Steps Required to Set Up a Business Prior to operating any business in Dubai, the steps outlined below must be undertaken in order to meet the legal requirements of all concerned government authorities and to guarantee maximum commercial benefit for the business owner:

1. Determine the category/categories (commercial, industrial and/or professional) and type of business activity/activities to be practiced. Please press here to review a list of all licensed business activities within the Emirate of Dubai.

2. Determine all the related business activities that can be included within each business license, subject to a maximum of ten activities per license. Please press here to review a list of groups related business activities.

3. Determine the appropriate business legal form for your business taking into consideration the desired business activity/activities and the number and nationalities of the business owners and please press here to view the terms and conditions for conducting business in Dubai. Please press here to review a list of different legal forms and their details.

4. Confirm all the requirements of the license to be issued, please press here to view the list of required documents.

5. Determine the trade name of the business. Review the terms and conditions for the selection and approval of trade names.

6. Submit an application to the Department for an initial approval either by a personal visit to the Department Offices or through the Internet, a document clearing service or a legal consultant's office.

7. Register a trade name after obtaining an initial approval either by a personal visit to the Department Offices or through the Internet, a document clearing service or a legal consultant's office (If you have previously reserved a trade name, you can proceed to register it with an initial approval by use of the record number).

8. Lease business premises (it is recommended that you contact the counter of the Planning Department of Dubai Municipality on Telephone Number 2020105or on Dubai Municipality's Telephone Number 2063788, before leasing premises in order to verify that it is suitable for the business). Thereafter you can visit the said Department's counter on the building's first floor for approval of the premises.

9. Prepare all required documents such as Memorandum of Association and other contracts such as the appointment of local service agent which has to be authenticated by the Notary Public and approvals of other relevant government authorities, which are necessary in each case. For example, to carry on media activities, an approval issued by the Ministry of Information and Culture is required. Please press here to view forms of applications or contracts as a guide, and press here to view a list of activities requiring other authority approvals. Such documents can be mailed to us if you have paid the due fees directly through the "Internet".

10. Submit an application to the Department to obtain a final license. Applications can be submitted through a document clearing service or a legal consultant's office.

11. Pay the required fees and to have a license issued, please press here to view a list of fees.

12. Submit an application to the Department for a signboard permit for a business trade name as required by the economic regulations. However, office premises would be an exception to this.

13. Obtain necessary connections for telephone, fax and Internet services, an application must be submitted to "Emirates Communications Corporation". Please visit the said Corporation’s website at www.etisalat.co.ae

14. To obtain a special P.O. box for an establishment, an application must be applied to the "General Postal Authority". You may visit the said Authority’s website at www.gpa.gov.ae.

15. Obtain necessary work permits for business employees and management, an application must be submitted to both the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Department of Naturalization and Residence. For more information you may visit the Department of Naturalization and Residence website at www.dnrd.gov.ae, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

16. Register a trade mark or a commercial agency, you must refer to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. You may visit the said Ministry's website at www.economy.gov.ae.

17. If you wish to conduct a promotional campaign or a commercial offer, or if you wish to carry out an activity after official working hours or additional activities etc., an application must be submitted to the Department for the necessary permit. Please press here to view kinds of commercial permits and requirements.

18. If you wish to conduct a "sale" (price reduction) event for goods sold at your shop, please contact Dubai Municipality to obtain the necessary permits.

19. If you wish to conduct a promotional campaign or a commercial offer, or if you wish to carry out an activity after official working hours or additional activities etc., an application must be submitted to the Department for the necessary permit. Please view kinds of commercial permits and requirements.

20. If you wish to arrange a reduction "sale" on goods sold at your shop, please contact Dubai Municipality to obtain the necessary permit.