Business Setup In UAE

How to Start a Business in Dubai, UAE?

Business Setup for Indians

Thinking of setting up a business in UAE from India? You are not alone. Many Indians entrepreneurs look to the UAE for its tax benefits and global opportunities. But before you start, there’s a lot to consider: free zone vs mainland, costs, business type, office space, legal requirements. Our experts will guide you step by step through the UAE company formation process, help you choose the right option, save on setup costs and make your business launch smooth and stress free.

Complete Setup Services for Indian Businesses           

We offer complete business setup services for Indian companies and individuals looking to expand in the UAE. Whether you are a startup or an established firm, we will help you enter the UAE market quickly and meet all legal and business requirements. From selecting the best free zone to registering your company, we will handle it all so you can focus on growing your business and reaching new clients in UAE and beyond.

Company Formation Options in UAE

Indian investors can choose from three options to set up a company in UAE: mainland (onshore), free zones (tax friendly and flexible) or offshore (ideal for global trade). Our team will help you decide the best location and structure for your business, making UAE company formation easy and hassle free for Indian entrepreneurs.

Why Set up a Business in Dubai, UAE?

             

Starting a business in Dubai from India has become much easier with new rules to help foreign investors. For Indian entrepreneurs, Dubai offers long term visas, full foreign ownership and free zones to make starting a business easy and profitable. Whether you are starting a new venture or expanding your services, Dubai’s business friendly rules makes it one of the best places for Indian investors.

Dubai has become a major trade and business hub not just for the Middle East but globally. Ranked 15th in the world’s top business hubs, UAE has no tax, excellent infrastructure and a booming financial sector. For Indian businesses looking to go global, Dubai is the perfect gateway with strong connections to international markets.

 

Situated between India, Europe and Africa, Dubai offers unparalleled access to global markets. Its well connected infrastructure makes it easy for Indian companies to trade across continents. For Indian businesses looking to go global, Dubai is the perfect platform to reach customers across multiple geographies

While oil was the backbone, Dubai’s economy is now diversified across tourism, finance, real estate and technology. Over the years the government has created a business friendly reputation by introducing regulations that help foreign investors including Indians to enter different sectors with ease

UAE’s foreign direct investment (FDI) law passed in 2018 allows 100% foreign ownership making it easier for Indian businesses to set up and operate in Dubai. In fact Dubai attracted over $10 billion in FDI last year and is a favourite among global and Indian investors. With such open policies Dubai is the top destination for Indian business owners.

How to Start a Business in Dubai, UAE

Looking to start a business in UAE from India? Now is the time. With UAE’s strong economy, investor friendly policies and rapid growth more Indian entrepreneurs are setting up business in Dubai and other Emirates.

Setting up a company in UAE is quick and easy. You can choose between mainland or free zone setups, both offering 0% income tax, 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits. Free zones are more popular among Indian investors for their flexibility and ease of entry.

Though the process may seem complex at first, with the right guidance it’s simple. We help Indian business owners through every step — from choosing the right jurisdiction to getting licensed. We break it down into six simple steps to help you get started with confidence.

1

Choose Your Business

First step is to decide what business you want to start. This will determine the best UAE free zone for you. For Indian businesses in media, healthcare, logistics or exports, choosing a free zone near airports or ports can be very beneficial — especially if your business involves imports and exports.

2

Choose your company name

Choose a company name that follows UAE naming guidelines. Avoid names that are offensive or religious and stay away from names of political groups. If you’re naming the business after a person, make sure to use the full name — not initials or abbreviations.

3

Fill Incorporation Papers

To register your UAE company, you’ll need documents like passport copies of shareholders, business name and activity details. Some free zones may also require a business plan or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your sponsor in India. Our team helps Indian entrepreneurs with this paperwork.

4

Get Your UAE Business License

Once your application is processed—you'll receive your UAE business license. We'll be in touch as soon as your documents are ready for pickup. For Indian entrepreneurs, our local expertise really shines in this step.

5

Open a UAE Bank Account

After you're licensed, you can open a corporate bank account in the UAE. We connect Indian business owners with the best financial institutions—Emirates NBD, ADCB and the Commercial Bank of Dubai among them. We help you choose the right one for your business needs.

6

Apply for Your UAE Visa

The final step is applying for your UAE residency visa. Most free zones let you apply for yourself, your employees and dependents. That involves an entry permit, medical check, Emirates ID and stamping. We guide Indian applicants through every step of that process to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Business Legal Structures in the UAE

Like any other country, the UAE has various business structures. Choosing the right structure is important as it affects ownership rights, liability protection and operational capabilities in the UAE market.

Sole Proprietorship

This type of company is 100% owned by one person – meaning they control the company and the profits. All nationalities including Indian citizens can set up a sole proprietorship company in the UAE but only UAE and GCC nationals can set up a commercial or industrial company.

Civil Company

Civil companies in the UAE can do business in certain professions like doctors, accountants, lawyers etc. A civil company must have at least 51% of the business owned by an Emirati national. Indian professionals looking to set up in the UAE must have a local partner accordingly.

 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A Limited Liability Company can have 2 to 50 shareholders – meaning each shareholder is liable up to their share percentage. Profits and losses are divided among shareholders based on their holding. As per UAE laws 51% must be owned by a UAE national. If there are more than 7 partners the company must have a board of directors with at least 3 shareholders.

Branch of a Foreign Company

A foreign company including Indian entities can set up a branch office in the UAE. In this case the company is 100% owned by the parent company. However raw materials must be imported through a local trading company as per UAE compliance rules.

 

Free Zone Company

A Free Zone company can have 2 to 5 shareholders. While there are many benefits of setting up a company in UAE Free Zones – 100% foreign ownership and tax benefits – Indian investors should note that these companies cannot sell to the UAE mainland market. To do so they will need to appoint a local distributor or agent which may impact the overall business setup plan.

Freelancers

It’s surprisingly easy to set up a freelance company in the UAE. Indian freelancers can set up in a Free Zone by submitting an application, CV, bank reference letter and a completed Registry Identification Code Form (notarized). Once these documents are approved you will get the freelance license and you will also be eligible to apply for UAE residence visa at this stage.

Where to Start a Business in Dubai for Indian Entrepreneurs?

Thanks to the free zones, starting a business in Dubai from India can take less than a week with the right guidance. Our Dubai based company formation experts will guide you through each step of the process. Whether it’s choosing the right free zone or managing paperwork, we will ensure you are compliant and don’t face any delays. We will also coordinate with UAE government departments to prevent any issues before they arise.

Expo 2020

Expo 2020

Although concluded, Expo 2020 has left a lasting legacy in Dubai, with over 25 million visitors and international attention on the city. This has made Dubai a hub for innovation and business and new opportunities for Indian investors across 15+ sectors.

Long term visas

Long Term Visas

Dubai’s new long term visa policies make it easier for Indian entrepreneurs and business owners to get residency. These investor friendly regulations allow you to run your business with peace of mind and enjoy one of the most stable and secure financial environments in the world.

Silk road strategy

Silk Road Strategy

Dubai’s Silk Road Strategy aims to strengthen trade routes across Asia, Middle East and beyond—offering a golden opportunity for Indian exporters and logistics companies. With enhanced sea and air connectivity, the city is strategically located as a gateway between India and global markets.

Why Choose Us

With our extensive network of contacts across government departments and free zones, we ensure your business setup journey is smooth and hassle-free.

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How can we help you?

Let us help! Our experienced staff and business consultants know exactly how to guide you through the UAE business setup process.

Call +971 4 4542366 Email info@flyingcolour.com

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on various factors such as type of license, jurisdiction (Mainland or Free Zone), office space requirements and additional services. For Indian entrepreneurs, the cost of setting up a business in UAE starts from AED 20,000 and can go up based on your business activity and approvals required.

Several sectors are ideal for Indian investors including ecommerce, digital marketing, IT services, tourism and hospitality, healthcare and renewable energy. These sectors align well with Indian businesses and have high growth potential in the UAE market.

Cost of forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in UAE is around AED 20,000* to AED 30,000*. However costs may vary based on industry, number of shareholders and specific approvals required for Indian nationals.

Minimum investment varies based on business structure and jurisdiction. For Indian investors:
1. Mainland: AED 18,000* for service based; AED 35,000* for trading companies.
2. Free Zone: Starts from AED 13,000* depending on the Free Zone.

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is one of the most affordable Free Zones, offering business setup packages from AED 5,750* approximately—making it a preferred choice for Indian startups and freelancers.

Yes, every business, big or small, needs a trade license to operate in UAE even for Indian owned micro and small enterprises.

Yes, Indian nationals can fully own their companies in many UAE jurisdictions, especially Free Zones and select Mainland sectors, thanks to laws allowing 100% foreign ownership.

Start with an executive summary, company description and market analysis relevant to UAE. Include your marketing, operational and financial plans. Indian investors should also consider UAE specific compliance, visa options and cultural factors in their strategy.

The main business types are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Corporation. Indian investors usually opt for LLC or Free Zone companies depending on their target market.

Choose your business activity, decide on the legal structure, reserve a trade name, apply for the license and get the necessary approvals. Flyingcolour® can help Indian entrepreneurs with the entire setup process.