Knowledge Base FAQ
Your comprehensive guide to visas, business setup, and corporate services in Dubai.
What is the UAE Golden Visa and its primary benefits?
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term, 10-year residency permit for
investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talents. Its primary benefits include 100% ownership
of your mainland business without a local sponsor, the ability to sponsor your family and
domestic staff for the same duration, and a 6-month multiple-entry visa to facilitate the
initial setup.
Who is eligible for the 5-Year UAE Green Visa?
Eligibility for the UAE Green Visa is focused on skilled professionals,
freelancers, and investors. Specifically, skilled employees must be in Level 1, 2, or 3 of the
MOHRE classification with a bachelor's degree and a salary of at least AED 15,000. Freelancers
require a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and proof of annual income exceeding AED
360,000.
How to obtain a Freelance Visa in Dubai for 2026?
To obtain a Freelance Visa, you must first secure a Freelance Permit from
a relevant licensing authority, typically a Freezone (e.g., TECOM, IFZA). Key requirements
include a valid passport copy, proof of educational qualifications, and mandatory health
insurance. Once the permit is issued, you can apply for the 2-year or 5-year residency visa
through the GDRFA.
What are the family sponsorship requirements in Dubai?
Expatriate residents can sponsor their families if they have a minimum
monthly salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). Mandatory documents include an
attested marriage certificate for the spouse, birth certificates for children, and a registered
Ejari (tenancy contract) showing adequate housing. All documents must be legally translated and
MOFA-attested.
Property Investor Visa: Minimum Investment & Duration?
There are two main levels of investment for property visas: a 2-year
residency for investments of AED 750,000 or more, and a 10-year Golden Visa for investments of
at least AED 2 million. The property must be freehold, completed, and the investment amount must
be the equity value (net of any mortgage).
How does the 'Retire in Dubai' 5-year visa work?
The Retirement Visa is available to residents aged 55 and older who meet
one of three financial criteria: a monthly active income of AED 15,000, savings of AED 1 million
in a fixed 3-year UAE deposit, or real estate ownership worth AED 1 million. The visa is valid
for 5 years and is renewable if the criteria continue to be met.
Is 100% Foreign Ownership allowed in Dubai Mainland?
Yes, under the amended UAE Commercial Companies Law of 2021, 100% foreign
ownership is now permitted for over 1,000 commercial and industrial activities on the Dubai
Mainland. This landmark change means expatriates no longer require a UAE National as a 51%
majority shareholder for the vast majority of business activities.
What is a DED Instant License and how do I get it?
The DED Instant License is a fast-track set-up process that enables
entrepreneurs to obtain a trade license in a single step within minutes. Key features include an
exemption from the physical office (Ejari) requirement and the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
for the first year, making it the most cost-effective entry point for new businesses.
What are the different DET-Mainland license types?
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues four main license
types: Commercial (trading), Professional (services/skills-based), Industrial (manufacturing),
and Tourism (travel/hospitality). Each type has specific requirements regarding shareholding
structure and external department approvals.
Is a physical office mandatory for Mainland licenses?
While the 'Instant License' offers a one-year exemption, a physical
office is mandatory for all Mainland trade license renewals and visa processing. A registered
Ejari (tenancy contract) must be linked to the license, and the office space must meet the
minimum size criteria set by the DET (typically 200 sq. ft.).
Key benefits of a Mainland License vs a Freezone?
A Mainland License allows you to trade directly with the local UAE market
and participate in lucrative government contracts without geographical restrictions.
Additionally, Mainland companies have the flexibility to lease office or retail space anywhere
in Dubai, whereas Freezone companies are limited to their specific zone.
What are the initial setup costs for a Mainland company?
Typical setup costs for a Dubai Mainland license range from AED 16,000 to
AED 25,000. This includes government fees, name reservation, initial approval, and mandatory
market fees. These costs exclude office rent (Ejari), PRO services, and the refundable security
deposits required for visa allocations.
Is 100% ownership guaranteed in Dubai Freezones?
Yes, 100% foreign proprietorship is a fundamental benefit guaranteed by
all UAE Freezones. This allows international investors to maintain full control over their
company’s assets and shares without needing a local partner or Emirati shareholder.
Can I use a virtual office/Flexi-desk in a Freezone?
Most Freezones (like IFZA, Meydan, and Shams) provide 'Flexi-desk' or
Virtual Office packages. These are highly cost-efficient solutions that fulfill the legal
requirement of having a registered business address, allowing you to obtain a valid trade
license and visa allocations without high overhead costs.
How are visa allocations calculated for Freezone firms?
Visa allocations in Freezones are primarily based on the size of the
office space. A standard Flexi-desk package usually includes 1 to 3 visa quotas. Larger physical
offices increase this quota based on a ratio (typically 1 visa per 9-10 sq. meters of space).
What are the specific tax benefits of UAE Freezones?
Freezones offer a 0% corporate and personal tax environment for qualified
income, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, and total exemption from import and export
duties. This makes them ideal for international trading hubs and offshore services.
Selecting the right Freezone: IFZA vs DMCC?
IFZA is preferred by startups for its speed, flexibility, and low-cost
setup packages. DMCC, located in JLT, is a prestige-focused zone and is the global hub for
commodities trade (Gold, Diamonds, Tea), offering significant networking opportunities for
large-scale enterprises.
Is a Freezone E-commerce license available in Dubai?
Yes, many Freezones offer specialized E-commerce or 'E-trading' licenses.
These permits allow you to sell products or services online to consumers within the UAE (via
local distributors) and internationally, with simplified customs procedures for global shipping.
How are MOHRE Labor Quotas calculated?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) calculates
quotas based on the physical size of your office. Generally, the ratio is one visa per 100
square feet of office space. PRO services can help apply for quota increases by providing
justification for manpower requirements.
Step-by-step process for MOHRE Offer Letters?
The process begins with the employer applying for an offer letter via the
MOHRE portal. Once the employee signs the letter, it is uploaded for approval, which then allows
for the issuance of the preliminary work permit and the subsequent entry permit for the
employee.
Critical timeline for Labour Card (Work Permit) renewal?
Labour Cards are typically valid for two years. Renewal must be initiated
at least 30 days before expiry. Failure to renew on time results in daily fines and can lead to
the freezing of company operations within the MOHRE system.
What documents are needed for Trade License renewal?
To renew a trade license, you primary require a valid Tenancy Contract
(Ejari), a copy of the current license, and passports of all partners. Many Mainland renewals
also require a fresh inspection or updated external approvals depending on the specific
activity.
How to successfully reduce Immigration/Visa fines?
Visa fines can be reduced by filing a 'Grievance' petition to the General
Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA). PRO services specialized in fine
reduction can represent your case, often achieving significant waivers for overstays caused by
medical or technical reasons.
Official procedure for reporting absconding employees?
If an employee is missing for more than 7 consecutive days, the employer
must file an 'Absconding Report' with MOHRE and the GDRFA. This report legally protects the
company from liability and initiates the official cancellation process for the employee's work
permit.
What is MOFA Attestation and why is it required?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation is the mandatory final
step for validating foreign documents (Educational, Marriage, or Experience certificates) for
legal use in the UAE. It verifies the previous authenticity stamps from your home country’s
embassy or consulate, making the document legally acceptable for visa and business applications.
When do I need Legal Translation for documents?
Any document intended for use in UAE government departments that is not
written in Arabic must undergo Legal Translation. This translation must be performed by a
translator certified and licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to ensure the official
validity of the content.
How to apply for a UAE Good Conduct (Police Clearance) Certificate?
A UAE Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) can be obtained via the Dubai
Police website, app, or the Ministry of Interior (MOI) portal. Applicants require a valid
Emirates ID and must have their fingerprints on file. The certificate is typically issued within
24–48 hours and is valid for 3 to 6 months.
Can I use a foreign Power of Attorney (POA) in Dubai?
Yes, a foreign Power of Attorney can be used in the UAE, but it requires
a strict attestation chain: notarization in the country of origin, attestation by the UAE
Embassy in that country, and finally, attestation by MOFA in the UAE. It must also be legally
translated into Arabic for acceptance by local courts and banks.
What is Embassy Attestation vs MOFA Attestation?
Embassy Attestation happens in your home country (or at the consulate in
the UAE) and validates the authenticity of the local government's signature on a document. MOFA
Attestation is the subsequent step where the UAE's local ministry validates the embassy's stamp,
finalizing the document's legal status within the Emirates.
Process for Educational Certificate Equivalence from MOE?
Certificate Equivalence is a process by the UAE Ministry of Education
(MOE) to confirm that a degree from outside the UAE is equal to local standards. This is
mandatory for Golden Visa applications, government jobs, and specific high-level professional
work permits. It requires fully attested documents and sometimes verification directly from the
issuing university.
Where is your Dubai PRO & Business Setup office located?
Our main operations center is located in Al Baraha, Deira, Dubai. This
central location provides us with close proximity to key government departments, enabling us to
provide faster document clearing and PRO services for our clients across the Emirate.
What are your official office hours?
Our office is open for client consultations and document submission from
Monday to Saturday, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays and official UAE
public holidays, though our online support remains active for urgent inquiries.
Accepted Payment Methods for Government Fees & Services?
We accept a wide range of payment methods, including Cash, Bank Transfers
(local and international), and Credit/Debit Card payments. For business setup packages, we also
accept Corporate Cheques, ensuring a flexible and transparent billing process for our corporate
clients.
What is the typical processing time for a Dubai Visa?
On average, a Residency Visa in Dubai takes 5 to 7 working days to
process, from the entry permit to the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics. However,
Mainland business licenses can often be issued within 24 to 48 hours for most commercial
activities.
Cancellation & Refund Policy for PRO Services?
Government fees paid to departments (DED, MOHRE, GDRFA) are strictly
non-refundable once the process has started. Our service fees are partially refundable depending
on the stage of processing completed at the time of the cancellation request. We maintain full
transparency regarding all fee breakdowns.
Do you offer 'Express' or Urgent Service for fine clearing?
Yes, we provide an 'Urgent Service' track for critical tasks such as visa
fine reductions, absconding report clearing, and emergency license renewals. These services
prioritize your application with the relevant authorities for a nominal priority fee,
significantly reducing standard wait times.