A recruitment agency in the UAE needs two licences: a trade licence from the economic authority and a recruitment or mediation licence from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The MOHRE licence also requires a bank guarantee, and the amount depends on the type of agency you open. This guide explains the three […]
Opening a restaurant or café in Dubai takes more than a trade licence. You also need Dubai Municipality approvals for the layout, a food safety programme, a registered Person in Charge and a food permit before you serve a customer. This guide explains the order of the steps, what each authority checks and the mistakes […]
A real estate brokerage in Dubai needs a trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), a registration on the Dubai Land Department’s Trakheesi system and a practice card for every broker who works there. It is one of the most regulated small-business activities in the emirate, and the rules shape how you […]
You can set up a company in Ajman on the mainland through the Ajman Department of Economic Development (DED) or inside a free zone. Ajman is one of the lowest-cost emirates in the UAE, and it sits next to Sharjah and a short drive from Dubai. This guide explains how the two routes compare, what […]
You can set up a company in Sharjah on the mainland through the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) or in one of its free zones. The two routes give you different licences, different markets and very different costs. This guide explains how they compare, what each Sharjah free zone is built for and how to […]
You can set up a company in Abu Dhabi in three ways: on the mainland under the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), in one of its free zones, or in the ADGM financial centre. Each route gives a different licence, a different place where you can trade and a different cost profile. This […]
A UAE foundation is a separate legal entity that owns assets in its own name and has no shareholders. It can help you organise the ownership of properties, business shares, investments and other assets, set clear decision-making rules and plan how those assets are managed beyond your lifetime. This guide explains what a foundation does, […]
In February, JP Morgan announced that it is removing the UAE from its emerging-market bond indexes. The reason is not weakness. The country has become too wealthy to qualify. The UAE exceeded JP Morgan’s income thresholds for three consecutive years, with GDP per capita above $50,000. The exit is being phased in across four stages […]
The 30 June Emiratisation deadline is the first-half compliance checkpoint for companies covered by MoHRE Emiratisation rules. Companies with 50 or more employees that are subject to the requirements must achieve a 1% increase in Emiratisation in skilled roles by 30 June 2026. A second 1% increase is required in the second half of the […]
A UAE trade licence confirms that your company has been formed. It does not automatically complete every registration the company needs in order to operate. After the licence arrives, your company may still need immigration and employment registrations, tax registrations, ownership and anti-money laundering records, customs codes and external approvals. Key takeaways Your company may […]
