What I offer
Set up, adapt, keep running
Three stages that build on one another. Getting established is the quick part. What counts afterwards is whether the structure grows with the business and whether the day to day runs reliably. The last two are open whether or not I handled the setup.
Setup
Getting a company established in the UAE: licence, visas, tax registration and a bank account. I know the processes and the authorities, their requirements and the mistakes that cause applications to come back. Handled from start to finish.
For founders, investors and families settling in the UAE.
Company formation
Mainland, free zone or offshore, chosen around what is actually planned, so the structure still fits a year from now.
Visa application & processing
Investor, Manager, Employment, Dependent, Golden Visa or Domestic Helper: the whole process handled, from application through to Emirates ID.
Corporate Tax Registration
Registered for corporate tax correctly and on time. Filing and accounting sit with trusted partners, introduced on request.
Corporate bank account opening
Introductions to the right bank and a file prepared to meet their KYC and compliance requirements, which is where most applications stall.
Office & lease
From a flexi desk through to a dedicated office. On the mainland the lease must be registered as an Ejari; in a free zone it runs through the zone itself. Either way it sets how many visas are available.
Establishment Card
Your company registered with immigration. Without it, not a single visa can be applied for. Depending on the structure, employer registration follows through the free zone or through the labour ministry.
Adapt
Companies change: new activities, different management, new shareholders. Those changes almost always reach further than expected, into visas and banking among other things. I coordinate the change and keep track of what else it affects.
For anyone already holding a licence, whether or not I set it up.
Trade name change
A new trade name on the licence, with the approval and every document that follows from it.
Activity change
Adding new lines of business or dropping old ones when the company has moved on.
Manager & director changes
Appointing or removing managers and directors, with whatever paperwork the authority asks for in each case.
Share transfers
Bringing shareholders in, buying them out or redistributing shares, by whichever route applies.
Licence & visa renewals
Followed up well ahead of expiry, so nothing lapses and nothing becomes urgent.
Liquidation
Closing a company properly rather than letting it lapse: deregistration, visa cancellation and the clearance certificate. The last step and the only one that cannot be undone.
Manage
Structure in the background. Focus in the foreground. Every company generates administrative work that brings in no revenue and cannot be put off. I set up how it should run and then keep it running.
For founders and small teams anywhere in the world.
Processes & SOPs
Recurring processes defined and documented, so they stay traceable and run the same way each time.
Tools & systems
Chosen, set up and maintained, from the CRM to document filing.
Suppliers & contracts
Quotes gathered, providers coordinated and notice periods watched.
Documents & deadlines
Contracts, licences and permits kept in one place, with a reminder before anything falls due.
Invoicing & payment tracking
Sent out on time, followed up politely and reconciled so it is always clear what is outstanding.
Email & calendar management
Sorting, drafting, scheduling and arranging travel, so inboxes stay manageable.
Good to know
Common questions
Six questions that come up in almost every first call. If yours is not here, I am glad to answer it myself.
Free zone or mainland, which one suits me?
It mainly depends on where your clients are located. If you invoice mostly to clients outside the UAE or to other free zone companies, a free zone is often the right choice. If you want to serve the local market, run a shop or bid for government contracts, a mainland licence is usually required.
We will discuss this in the first call, before anything is filed. Moving between jurisdictions later on is not impossible, but it depends on various factors: among other things, both free zones, the one you leave and the one you join, have to approve the redomiciliation. That makes the process slower and more expensive than choosing the right jurisdiction from the start.
How long does a setup take?
In a free zone the licence is usually issued within five to ten working days, on the mainland within two to four weeks, because more government steps are involved. That assumes the paperwork is complete.
The visa then runs as its own process: entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID. From my experience, expect another one to two weeks for that.
Do I have to travel to the UAE?
The setup itself can be prepared and completed remotely in most free zones and on the mainland too, through a power of attorney. The visa is what requires you to be here: the medical and the biometrics appointment for your Emirates ID can only be done in person.
Most banks also want to meet you once. I coordinate the appointments and tell you well in advance when each one falls, so that one trip is enough.
What does a setup cost me?
Government fees depend on the authority, the activity and the number of visas; my fee depends on the scope. After the first call you get a transparent breakdown with the two listed separately.
What about the tax situation at home?
Leaving your home country, exit taxation and what happens to shares you hold there belong with your tax adviser at home, ideally before you set anything up, to avoid any difficulties later on.
Inside the UAE I handle the corporate tax registration. Filing and accounting sit with trusted partners I can introduce you to. Anyone promising you a tax-free outcome without knowing your situation at home is promising too much.
I already have a company, but you did not set it up. Can you still take it on?
Yes. Amendments, renewals and the day to day do not depend on who filed for the licence originally.
I will have a look at what is in place and let you know what makes sense.
Let’s discuss your plans
The more specific you are, the better I can point you towards the right structure and the first step. If it is easier to type on your phone, WhatsApp is completely fine.