Getting the trade licence feels like the finish line, but the licence only gives you permission to exist. Over the next month you set up the practical things that let the company hire, bank, invoice and stay compliant. This checklist puts them in a sensible order so nothing is missed or done twice. It continues […]
Opening a UAE corporate bank account without residency is harder than for a resident, but genuinely doable, provided the company can show real substance and a clear reason for banking in the UAE. Key Takeaways Non-residency doesn’t automatically disqualify a company, but it does mean higher scrutiny and more documentation than a resident-owned business faces. […]
A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for a business, issued by Dun & Bradstreet, and it’s increasingly requested by international partners, marketplaces and government tenders even though it has nothing to do with UAE company registration itself. Key Takeaways DUNS is not a UAE government identifier. It’s issued by Dun & Bradstreet, a […]
A Certificate of Incorporation is the official proof that a UAE company legally exists, issued by the licensing authority once registration is complete, and it’s one of the most requested documents after a company is formed. Key Takeaways It confirms legal existence, not operating permission. The trade licence, a separate document, confirms what activities the […]
A Memorandum of Association is the founding legal document of a UAE company, setting out ownership, share capital and governance terms with the relevant licensing authority. Key Takeaways The MOA is a statutory document, filed with the licensing authority, not a private agreement between shareholders. It covers ownership and share capital structure, naming shareholders and […]
An external audit in the UAE checks whether a company’s financial statements are accurate, and it is mandatory for most free zone companies and many mainland companies, not an optional extra. Key Takeaways Audit and accounting are different services. Accounting produces the financial records; auditing independently verifies them. Most free zones require the audit to […]
Who qualifies for UAE Small Business Relief, how to elect 0% Corporate Tax on revenue up to AED 3 million, and what the August 2026 extension to 2029 means.
When VAT deregistration is required in the UAE, the 20-business-day deadline, the penalty for missing it, and what obligations continue after deregistering.
Key Takeaways Renewal keeps you licensed, not necessarily optimal. Paying the fee continues your company for another year; it does not confirm that the activities, structure and setup you chose at the start still fit the business you run now. Check five things before you renew: your licensed activities, your company structure, the true year-on-year […]
Explore the latest UBO and AML compliance requirements in the UAE for 2025. Avoid penalties with this clear, updated business guide. Understanding the Connection Between UBO and AML UBO compliance plays a vital role in the UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework. The goal of both is to enhance corporate transparency and accountability. The Ultimate Beneficial […]
