What do Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Henry Ford, Oprah Winfrey, Coco Chanel, and Dhirubhai Ambani have in common? Of course, they’re all exceedingly wealthy individuals. But what else? They all started their business empires without a degree – and most never even finished high school.
You might be wondering, ‘Can you start a business in Dubai without a degree?’ We have the answer: Yes, indeed, you can. Dubai (and the UAE in general) actively encourages entrepreneurship and attracts foreign nationals to the emirate – regardless of their educational background. Why? Business thrives here. In 2024, Dubai’s GDP grew by 3.1% – and reached Dh339 billion in the first nine months.
This article outlines exactly what you’ll need to start a business in Dubai without a degree, the paperwork and approvals to sort out, industry-specific factors, the advantages of launching a business here, and the setup steps. You’ll also learn how Set Hub does all the behind-the-scenes running for you.
Can you start a business in Dubai without a degree?
Dubai welcomes everyone – with a degree or not. You most certainly don’t need a qualification to start a business here, but certain industries do require specific educational qualifications. For the most part, all you need are skills, expertise, and experience – and comply with the local regulations.
Why do you need degrees for some industries and not others? If you work with hazardous chemicals at a sanitation or manufacturing plant, for example, you need qualified professionals to safely handle the chemicals and comply with health and safety regulations. And the same thing goes for education and financial services companies, which are understandably heavily regulated.
Retail businesses, trading companies, freelancers, and tech workers don’t necessarily require formal certifications or qualifications. And Dubai’s leadership has long recognized this, and offers accessible pathways to establish businesses here without the owner holding any degree.
Every industry in Dubai is regulated: here, all businesses need licenses and approvals to comply with relevant regulations. Once those are met, there’s boundless potential and opportunities.
What you need to start a business in Dubai
To start a business in Dubai, you’ll need a business license, local sponsorship (if applicable), and other legal prerequisites. You must be over 18 years and older, meet the criteria of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), and undergo mandatory medical testing and processing for your Emirates ID.
Important documents and approvals
The essential documents and approvals needed to start a business in Dubai vary depending on your business type, licensing, and approvals. These are the basics needed:
- Passport copies of all shareholders
- Passport photos of all shareholders
- Trade name reservation certificate is your proof that your business name meets all requirements from the government
- Office lease agreement is needed for proof of business address
- Initial approval certificate is the go-ahead from the authorities that you can proceed with the business registration process
- Trade license is your legal permission to do business in Dubai
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) are documents outlining the ownership structure and business activities for mainland companies (and not applicable for free zone setups)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), if applicable, is needed if your visa is sponsored or if you work for an employer
Industry-specific considerations to keep in mind
The industry-specific considerations when starting a business in Dubai without a degree include meeting the business licensing requirements and complying with your industry’s regulatory standards.
For instance, if you want to launch a medical institute, you’ll need to appoint a licensed and qualified medical director if you are not qualified. Similarly, if you want to open an educational academy, you’ll be required to hold relevant postgraduate degrees to get approval and licensing from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai – or hire a director with the requisite qualifications. In the financial sector, you must meet the regulations of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which, for leadership roles and certain business professionals, requires degrees and certifications.
While you don’t need a degree to start a business, you do need various approvals. For instance, any food-related business will need approvals from Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD). And, for a limo service, you’ll need approvals from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). You’ll also need Dubai Customs’ go-ahead if you’re starting an import/export business.
Set Hub will walk you through everything you need to start, as well as help you stay ahead of any regulations and approvals.
Benefits of launching your business in Dubai
The benefits of starting your business in Dubai include low tax climate, strategic location, ease of doing business, and investor-friendly policies.
Low tax
Dubai’s 0% personal income tax and 9% corporate tax rate are major attractions for entrepreneurs. Many free zones also offer tax exemptions that sweeten the deal.
Strategic location
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Dubai is within reach of two-thirds of the world’s population within an 8-hour flight. This makes it an ideal hub for international trade, import/export, logistics, and tourism.
Ease of doing business
The government has streamlined the company registration process – and even boasts digital government services for faster processing. There are no currency restrictions, and 100% foreign ownership in most sectors.
Investor-friendly policies
If you’re an investor, there are multiple visa options to choose from. Dubai also has strong legal frameworks in place to protect foreign investments. Recent pro-business reforms have been passed to bolster SMEs and startups.
Steps to officially set up your business
The steps to officially set up your business in Dubai include defining your business activity, selecting a business structure, reserve a business name, obtain initial approval, prepare an MoA or LSA (if needed), secure an office lease, get your trade license, apply for your residency visa (if needed), and open a corporate bank account top begin operations.
1. Define your business activity
Outline and define your business activity. There are four main categories: commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism. There are over 2,000 subcategories of options listed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the free zone authority to also choose from, so it is vital to choose the right ones, as this determines the type of business structure and license type. Working with a business setup specialist like Set Hub will set you on the right path from the get-go.
2. Choose your business structure
Sole proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), civil company, branch office, or free zone company – you can choose from several legal business structures depending on your needs and goals.
3. Reserve a trade name
Next up, is giving your business venture a name. It must be unique, and not violate naming conventions or trademarks. You an register it with the DED or through your free zone authority. Once approved, they’ll issue you a trade name reservation certificate.
4. Apply for initial approval
An initial approval is the green light from the government that it has no objections to your business idea, and this paves the way for you to continue with your business setup.
5. Prepare the MoA or LSA (if needed)
An MoA and Local Service Agreement (LSA) aren’t necessary for all setup types, but are needed for LLCs and partnerships in a mainland setup.
6. Secure an office space
For government admin, you need a registered address. It can be either a physical office lease (called an Ejari for mainland setups) or you can opt for a flexi-desk or virtual desk in a free zone.
7. Apply for your trade license
Now, you can apply for your business license by submitting all the final paperwork and paying the relevant fees.
8. Apply for your residency visa (if applicable)
Applying for your residency visa means going for medical tests, Emirates ID processing, and then visa stamping to activate your new residency visa.
9. Open a corporate bank account
This is the final step before launching full operations. We’ll introduce you to the most suitable corporate bank in Dubai for your industry and business type. Once your account’s in place, you can begin trading.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to start a business in Dubai?
No. The UAE doesn’t require a degree for most types of businesses.
Can you work in Dubai with no degree?
Yes. Many professions don’t require a degree.
What is required to start a business in Dubai?
You need a valid passport, business activity approval, trade name approval, license application, office space lease agreement (if applicable), visa, and an Emirates ID (for residents).
Can I start a business in Dubai without an office?
Yes. If you opt for a free zone setup, you can select from virtual or flexi-desk packages. Mainland setups generally require a physical location (Ejari lease).
How Set Hub can help you start your business
Set Hub specializes in business setup in Dubai, whether or not you hold a degree. Our expert team guides you through approvals, paperwork, visa processing, and licensing – saving you headaches. No two businesses are alike. We offer tailored advice for choosing the right free zone or mainland jurisdiction, and business activities, and licenses.
Let’s get you started; contact Set Hub today to start your business.
