. Our experts have many years of experience across multiple fields including Tax, Wealth, Trusts, Technology, Finance and Commerce.

TLZ START-UP PARTNERS

While our main function and focus is business setup, we understand that for the new entrepreneur this is only the start of the journey. Once we have successfully helped with the initial company setup, we then see it as our very important duty to create an environment of support for new business owners and entrepreneurs.

TLZ AGENCY

Activate Digital is a turnkey Communications Agency, originating from Cyprus-born, integrated marketing and communications agency, Brain Cube Communications, who joined forces with Dubai’s Trade License Zone. Enter the fascinating world of Branding, Web, Content, Video, Visuals, Mobile, Information, Creativity and Unique ideas that is Activate Digital.

eborderless.com

eBorderless.com brings together a 360-degree solution through partnerships and is the ultimate all-in-one package for e-commerce startups in the UAE – with everything you need to get your e-commerce venture off to a flying start.

Trade License Zone offers full service company setup from licensing to launch, tailored to your specific needs.

The process of setting up or relocating a company in Dubai has been designed with simplicity in mind. However, it does take some in-depth knowledge of the UAE and its many customs and regulations.

That’s why it’s always advisable to acquire the services of a business setup expert who can not only advise on the process but also seek out the most suitable license and setup type for your business, based on your needs and your budget. Trade License Zone is one of the UAE’s fastest-growing business setup specialists, with an unwavering focus on transparency and service excellence. Based in Dubai, our team operates from two branches – one in Jumeirah Lake Towers (HQ) and another in Dubai Media City.

When you work with us, you gain peace of mind that your license and visa applications are free from errors and omissions – both of which can lead to delays and rejection. Our experts can assist with free zone, mainland and offshore license setup and visa applications as well as a range of other business support services. We also offer a full suite of office solutions, including co-working space, dedicated fully furnished offices, meeting room facilities, reception management and a number of other associated services.

To get started, all you need to provide is some basic documentation and a little information about the nature of your business. Then, sit back and let the experts take care of the rest – managing your license and visa applications, communicating with all relevant departments and authorities, and reporting back when you’re ready to start trading. It really is that simple.

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