FAQs

800 Free Zone / FAQs

With offices in Dubai, Fujairah, India and the U.K., Worldwide Formations is one of the most respected company formation and visa assistance agencies in the region. The experts at WWFL can offer you solutions for all your concerns and queries regarding company incorporation, 2nd citizenship and visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am interested in setting up a FOREX trading firm in a UAE Free Zone. I will be grateful to you for your valuable suggestions regarding the same.

UAE laws only allow for an investment consultancy. Most UAE Free Zones don’t give permission for stock brokerage or investment activities within their premises. However, investment and brokerage firms can be registered in Dubai (DIFC).

What are the lingering regulations in running a business from home in the UAE? Is there any possibility of transforming a part of my house into a business unit?

Running a business inside your home or in any residential building in the UAE is strictly prohibited. You must get a business facility to start a business of your own. However, you can contact the Economic Department regarding the matter, and sometimes some special arrangements can be expected with special approval.

May I know the technicalities behind operating a restaurant in Dubai? Could you help me with its establishment and maintenance costs?

For starting a restaurant you must have a local partner, like a UAE National or a Company. Please refer the website of the Dubai Economic Department www.dubaided.gov.ae to know more about the license fees and other allied costs. Apart from that, you must be specific on the kind of restaurant that you intent to open, as there will be variations in the cost according to the infrastructure you occupy.

Could you please tell me about the basic investment needed to start an import/export business in a Free Zone?

You must have a minimum capital of AED 200,000/- to operate a trading business in any Free Trade Zone.

Are there any intellectual property laws in the UAE?

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce would be the right source to guide you regarding this. You can also clarify this with your embassy in the country.

I am an importer of minerals and marbles based in Europe. Can you tell me about the kind of license I ought to have for trading in the UAE region?

A commercial license is what you require for the import/export business.

My family has a successful pharmaceutical business running in our country. I am looking forward to expanding into the UAE. What are the possibilities?

Since you are doing a health related business, you need to get special sanctions from the Health Ministry and from the Economic Department to expand into the UAE.

Can you help me with relevant information on commencing an export business of perishable goods from India to the UAE?

You have two options
1. If you are opting to sell your products directly to the end customers, you require a local license from the Economic Department. You also need a local partner (a UAE National) to carry it out. Refer to this website www.dubaided.gov.ae to know about the costs and requirements incumbent upon it.
2. It is also possible to start a company in the Free Zones like RAK FTZ. In this way you can have 100% ownership of your company, avoiding local partners. However, here you are limited to sell your products only to shops and companies that have import licenses and not to end-users.

I want to start a company with 100% ownership. I know I have to register my company in a Free Zone. Please let me know how I can start the process.

You can go ahead by setting up your company in the RAK FTZ with Flexi-Desk-BC package. All the very best!

Hello, I will be moving to Dubai shortly and am planning to set up a business there. The idea is to set up a menswear boutique. Can you please guide me regarding the estimated start-up cost? I am new to the laws and procedures of Dubai. Also, in your opinion, is it best to open my business in a mall or in a retail space? The business plan is to sell the products in UAE itself, i.e. no export or import.

The Dubai Economic Department can help you in this case. Please go through this link www.dubaided.gov.ae It will provide you with a holistic answer to your query. Also, seek the assistance of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, if required.