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Overview
Mainland Professional Sole Establishment and Civil Company Formation in the UAE is ideal for Indian professionals and service providers planning to offer consultancy and skilled services in Dubai and other Emirates. These professional companies operate based on the qualifications and expertise of their owners, ensuring the quality of services delivered to clients across the UAE.
A professional company is defined as a firm where the activities depend on the intellectual efforts and skills of its partners. For example, law firms, consultancy agencies, and design studios fall under this category. Their services are based on academic qualifications and industry experience, which is why the UAE government requires all shareholders to present valid educational credentials during the setup process.
To maintain the professional standards of companies operating in the UAE Mainland, proper licensing and procedures are mandatory. Indian entrepreneurs and professionals looking to establish such companies must follow the formal process for company formation in Dubai and other Emirates, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
The UAE continues to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals from around the world. Many multinational service firms, as well as Indian consultancy businesses, have expanded their operations by opening branches in Dubai and across the Emirates to serve a growing international clientele.
Nonetheless, the emirate has exclusive rules that guide the conduct of companies. For instance, professional service providers, including Indian entrepreneurs, can only apply for specific trade licenses. Also, the government monitors the service providers’ marketing tools such as websites and advertisement content to ensure compliance with cultural and professional conduct.
Some of the professional trade licenses necessitate the attainment of additional qualifications and examinations.
It can be 100% owned by expatriate shareholders, including Indian nationals.
A UAE national is required as a service agent.
UAE national does not hold any share in the company.
As a service agent, the UAE national receives fixed annual charges.
There is no minimum share capital requirement, which is beneficial for small and medium-sized Indian businesses.
A degree, experience, and relevant certificates for shareholders are mandatory.
For more than one shareholder, the professional companies can be formed and it is designated as a civil company.
Renting an office or shop is mandatory to set up a mainland professional company in Dubai or any other Emirate. However, in Dubai, the recent Government has allowed mainland professional companies on desk facilities (Sustainability Centers).
Some of the fields in professional companies include; management consultancy, IT consultancy, administrative services, legal consultancy, accountancy services, and educational services. To obtain a consultancy professional license in Dubai Mainland, it is mandatory to pass an exam.
The shareholder of the mainland professional company is eligible to get a residence visa valid for 3 years and can also sponsor family members subject to fulfilling document requirements, which is attractive for Indian professionals relocating to the UAE.
Any number of employees can be recruited in an LLC subject to fulfilling requirements from the Labour department.