IFZA — International Free Zone Authority
- Company setup from
12,900 AED
Registration in 5 days
Flexi-desks, offices
IFZA is a low-cost business setup solution in Dubai, perfect for startups and SMEs involved in trading, consulting, or services.…
What is a professional license in Dubai?
A professional license in Dubai is issued for businesses that provide specialized services. Unlike commercial licenses, which focus on trading goods, professional licenses cater to service-oriented activities based on the expertise or skills of the business owner. This license type is ideal for individuals or companies offering consultancy, education, IT services, and other professional services.
Key differences from other license types include the focus on service provision rather than trading activities and the potential for unlimited liability unless the business is registered as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Also, if registered on the mainland, a company with a professional license may need a local service agent depending on the type of activity.
If you're unsure about the type of license your business needs in Dubai, start by reading our article on the differences between commercial and professional licenses. For a customized business setup solution in the UAE, approach a business consultant in Dubai.
Choosing the right type of license and business activity is crucial, as mistakes can disrupt your business journey in the UAE. These errors may hinder your ability to grow and expand your business or cause complications during the bank account opening process.
UAQ company formation process
If you are in the UAE for the first time and want to establish a company with minimal financial and time investment, UAQ is the best choice for you. No mountains of complex documents are needed - just your passport, proof of residence, and an entry permit visa are sufficient. There's no need to come and stay constantly in the free zone. You can conduct business from any part of the UAE. Personal presence is required only for sponsoring visa applications and for opening a bank account.
Determine the business activities of your future company and the corresponding license type. This is a key aspect of business setup, as choosing the wrong activity and license can lead to errors during company registration, creating problems with opening a bank account or even making such opening impossible. Every license can have up to 3 commercial activities if they are not related or 10 related ones. The consultancy segment allows 2 business activities per license.
In UAQ, you can choose from a free zone establishment (FZE), free zone company (FZC) or branch.
UAQ requires a minimal documentation package.
- your passport
- a utility bill as proof of residence
- entry stamp
Registration can be completed remotely - you don’t need to be physically present. Also you have to pay all the registration and processing fees at this step.
They are as follows:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Trade license
- Shareholder certificate
- Lease agreement
- MoA and Articles of Association
- Establishment card (contains information about your company and visa quotes)
Receive the Establishment Card containing information about your company and visa quotes. The timeframe of Establishment Card issuance is typically 3-5 working days.
If you’re outside of the UAE during the processing of the entry permit, you will need to come to the country when the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one.
You can do the medical test in Dubai - there is no need to travel to Umm Al Quwain. Note that when applying for the residence visa a medical insurance is not required in comparison to other free zones, for example DMCC.
After the residence visa is issued, the Government prepares a plastic identity card which is an important document that is required to open a bank account, rent an apartment, pay bills or fines, etc. It also entitles you to many local services and discounts.
Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. The approval may take a few weeks. After receiving the account details you can start running your business in the UAE.
With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai—the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.
UAQ license cost
This free zone offers a wide range of licenses suitable for any type of activity, whether it's trading, services, consulting, or industrial production.
| TYPE OF LICENSE | COST |
|---|---|
| 1 visa Freelance License | 8,000 AED |
| Zero-visa Trading / Service / E-commerce license + Flexi Desk | 8,000 AED |
| 2 visa General Trading license | 20,500 AED |
| 4 visa Premium license | 32,500 AED |
Each license permits a maximum of 3 unrelated commercial activities or 10 activities that are related. The consultancy as well as freelance and services segment allows 2 business activities per license.
There are various packages starting from zero visa companies, ending up with 1, 2 or 3 visa options. Even if you start with a zero visa package, it can be upgraded at any point of time. Packages can also be downgraded if you need to minimize the ongoing costs.
UAQ dual license
You can have a dual Umm Al Quwain Free Zone license - it's an unbeatable offer of UAQ Free Zone. How does it work? You get a company setup with one category license and add another license from a different category for 2,500 AED only. For example, you open a trading company and add a consultancy license to it as an additional one.
Elena O.
We'll find the ideal free zone for your business
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Emirabiz is a red carpet service worth paying for and I want to thank Helen and her team for her dedicated support and her amazing follow-through. To launch a business in UAE and get…
Hi, I am Eric, from France. I am very satisfied by the work performed for me by Emirabiz. I was based in Saudi Arabia last year and I wanted to create my Company in UAE. I did everything…
Local Consultancy is quite simply excellent at what they do and the services that they provide. Business owner Elena is completely hands on, looking after my needs as a client personally,…
Strongly recommended! I needed to setup a company in the free zone and I ended up in the right place. Natela and Natalia were super helpful in assisting me in the process from the beginning…
Amazing company to work with. Very fast and efficient. Got all of our Paperwork done and visas + Emirates IDs in a very timely manner. Princess was wonderful and always followed up with me…
It's one of the best services that I received. I keep my relationship with this company for years now. Everything from Visa or Company related matters are resolved here with a very little…
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