How Long After DLD Property Registration Does the Golden Visa Take?
Quick Answer The Golden Visa investor service runs 7 to 10 working days once you submit your application. Property registration, meaning your title deed or Oqood contract, is the eligibility trigger, not the visa application itself. Your property, or combined properties, must be worth AED 2,000,000 or more and wholly owned in your name. Total […]
Can I Upgrade My 2-Year Property Visa to a 10-Year Golden Visa?
Yes, a mortgaged property can potentially qualify you for a UAE Golden Visa, but the rules depend on the emirate, the amount already paid toward the property, and the documents issued by your bank and property authority. For property investors in Dubai, this is particularly important because many buyers purchase residential or commercial property using […]
How to Start a Business in Ajman Free Zone in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
Summary Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) lets you register with 100% foreign ownership and no personal income tax. The official AFZ process runs in three stages: choose your business type, submit your application with documents, and then obtain your licence. Document needs differ by entity type. Individual applicants, branches, and free zone companies each submit a […]
How to Start an Import-Export Business in the UAE to Trade With China
Quick Answer A valid UAE trade licence covering a trading activity is required before importing goods from China for resale. Free zones suit re-export and sourcing hubs; mainland licences allow direct sales into the local UAE market without a distributor. The mainland formation sequence runs through nine official steps, from activity selection to final fee […]
Telecom Business Setup in UAE 2026: Lessons From Infrastructure Disruptions on Full-Service Continuity
At a Glance Most telecom founders don’t need a full TDRA network operator licence. Free zone ICT activities such as VoIP, SaaS, and IoT are the route most entrepreneurs actually use. Free zone ICT licences allow 100% foreign ownership, while a public telecommunications network licence is issued only to TDRA-approved operators. The March 2026 AWS […]
How to Start a Catering Business in Dubai, UAE: Licensing, Approvals, and Setup Steps
Quick Answer A catering business in Dubai needs a commercial trade licence from DET (Dubai Economy and Tourism) and a separate food-safety establishment approval from Dubai Municipality. Mainland structuring generally suits caterers serving events and clients across Dubai; free zone structuring suits corporate-only or confined-scope models. VAT registration becomes mandatory once annual taxable turnover exceeds […]
Is Dubai Silicon Oasis a Good Free Zone for Startups in 2026?
Key Highlights DSOA is a Dubai government free zone for tech, R&D, and innovation, established in 2004. DSOA suits hardware and tech manufacturing better than generic free zones but isn’t always the cheapest for services. IFZA is a separate authority on DSO’s grounds, not DSOA, with its own fee structure. DSOA has no fixed price […]
Can I Get a UAE Golden Visa if My Property Is Under Mortgage?
Yes, a mortgaged property can potentially qualify you for a UAE Golden Visa, but the rules depend on the emirate, the amount already paid toward the property, and the documents issued by your bank and property authority. For property investors in Dubai, this is particularly important because many buyers purchase residential or commercial property using […]
Dubai vs Ajman vs Sharjah: Which Free Zone Really Offers the Cheapest Business Setup?
Key Highlights A headline licence fee is never the real cost. Establishment cards, visa fees, medical tests, and Emirates ID charges all add on top in every jurisdiction. A free zone licence doesn’t travel across emirates. Trading on the mainland of a different emirate typically needs a separate permit, dual license, or mainland presence. The […]
Offshore Company Formation in the UAE 2026: Cost, Process, and What the Regional Conflict Actually Changed
Quick Answer A UAE offshore company is a non-resident holding vehicle that cannot trade in the UAE or sponsor visas. Formation cost depends on the registry: RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, or ADGM. RAK ICC lists incorporation at AED 3,250 and renewal at AED 3,950 for one year. Offshore companies fall within the corporate tax scope, […]