外国投资者在迪拜创业

A foreign national can establish a company 在迪拜 as an individual shareholder or through an overseas corporate shareholder, subject to the requirements applicable to the selected activity and legal structure.

Many Mainland and 自由区 businesses can be wholly foreign-owned. Nevertheless, ownership rules should be checked against the exact activity because strategically significant and specially regulated sectors may be subject to different conditions. The 阿联酋 Government confirms that full foreign ownership is available for eligible commercial companies, while activity-specific restrictions may continue to apply. 阿联酋 Government guidance on foreign ownership

The normal 流程 involves:

具体程序取决于活动、股东、管辖区、场所、监管机关和所需签证数量。

迪拜被创业者用于多种不同目的。有些希望服务 阿联酋 内客户。另一些设立区域总部、国际贸易业务、专业咨询、科技公司、电商平台或控股结构。

Its appeal is supported by:

These advantages 不 mean every 迪拜 structure suitable for every investor。Commercial purpose 须 guide setup decision。

许多外国投资者可以 100% 拥有 Mainland 或 自由区 公司，而无需指定 阿联酋 国民股东。

这与历史上某些 Mainland 公司通常需要 阿联酋 国民 majority 持股的立场相比是重要变化。现行框架允许在许多活动中完全外资持股，但战略性重要或受监管活动可能适用例外和附加条件。

Investors should therefore avoid assuming that one ownership rule applies universally. Before incorporation, the proposed activity should be checked for:

A compliant structure should be confirmed before paying 执照, office or incorporation expenses.

Choosing between a 迪拜 Mainland company and a 自由区 company is one of the most important decisions for a foreign investor.

Neither option is automatically better. The correct choice depends on where the business will operate, who its customers will be, what activities it will perform, how it will distribute products, how many employees it requires and whether it needs specialised facilities.

A Mainland company is licensed through 迪拜's competent economic licensing authority and is generally intended for businesses that require broad access to the 阿联酋 market.

迪拜's official investment platform allows investors to search available business activities, review legal forms and apply for a 商业执照. Invest 在迪拜 also provides an official business-activity search facility for categories including trading, services, 承包, 制造业 and hospitality. Search 迪拜 business activities

A 自由区 company is established within a designated economic zone governed by its own licensing authority.

Free Zones may be suitable for:

Certain Free Zones specialise in particular industries and offer sector-specific facilities, regulatory environments or business communities.

Before selecting a 自由区, investors should confirm:

低成本许可证在整个运营期内不一定是成本最低的商业结构。

A company serving 阿联酋 consumers directly may need a different structure from one providing international services.

Some activities are available through multiple jurisdictions, while others are limited to specific 主管部门 or require external approvals.

A consultancy may be able to use a flexible workspace, while a restaurant, warehouse, clinic, school or 制造业 facility requires approved physical premises.

Visa capacity can depend on the jurisdiction, facility, 执照 package and premises size.

Banks consider the substance, ownership, activity, expected turnover, customer base, source of funds and geographic exposure of the business.

A 自由区 执照 does not automatically make all company income exempt from 企业所得税. The tax treatment depends on the company's status, income, transactions and 合规 with the relevant conditions.

A structure suitable for a solo consultant may become restrictive when the business begins hiring, importing products or entering regulated contracts.

Planning a 迪拜 business? KPM Global Services can assess your activity, market, visa needs and operational model before recommending a suitable jurisdiction.

The activity stated on the 执照 determines what the company is legally authorised to do.

This selection can affect:

Examples of broad activity groups include:

Investors should describe the actual business model, rather than selecting a broad activity based only on the 执照 price. The 执照 must support the real services, products and revenue streams.

Compatible activities 有时可 placed under one 执照，但 approval depends on licensing authority 和 relationship between activities。

Combining unrelated or differently regulated activities may require:

例如，管理咨询、产品贸易、医疗服务和建筑承包涉及不同的监管和运营风险。在未确认许可机关允许拟议安排前，不应合并这些活动。

The available legal form depends on the jurisdiction, ownership arrangement and activity. Potential structures include:

For many foreign-owned operational businesses, a limited liability structure may offer a practical separation between the company and its shareholder. However, limited liability is not an excuse for unlawful conduct, personal guarantees, regulatory breaches or improper management.

外国投资者可 personally 设立公司，或在管辖区和法律形式允许时使用现有 overseas company 作为 shareholder。

A corporate-shareholder structure may be useful for:

Foreign corporate 文件 可能 require notarisation、 legalisation、 attestation 和 Arabic translation， depending on authority 和 country of issue。

拟议商号须符合适用的命名规则并获得许可机关批准。

The name should:

Trade-name approval 与 trademark registration 不同。Planning to build valuable brand 的 investors 应 separately consider trademark protection。

初步批准通常确认主管机关不反对投资者继续拟议设立，但并非总是等于可以开始经营。

所需文件取决于所选法律形式以及股东是个人还是公司。

Standard economic 执照 不足以涵盖 every activity。Certain sectors 在 执照签发 前后 require approval from another government body 或 professional regulator。

Additional approval may be required for businesses involving:

主管监管机构可能审查资质、商业计划、技术人员、财务资源、经营场所、政策、系统或股东适格性。

Possible arrangements include:

A Mainland company requiring physical premises may need a valid tenancy arrangement and property registration, commonly associated with Ejari 在迪拜. Additional municipality, Civil Defence or sector inspections may apply.

Before signing a long-term lease, verify:

Signing an unsuitable lease can create major delays and additional expense.

Requirements vary, but a foreign individual commonly needs:

The passport should be valid and personal details should be consistent across all applications.

Identify the products or services, target customers, operating locations, revenue model, staffing needs and expected transactions.

Match every material revenue stream to an authorised activity. Determine whether any activity is restricted or externally regulated.

Evaluate Mainland and suitable Free Zones based on market access, facilities, visas, banking, 合规, cost and future expansion.

Select the legal form and decide whether ownership will be personal, corporate or shared with business partners.

Draft and sign the 公司章程（MOA）, resolutions or other establishment 文件.

Select a workspace or facility that satisfies licensing, visa and operational requirements.

Submit the completed application and pay the applicable government and facility charges.

Obtain the immigration establishment record or card required for company-sponsored residence processing. ICP describes the Establishment Card as the electronic record containing information such as the 商号, 执照 number, partners and 业务活动. ICP establishment services

Where required and eligible, complete entry-status, medical fitness, biometric, Emirates ID and residence procedures.

Prepare a comprehensive banking file demonstrating genuine commercial purpose and transparent ownership.

Assess 登记截止日期 and obligations immediately after incorporation.

Establish invoicing, bookkeeping, payroll, document retention, tax calendars and regulatory policies before commencing substantial transactions.

How Long Does It Take?

A straightforward non-regulated 执照 may be issued comparatively quickly once the 文件 and approvals are complete. However, no universal 时间表 applies.

The total period can be affected by:

执照签发 and bank-account opening are separate processes. A 执照 may be obtained before the bank completes its 合规 review.

The total setup cost depends on the actual structure and should not be calculated from the 执照 fee alone.

Potential components include:

Promotional packages may exclude visas, Establishment 登记, refundable deposits, 移民服务, facilities or later 合规 expenses. Investors should request an itemised quotation based on the intended activity and operational requirements.

在许多情况下，外国股东仅为了拥有迪拜公司并不需要成为 阿联酋 居民。然而，实际考虑因素仍然存在。

Non-resident ownership may affect:

Company 执照 不 automatically make shareholder 阿联酋 tax resident。Personal 和 企业所得税-residency questions require separate analysis。

A company shareholder may be able to obtain a 居留签证 through the business, subject to the company's jurisdiction, immigration eligibility and applicable procedures.

The 流程 may include:

Investor residence should not be confused with Golden Residence or Green Residence. Long-term residence categories have separate eligibility conditions. ICP describes Green Residence as a renewable five-year category for eligible groups that allows residence without a sponsor. ICP Green Residence guidance

Golden Residence is also limited to qualifying categories, including certain investors, entrepreneurs and specialised talents; ordinary company ownership does not automatically establish eligibility. ICP Golden Visa information

雇用员工的迪拜 Mainland 公司通常需完成 applicable labour 和 immigration registrations。自由区 公司通常遵循 respective zones 规定的 employment system。

Employment obligations may include:

Visa availability may depend on the company's activity, premises, jurisdiction and workforce classification.

A 迪拜 商业执照 does not guarantee bank-account approval. Banks independently assess every application under their 合规 and risk policies.

The bank may request:

当 business model 不清晰、expected transactions 与 执照 不符、ownership unnecessarily complicated 或 source of funds 未 adequately documented 时，申请可能被 delayed。

KPM Global Services 可协助整理申请文件并协调 suitable banking channels，但 final approval remains entirely with bank。

Incorporating 在迪拜 does not remove the company from the 阿联酋 企业所得税 framework.

Taxable persons must evaluate their registration, return-filing and payment obligations. The FTA states that taxable persons must register and obtain a 企业所得税登记 Number. A 阿联酋 juridical person established on or after 1 March 2024 is generally required to apply within three months of incorporation, establishment or recognition. FTA 企业所得税登记 guidance and FTA registration-timeframe announcement

Special rules may apply to Qualifying 自由区 Persons, large multinational groups and other defined categories.

自由区 公司不得假设所有收入均符合 0% 税率。资格可能取决于合格收入、实质经营活动、经审计财务报表、转让定价合规及满足其他法定条件。

Professional advice should be obtained for:

增值税登记 depends on the company's taxable supplies and imports.

The FTA states that 阿联酋 居民企业须在前 12 个月应税供应和进口超过 AED 375,000，或预计在未来 30 天内超过该水平时登记。当应税供应、进口或合格应税费用超过 AED 187,500 时，通常可进行自愿登记。 FTA 增值税登记 guidance

A business should assess:

Foreign businesses 可能 subject to different registration considerations，ordinary mandatory threshold 对它们不适用相同方式 where they are required to register。

会计应自公司成立时开始，而非等到首次报税到期。

The company should maintain:

A suitable accounting system should separate business and personal expenditure, reconcile bank transactions and produce reliable financial reports.

Good records support 税务合规, banking reviews, audits, investor reporting and management decisions.

企业必须 correctly identify 并 maintain information concerning ultimate beneficial owners、股东、directors 和 authorised representatives，in accordance with applicable rules。

Ownership、management、address 或 beneficial ownership 的变更应在 required period 内 reported。Companies 还应 retain updated 章程文件、resolutions 和 registers。

Nominee 或 complicated holding structure 不 remove obligation to disclose natural person who ultimately owns 或 controls company。

Certain businesses have enhanced anti-money-laundering responsibilities because of their sector or activity.

Relevant businesses may need to implement:

较高风险行业可能包括 certain real-estate activities、贵金属和宝石、corporate-service activities、legal and 会计服务 及其他 designated non-financial businesses and professions。

AML 合规 should be operational, documented and proportionate to the company's risk profile.

贸易许可证不一定授权立即进口或销售每种产品。

Depending on the goods, the business may require:

食品、化妆品、医疗器械、药品、化学品和电信设备等产品可能有额外要求。

Ongoing requirements may include:

Failure to maintain the 执照 or regulatory registrations may result in penalties, suspension, transaction restrictions or immigration complications.

A low-cost setup may not provide the required activity, visas, premises, market access or banking suitability.

Operating outside the approved activity can cause contractual, banking and regulatory problems.

The 企业所得税 treatment depends on statutory conditions, income and 合规—not simply the address printed on the 执照.

This weakens 会计记录 and can create tax and governance difficulties.

Tax, accounting, UBO, AML, employment and renewal requirements continue after incorporation.

Multiple companies or holding layers can increase cost, 合规 and banking scrutiny without creating real commercial value.

服务海外客户的顾问可能优先选择服务类 activity、适度办公空间、一张 投资人签证、多币种 banking 和 straightforward accounting。

在 阿联酋 销售的 importer 可能需要 appropriate trading activity、customs registration、warehouse 或 fulfilment arrangements、product approvals、增值税 planning 和 local distribution capability。

Technology founder 可能需要 intellectual-property planning、employee visas、software 或 technology activities、investor-ready corporate 文件 和 scalable banking。

Established foreign business 可比较 subsidiary 与 branch。Decision 应考虑 liability、control、tax、banking、contracts、文件认证 和 future investment。

医疗保健、 financial、 教育、 real-estate 或 virtual-asset business 可能在 commercial operations begin 前 require specialist regulator approval。

KPM Global Services provides coordinated support for foreign investors establishing and operating businesses 在迪拜.

Depending on the project, our assistance may include:

Recommendations are tailored to the proposed activity, target market, ownership, staffing and operating model.

KPM Global Services does not issue government approvals or control bank decisions. Our role is to help investors choose an appropriate route, prepare the required information and coordinate the 流程 professionally.

Yes. Foreign nationals can establish businesses 在迪拜, subject to the requirements of the selected activity, jurisdiction and legal structure.

Full foreign ownership is available for many Mainland activities. Strategically significant and regulated activities may have additional conditions, so the specific activity must be checked.

3. Do I need a 阿联酋 national business partner?

Not for many activities. A 阿联酋 national shareholder or another local arrangement may still be relevant in limited, specially regulated circumstances.

Mainland may be more suitable for broad 阿联酋-market operations and physical customer-facing businesses. A 自由区 may suit international services, specialist sectors, exports or businesses seeking a zone-specific environment. The decision should follow the operating model.

The least expensive advertised package may not be the most appropriate. The total cost depends on the activity, 执照, facility, visas, approvals, 移民服务 and annual 合规.

Parts of the 流程 may be completed remotely, depending on the authority and structure. Physical presence may still be required for certain signing, immigration or banking procedures.

Not necessarily. A person may be able to own a company without becoming a 阿联酋 resident. Residence can nevertheless be useful for managing the business and accessing local services.

No. Visa approval is subject to immigration rules, security checks, company eligibility and 完成 of the required procedures.

A straightforward 执照 can sometimes be completed quickly after all 文件 are ready. Regulated activities, corporate 股东, premises inspections and external approvals take longer.

Common requirements include a passport copy, photograph, contact details, proposed 商号 and activity information. Additional 文件 may be required for 阿联酋 residents, regulated professionals or corporate 股东.

Certain corporate, educational and professional 文件 may require notarisation, legalisation, 阿联酋 diplomatic attestation or certified Arabic translation.

Compatible activities may sometimes be combined. Unrelated or separately regulated activities may require 额外批准 or licences.

It depends on the activity and jurisdiction. Some businesses can use flexible workspace, while retail, 医疗保健, industrial, food, 教育 and 承包 activities may require approved premises.

A 迪拜 company falls within the 阿联酋 企业所得税 framework unless a specific exemption applies. The applicable liability depends on taxable income, status and relevant statutory conditions.

No. A qualifying 自由区 company may receive a 0% rate on qualifying income when all legal conditions are satisfied. Other income may be taxed under the applicable rules.

A 阿联酋-resident business generally must register when its taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 under the applicable historical or forward-looking tests. Different considerations can apply to non-resident businesses.

No consultant can legitimately guarantee approval. KPM Global Services can help prepare and coordinate the application, but the bank makes the final decision.

Yes, subject to the applicable work-permit, immigration, facility, quota and employment requirements.

An eligible 阿联酋 resident may sponsor qualifying family members subject to immigration, income, accommodation, 保险 and documentary requirements.

Yes. Accurate records are essential for 税务合规, financial reporting, banking, audit readiness and business management.

Applicable businesses must identify and maintain accurate information about their ultimate beneficial owners and submit or update required records.

The correct route depends on the activity, products, transaction structure and 自由区 rules. Additional licensing, distribution or customs arrangements may be required.

Potentially, yes. The foreign company will generally need appropriately legalised corporate 文件 and formal approval of the 阿联酋 investment.

The company may still need Establishment 登记, visas, banking, tax registration, accounting, UBO filings, customs registration, sector permits and operational systems.

KPM Global Services can assist with relevant 执照 renewals, tax registration, 增值税, accounting, UBO, AML, immigration and continuing business-support requirements.