A common line of questioning from entrepreneurs new to the UAE concerns licensing. The UAE’s licensing process can seem complex to the outside eye, particularly due to the number of licenses on offer for different requirements.
As well as the common license types such as commercial, industrial, and professional, there are also specialist licenses and express licenses.
One such is the Instant License which is available in Dubai. The Instant License is a trade license available to those carrying out commercial or professional business activities that can be obtained within minutes.
With expert guidance, obtaining an instant license is easy here in Dubai. Read on to find out more.
What is the Dubai Instant License
The Dubai Instance License is essentially an express form of professional or commercial license that can be obtained without the usual approvals and documentation. The key difference between the two is that when applying for an Instant License, you are not required to register your trade name, produce a Memorandum of Association or take out a tenancy agreement.
The Instant License Dubai DED application is so straightforward that it can take as little as five minutes, with the entire process completed online.
How to apply for a Dubai instant license
Providing that you work with a UAE company formation expert when making your application, the process of obtaining an Instant License in Dubai takes just four steps.
- Selecting your business activities
The first step when starting a company in Dubai is to decide on your business activities. The important thing here is that your chosen activities are in line with those on the official Department of Economic Development (DED) list. The Instant License is open to over 2,000 activities as set out by the DED, covering every industry imaginable so you’re sure to find one that suits.
- Choosing your company name
The next important step to take before making your application is to choose a company name. There are a few key things to keep in mind at this stage – many that would not apply to anywhere else in the world.
Be aware that you must abide by a strict set of naming conventions. In short, you should avoid any offensive or blasphemous language. Avoid names of well-known organisations and avoid abbreviations if naming your company after yourself – i.e. Dave Mann Consulting, rather than D Mann Consulting. You must also check that your chosen name is available to register.
- Making your license application
Now it’s time to make your Instant License application. This can be done either online via the e-channel portal or by visiting a service centre.
The process is so simple that it should take no longer than five minutes with minimal documentation required (see full details below).
As part of the application, you will be required to provide the following information:
- Activities
- Partners and managers
- Trade name
- Commercial registry
- Making your visa applications
You’ll also need a residency visa to work in the UAE – as will your employees should you have any.
Again, with the right guidance, the visa application process can be incredibly straightforward. Most company formation agents can help you with this step as well as with your license application.
As the holder of a UAE business license, you can also sponsor others for their visas too. This could be a spouse, parent or child, or a domestic worker such as a housekeeper.
The maximum number of visas you can apply for will depend on the size of your company, your chosen setup and, for dependant visas, your personal earnings.
Documents required for Dubai Instant License
The Instant License Dubai DED documentation requirements are minimal. When applying online via the e-channel portal, you are simply required to produce your ID in order to create an account before completing the process.
If you choose to apply at a service centre, you will need to provide:
- Copies of the passports for all the license parties (partners and managers)
- A copy of residence visa and NOC (if applicable).
- A copy of your visa (if applicable).
It is possible to incorporate several business types under the Instant License, these include:
- Limited Liability Company
- One Person L.L.C.
- Sole Proprietorship
- Civil Company
The Instant License is available to all activities that don’t need external approvals.
Cost of the Instant License in Dubai
The Instant License offers one of the most cost-effective ways to start a business in Dubai. The cost of the Instant License in Dubai is just AED 3,000. This includes the cost of trade name registration.
If you are new to the UAE, you will also need to factor in the cost of your visa application and those of any dependants.
For a full breakdown of all of the costs involved in starting a business in the UAE, get in touch with a company formation expert.
Getting your Dubai Instant License
If you’re armed with the right knowledge, getting an Instant License in Dubai doesn’t have to be overly complex.
That being said, it does require a level of prior knowledge of the process. What’s more, it is important to note that the application process is only straightforward if your license application is complete at the time of submission and free from errors.
To help you to ensure that this is the case, it’s a good idea to work with a company formation specialist such as Set Hub when establishing a new company in the UAE.
We are a team of company registration professionals who are passionate about bringing the dreams of aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs to life.
As well as handling your license application, Set Hub can also assist with the opening of corporate bank accounts and advise on the most appropriate financial institution to suit your specific needs.
We also offer visa and immigration services and can handle all government formalities, permissions, work permits and visas applications that are required to trade in the UAE.
