You have a great idea. You are ready to change the world with your plan. You are going to launch this great company in Dubai!

Slow down one second.

Before you go ahead, read on for three essential things to know before starting a business in Dubai.

1. There are plenty of benefits to starting a business in Dubai.

Just in case you weren’t aware of the multitude of benefits thataccompany the decision to start a business in Dubai, here is a rundown of fourof the most compelling reasons.

• Tax advantages: Dubai does not have income tax, corporate tax or personal tax. Additionally, the Emirate does not implement any foreign exchange restraints or trade quotas.
• Ability to have 100% foreign ownership: Unlike many countries in the world, the UAE allows 100% foreign ownership of companies, meaning you don’t have to find a local partner to have 51% ownership.
• Total anonymity: Dubai doesn’t require any business to have public records of their directors and shareholders. In fact, as the government of the UAE endeavors to have an economy that is as open as possible, there are very few rules that interfere with business.
• Flexible banking options: One of the main reasons Dubai is such a hub for international trade is because foreigners are able to efficiently and quickly open a corporate bank account that holds multiple currencies.

Each of these benefits is significant on its own; however, when youadd them together, they create a scenario that is incredibly appealing for manybusiness owners.

2. There is a new value-added-tax (VAT).

If you are looking to start a business in Dubai, it is essential that you are aware of the new VAT that was implemented this year. The new VAT is small compared to that of most developed countries (5%) and has been designed with the goal of aiding the government of the UAE in formulating a sustainable knowledge economy for the future that is less reliant on oil.

VAT is standard in most countries in the world and, usually, the amount of added VAT is determined as a percentage of the retail sale price of a product.

In the UAE, VAT is being added to the bulk of consumer items that are deemed as being a part of discretionary spending. Examples are electronics, automobiles, clothes and accessories, food and beverage, and entertainment.

Depending on the type of business you are looking to open in Dubai, you may have to look into VAT Registration. If your company creates taxable goods or services and has an annual turnover of Dh375,000 or more, then VAT Registration is mandatory.

To ensure that you are not going to find yourself with a lot of tax penalties, make sure that you know how to register for VAT and that you are completing the necessary paperwork within the appropriate time frame. 

3. You will find a welcoming hand for expats.

Dubai is mostly comprised of expats (90% of the population are fromelsewhere) which means no matter where you are from, you are going to feelwelcome. Plus, by opening a business in Dubai, you are in a position to easily obtain a UAE residencyvisa allowing you to rent property, enter and exit the country whenever youdesire, and become eligible for a Schengen visa.

This means you can be assured that you are going to find other people who havebeen through what you are about to embark on. If you are still concerned aboutaspects of setting up shop, then speak with the bestcompany formation service in Dubai.

By working with a company that has set up plenty of businesses, you can sleepwell at night knowing that you are receivingprofessional guidance through the necessary business setup, registrationand licensing procedures in the UAE.

You want to make sure you are getting everything done thoroughly andappropriately from the get-go so that you can set yourself up for success withyour new venture.

Are you contemplating starting a business in Dubai? What is standing in yourway? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

AUTHOR BIO
Raj Herry is the Founder and Chairman of Flying Colour Business Setup Services. His extensive experience comes from more than 15 years in the field of company incorporation for Dubai Mainland, all Free Zones across the UAE and offshore companies worldwide. He also owns several business centres offering furnished and ready-to-move offices in Dubai.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 15th, 2018 at 5:38 pm and is filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.