Questions, answered clearly

Book a free 30-minute consultation or use our cost calculator. A senior advisor reviews your plan and sends a written, open-book quotation.

Yes. Much of the process can start remotely. You need to visit the UAE for the visa medical test and Emirates ID.

Free zone licences are often issued within a few working days once documents are complete. Simple mainland activities often take one to two weeks. Activities that need external approvals take longer.

Usually a passport copy valid for at least 6 months, a photo and, if you live in the UAE, your current visa. We prepare the company documents for you.

Yes. Tajnes Business Management Est. is licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

We help entrepreneurs, SMEs and international companies set up trading, services, professional, consulting, e-commerce and many other licensed activities on the Dubai mainland, the Abu Dhabi mainland, or in free zones in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. Some activities need extra approval from a sector regulator, which can add time. Tell us what you plan to do and we will match it to the right activity and setup.

Yes. A foreign company can usually register a branch on the mainland or in a free zone, or set up a new UAE subsidiary instead. A branch is not a separate legal entity, so the parent company remains responsible for its obligations, and the authority will ask for attested parent-company documents. We compare the branch and subsidiary options with you, manage document attestation and handle the licence application.

Common forms include the limited liability company (LLC), the sole establishment or single-owner LLC, the free zone company or free zone establishment, and branches of local or foreign companies. The right choice depends on how many owners you have, whether they are individuals or companies, and the liability you are comfortable with. Not every authority offers every form. We explain the options in plain language before you commit.

Your trade name must be unique and suit your licensed activity. Names generally cannot include offensive or religious terms, the names of public bodies, or well-known brands you do not own, and a person’s full name is usually allowed only if that person is an owner. The authority approves the name before the licence is issued. We check availability and prepare alternatives so your application is not delayed.

Our team works with clients in English, Arabic and French, and our website is available in all three languages; the English version prevails. Official UAE documents are usually issued in Arabic and English, and some documents need legal translation or attestation. Where a translation is needed, we arrange it through licensed translators and show the cost as a separate line in your quote.

Yes. We treat your passport, KYC and business details as confidential and use them only to deliver the services you engage us for, such as submitting applications to authorities, banks and licensed partners. Documents you upload are stored in a private, access-restricted area. Like every UAE service provider, we may have to share information when the law requires it.

After your consultation we send a written quote that shows government fees, third-party costs and our service fee separately. Work starts once you sign the agreement and make the payment set out in it; the payment details are included in the agreement. Government fees are paid at official cost with receipts. Our fees are non-refundable once paid, so please review the quote carefully. T&Cs apply.

A mainland company is licensed by DET and can trade anywhere in the UAE. A free zone company is licensed by a free zone authority and trades mainly inside the zone or internationally. Selling goods into the UAE market from a free zone usually needs a distributor or a mainland licence.

Yes, for most activities, both in free zones and on the mainland. A small number of strategic activities have special rules, which we check for you.

It depends on your activity, number of visas and budget. We compare Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman free zone options on total cost, not just the licence price.

Every company needs a registered address. A flexi-desk works for many activities. On the mainland your visa quota depends on your office size; in free zones it depends on your package.

Commercial, professional and industrial licences on the mainland, and trading, service and industrial licences in free zones. Your activities decide the licence type.

Yes. You can add a mainland licence or branch as you grow. Planning it from the start saves time and money.

Yes, with the right permit. Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a Dubai free zone company can apply to the Department of Economy and Tourism for a mainland branch licence or a temporary permit for certain activities, subject to approvals. Mainland income must be accounted for separately and does not benefit from the free zone corporate tax rate. We check whether your activity qualifies.

A “dual licence” usually means a free zone company that also holds a mainland licence or permit, so it can invoice clients in both markets. In Dubai this is done through a mainland branch licence or a temporary activity permit with its own annual fee. It suits businesses that mainly operate from a free zone but win some mainland contracts. We compare the cost with a standalone mainland company before you decide.

Yes. Abu Dhabi mainland licences are applied for through the TAMM portal. Foreign investors can choose an LLC or a single-owner LLC with 100% ownership, and Abu Dhabi also offers a virtual licence that can be obtained from outside the UAE before applying for residency. We prepare the application, coordinate any activity approvals and then arrange your visas.

Most mainland activities allow full foreign ownership under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies. Activities with “strategic impact” can carry extra conditions or ownership limits, including security and defence, banking and insurance, telecommunications, commercial agencies, Hajj and Umrah services, and fishing. We review your activity list before you apply, so there are no surprises later.

A freelance or self-employment permit lets an individual work for several clients in their own name, usually in professional, media, technology or education fields, without forming a company. A company licence creates a business that can hire staff, sponsor more visas and grow. Freelancers who meet the conditions can apply for a self-sponsored Green visa. We help you decide which option suits your plans.

Yes. Selling online in the UAE, including through social media or marketplaces, requires a licence that covers e-commerce or the relevant trading activity. Dubai offers a home-based e-Trader licence for eligible individuals, while companies add e-commerce activities to a mainland or free zone licence. Marketplaces, payment gateways and banks apply their own checks. We help you choose the activity that matches how and where you sell.

Yes. A holding company owns shares in other companies and usually does not trade itself. It can be set up on the mainland or in some free zones, depending on whether it will hold UAE or foreign subsidiaries and which other activities it needs. Holding structures have corporate tax and beneficial-ownership reporting implications, so we coordinate with licensed tax partners before you decide.

It depends on the jurisdiction, activity, visas and office. Our cost calculator gives an itemised estimate in about two minutes, and your final price comes in a written quotation.

Every quote shows three separate parts: government fees at official cost with receipts, third-party services at our partner rates, and one fixed Tajnes service fee agreed in writing.

Tajnes fees are non-refundable once paid. Government fees are set and handled by the authorities under their own rules. Full terms are in your agreement.

VAT at 5% applies to the Tajnes service fee only. Government fees carry no VAT, and your quotation shows every line clearly.

Each plan has a typical scope, shown on our pricing page. Your exact scope is set out in your written quotation and agreement, and only that document applies.

Yes, but always shown separately. Every Tajnes quote lists government and authority fees at official cost, third-party services such as office or insurance, and the Tajnes service fee as separate lines. Government fees are set by the authorities and can change, so we pay them at cost and give you the receipts. Use our cost calculator for an estimate, then book a consultation for your final quote.

No. The cost calculator at /cost-calculator/ gives you an approximate idea based on your answers about zone, activities, visas and family members. Figures are indicative because authorities set and update their own fees. Your final quote is issued after a consultation and confirmed in a signed agreement. You can move straight from the calculator to start your application, and our pricing page at /offers/ explains each plan.

Plan for annual licence renewal, office or flexi-desk rent (with Ejari on the Dubai mainland), visa renewals and medical insurance for visa holders, plus accounting and corporate tax filing. VAT-registered businesses also file periodic returns. Amounts depend on your zone, activities and team size. Our pricing page at /offers/ and the cost calculator show typical items, and we remind you before each renewal falls due.

Investor, partner, employee, family and Golden visas, from entry permit to Emirates ID.

No. After the licence, the company needs an establishment card and visa allocation or quota. Then each person goes through entry permit or change of status, medical and Emirates ID.

Yes, once your residency is issued, subject to the authority's conditions. Medical tests are needed only for family members aged 18 and over.

On the mainland, visa numbers depend on your office size, and one investor or partner visa can be issued at setup. In a free zone, your package sets the number of visas.

Owners of property worth AED 2 million or more may qualify for a 10-year Golden visa, subject to the authority's conditions and approval.

The Green visa is a five-year, self-sponsored residence visa for skilled employees, freelancers and self-employed people, and investors or business partners who meet the conditions set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). For example, skilled employees need at least a bachelor’s degree and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000. Holders can sponsor family members. We check your eligibility and prepare the application.

Yes. Freelancers and self-employed people can apply for a five-year Green visa. In Dubai, the residency authority (GDRFA) asks for a freelance permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, at least a bachelor’s degree or specialised diploma, and annual self-employment income of at least AED 360,000 over the previous two years, or proof of financial solvency. We help with both the permit and the visa steps.

An investor visa is a residence visa for the owner of a UAE company, and a partner visa is for a shareholder in a company with several owners. It is linked to your licence, so it must stay valid and be renewed with it. On the Dubai mainland, one investor or partner visa is typically processed at setup, with further partner visas subject to approval. We handle the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and residency steps.

After your entry permit or change of status is approved, applicants aged 18 and over must pass a medical fitness test at an approved health centre, and you give fingerprints and a photo for your Emirates ID. Once both are complete, the residence visa is issued and linked to your Emirates ID. VIP or express options may be available for an extra fee. We book the appointments and track each step for you.

In many cases, yes. If you are already in the UAE on a visit visa or another permit, an in-country change of status can move you onto your new residence entry permit without exiting, for an additional government fee. Whether it is allowed depends on your current visa type and the authority’s rules at the time. We check your status first and include the fee in your quote.

Possibly. Standard family sponsorship covers your spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs. Green visa holders can also sponsor first-degree relatives, and parents may be sponsored under separate conditions set by ICP or GDRFA. Because these requirements change, we confirm the current rules for your visa type and income before you apply.

Family residence permits are linked to the sponsor’s permit, so if your visa is cancelled your dependants’ visas must be cancelled too. The UAE government portal states that dependants then have a grace period, currently shown as six months, to obtain a new permit or leave. Not renewing or cancelling dependants’ visas on time can lead to fines. We plan cancellations and transfers so your family stays covered.

A standard residence visa can be cancelled if you stay outside the UAE for more than six continuous months, unless an exception applies. Golden visa holders are not bound by this six-month rule. If you expect long periods abroad, check your options before you travel, because re-entry after the limit may require a new visa. We can review your situation and advise on the practical steps.

Yes. Mainland employees need a work permit and an employment contract registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, plus a residence visa unless someone else sponsors them. Free zone employees are registered through their free zone. Employers must also make sure staff are enrolled in the unemployment insurance scheme where it applies. Our PRO team handles permits, contracts and visas from start to finish.

0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that. Every company must register, even if no tax is due.

Businesses with revenue of AED 3 million or less can elect to be treated as having no taxable income. It applies to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. A return must still be filed.

Registration is mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.

Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an accredited e-invoicing service provider by 30 October 2026 and go live on 1 January 2027. Smaller businesses appoint a provider by 31 March 2027 and go live on 1 July 2027.

Yes. Licences and visas must be renewed on time to avoid fines. We remind you and can handle renewals through our PRO service.

Companies incorporated on or after 1 March 2024, including free zone companies, must register with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of incorporation. Individuals doing business must register once their business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year, by 31 March of the following year. Registration is done online through EmaraTax. Our licensed tax partners can register you as soon as your licence is issued.

The late registration penalty is AED 10,000. The Federal Tax Authority runs a relief initiative: the penalty is not applied if you register and file your first corporate tax return within seven months of the end of your first tax period. Late filing and late payment penalties apply separately. Registering on time is the simplest protection, and we flag the deadline as soon as your licence is issued.

The corporate tax return, and any tax due, must be submitted within nine months of the end of your tax period. For a company with a calendar financial year, that means by 30 September of the following year. Companies with no tax to pay, including those claiming Small Business Relief or 0% free zone treatment, must still file. Our licensed tax partners can prepare and file the return for you.

Not automatically. A free zone company that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions can pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income. Conditions include adequate substance in the free zone, audited financial statements and keeping non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit. Every free zone company must still register and file returns. Our licensed tax partners can review your position.

Under Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023, businesses with revenue above AED 50 million and all Qualifying Free Zone Persons must prepare audited financial statements for corporate tax purposes. Your free zone, bank or licensing authority may also request audited accounts, for example at renewal. All other businesses must still keep proper financial records. We connect you with licensed accounting and audit partners.

Under the Corporate Tax Law, businesses must keep accounting records and supporting documents for seven years after the end of the tax period they relate to. VAT has its own record-keeping rules. Records should be kept in a form the Federal Tax Authority can review on request, in Arabic or with translations if asked. Our accounting partners can set up a compliant bookkeeping system from day one.

Yes. Every UAE company must keep a register of its ultimate beneficial owners: individuals who own or control 25% or more of the company, or otherwise control it. Under Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023, companies must also keep registers of shareholders and nominee directors and submit the details to their licensing authority. Fines for non-compliance can reach AED 100,000. We prepare and update your UBO filings.

Not for recent years. The UAE amended its Economic Substance Regulations so that no ESR notifications or reports are required for financial years ending after 31 December 2022. Earlier years may still have open obligations or penalties, so check if your company existed before 2023. Corporate tax now has its own substance requirements for free zone companies. Our tax partners can review any older filings.

Some businesses must. Designated non-financial businesses and professions, such as real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, auditors and accountants, and corporate service providers, must register on the goAML platform, carry out customer due diligence and report suspicious transactions. The Ministry of Economy has suspended firms that failed to register. We check whether your activity is covered when we plan your licence.

No. The UAE does not tax individuals on salaries or personal investment income. However, individuals running a business or freelance activity must register for corporate tax once their business turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year, and VAT may apply to their sales above the registration threshold. We help you understand which rules apply to your activity, with input from licensed tax partners.

VAT-registered businesses must file their return and pay any tax due within 28 days after the end of each tax period, which is usually quarterly or monthly as set by the Federal Tax Authority. Since 14 April 2026, late VAT payments attract a penalty of 14% a year, calculated monthly. Accurate records and compliant invoices make filing easier. Our licensed tax partners can manage your VAT returns.

We prepare your bank file and guide you through the bank's questions. Approval is always the bank's decision, so no one can guarantee an account.

From about a week to several weeks, depending on the bank, your profile and how quickly documents are provided.

Many banks prefer at least one shareholder or signatory with a UAE residency visa. Some accept non-residents, with stricter requirements.

Banks usually ask for the trade licence, memorandum or articles of association, share register, passports and Emirates IDs of shareholders and signatories, proof of address, a company profile or business plan, expected transactions, and evidence of the source of funds. Central Bank rules require banks to identify and verify beneficial owners. Each bank sets its own list. We prepare a complete, consistent file to support your application.

Common reasons include an unclear source of funds, activities the bank considers high-risk, incomplete or inconsistent documents, shareholders linked to sanctioned or high-risk jurisdictions, or no clear business presence in the UAE. Banks do not always explain their decisions, and approval is always the bank’s choice. A clear business profile and supporting documents improve your chances. We help you prepare and, if needed, approach another bank.

The Golden visa is a long-term, renewable residence visa valid for five or ten years. Holders do not need an employer or sponsor, can sponsor their spouse and children, and can stay outside the UAE for more than six months without losing residency. Categories include investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, outstanding students and frontline heroes. We check which route fits you and prepare a complete file.

Yes. In Dubai, the residency authority lists investor routes for owners whose share of company assets is at least AED 2 million, backed by a certified financial report from a UAE audit firm, or whose business paid at least AED 250,000 in tax in a year, backed by a Federal Tax Authority letter. Entrepreneurs with an approved innovative project may also qualify. We review your company documents and handle the application.

Yes, under the investor route. The Dubai residency authority accepts a deposit of at least AED 2 million in a UAE bank, or in local sukuk or bonds, frozen for at least two years, together with proof of housing in Dubai. The deposit cannot be withdrawn while the visa conditions apply. We help you obtain the right bank letters and prepare the application.

A mortgaged property can qualify if its value is at least AED 2 million and the bank issues a no-objection certificate. Since February 2026, the earlier requirement to have paid 50% of the price or AED 1 million upfront has reportedly been removed, so eligibility is based on the value certified by the land department. Off-plan rules are stricter. Tajnes is not a real estate broker; we handle the visa process only.

Reported 2026 updates include removing the upfront-payment requirement for property applicants and adding nomination routes for groups such as teachers, nurses, content creators and e-sports professionals, each through a designated authority. Core rules remain, including the AED 2 million property threshold and residency without a sponsor. Because criteria keep evolving, we confirm the latest requirements with the authority before filing your application.

You apply to your licensing authority to amend the licence. The new activity must be compatible with your existing activities and licence type, and some activities need approval from a sector regulator. There is usually an amendment fee, and your office, Ejari or visa quota may need updating. We check compatibility first, then handle the amendment and any external approvals for you.

Changing shareholders requires an amendment to your licence and memorandum of association, usually signed before a notary or the authority, plus updated beneficial-ownership details. If a shareholder leaves, any partner visa they hold must be cancelled or transferred, and bank signatories and tax records must be updated. We prepare the documents and coordinate signing, attestation and the authority amendments.

Ejari is Dubai’s official system for registering tenancy contracts. Dubai mainland companies need a registered Ejari for their office, including flexi-desk arrangements, to issue and renew the licence and to apply for visas. Free zone companies use the lease or desk agreement issued by their free zone instead. We source a suitable office or flexi-desk and arrange its Ejari as part of your setup.

An expired licence can block visa applications and renewals, banking and new contracts, and late renewal usually leads to fines that grow over time. Operating with an expired licence is a separate violation. Fines and grace periods differ by authority, so do not rely on a grace period. We track your renewal date and start the process early, including the Ejari and visa checks.

Federal government entities work Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and on Friday from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, with Saturday and Sunday as the weekend. Many government services are available online around the clock, while service centres keep their own hours. Tajnes is open Sunday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, so we can prepare your files even when government offices are closed.

Emiratisation targets set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation apply to private companies with 50 or more employees, and to some companies with 20 to 49 employees in specified sectors. Smaller companies are generally not subject to these targets. Missing a target can lead to financial contributions, and fake Emiratisation is penalised. We help you understand whether the rules apply as your team grows.

Yes, through licensed accounting and tax partners. They can set up bookkeeping, prepare financial statements, and handle VAT and corporate tax registration and filings. We coordinate the work so your licence, visa and tax deadlines stay aligned, and the partner’s fee appears as a separate line in your quote. Tax matters are handled by the licensed partner, and nothing on this page is tax advice.

Yes. We prepare business plans and company profiles for licence applications, bank account opening, investor discussions and visa routes that need a business case. A plan typically covers your activity, target market, operations, team and financial projections. It is based on the information you give us, and we do not guarantee any approval, funding or bank outcome.

Yes. For existing businesses, we review your licence structure, activities, ownership, visas and running costs, and suggest practical changes, such as adding activities, consolidating entities or moving to a better-suited zone. Where tax, legal or financial advice is needed, we work alongside licensed partners. Our role is practical, operational support, not legal or investment advice.

We help keep your company in good standing by tracking licence, Ejari and visa renewal dates, maintaining shareholder and beneficial-ownership records, preparing shareholder resolutions, and coordinating tax filings through licensed partners. We flag upcoming deadlines before they turn into fines. This is operational support; for legal or tax advice we involve licensed professionals.

Closing a company usually involves a shareholder resolution to dissolve, appointing a registered liquidator, publishing a notice to creditors, cancelling all visas and the establishment card, settling debts, and obtaining clearances, including from the Federal Tax Authority, before the licence is cancelled. Mainland and free zone procedures differ. We manage the steps and coordinate with liquidators and tax partners.

Yes. You must apply to the Federal Tax Authority to deregister from corporate tax within three months of ceasing business or of dissolution, after filing final returns and paying any tax due. VAT-registered businesses must also apply for VAT deregistration. Late deregistration can lead to penalties, and the licence may not be cancelled until tax matters are cleared. Our tax partners handle final filings.

All residence visas sponsored by the company, including partner and employee visas, must be cancelled and work permits closed before the licence can be cancelled. Employees must receive their end-of-service entitlements. Each person then has a grace period, which depends on their visa type, to find a new sponsor or leave the UAE. We handle the cancellations in the correct order to avoid fines.

Usually, yes. Shares in an LLC or free zone company can be transferred to a new owner by amending the memorandum of association and licence, subject to the company’s articles, any partners’ rights and authority approval. Debts, visas, contracts, bank mandates and tax registrations should be reviewed first. We handle the amendment and documents; for valuation and legal advice, we work with licensed partners.

Yes. Renewals, amendments, labour and immigration paperwork, handled for you.

Yes. Branding, websites, digital marketing, production and PR, through our team and partners.

No. Tajnes provides business setup and management services and general commercial information. For legal, tax or investment decisions, please consult licensed professionals.

No. Tajnes is not a RERA broker. We refer clients to verified RERA-licensed brokers and developers.

Sunday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM. You can reach us on WhatsApp at +971 56 904 6666 or at info@tajnes.com.

Our pricing is open-book: government fees, third-party costs and our service fee are always shown separately. We work as a long-term partner rather than a one-off agent, with fast replies in English, Arabic and French. Our approach is built on Sharia principles of transparency, and we share what we have learned from our own experience so you avoid common mistakes. T&Cs apply.

No. Licences, visas, Golden visas and bank accounts are approved by the relevant authorities and banks, which set their own requirements and timelines. What we do is prepare complete, accurate files, follow up closely and tell you early if anything needs fixing. Any timing we give is an estimate based on experience, not a promise, and authority decisions are final.