Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

I have a current business in UK and wish to open a similar
office in Dubai and wish to know what I can do from this end (UK)
and what I need to bring over as when I come over time will be limited
and do not want to waste my and others time

Could anyone help with answers to the following;

I need to gain licence for new business?
if so where do I start & should this be a free zone and can I do this from uk
If I do succed in new business application do I still need working visa
or is this included in initial application?
Should I use an agency to ensure this application is conducted correctly?
If I can set up business offshore can I borrow to purchase property?
Medical Insurance should be undertaken in UK or UAE?
Any other hints would be appreciated

Lots of information is available if you care to use search function, also the posting of a yahoo e-mail when you state that you have an existing business does not necessarily help your cause.

Thank you for you reply but your forum is extremely large and me being a novice cannot find the exact answers I am looking for - is there any particualar page I should look at?

scotontour wrote:I have a current business in UK and wish to open a similar
office in Dubai and wish to know what I can do from this end (UK)
and what I need to bring over as when I come over time will be limited
and do not want to waste my and others time

Could anyone help with answers to the following;

I need to gain licence for new business?

Yes

if so where do I start & should this be a free zone and can I do this from uk

Yes you can start the process from the UK, depends on what free zone you are going to be based in each has a different way to apply but all of them you will be able to communicate via email and phone.

If I do succed in new business application do I still need working visa
or is this included in initial application?

This will be part of your license package. Keep in mind you have to have office space to get a license in dubai, and the number of visas you will be allocated will be linked to the office space you have. For example if you rent out a desk in a freezone you will get one visa, if you rent a small office you might get 2-3 visas and so on.

Should I use an agency to ensure this application is conducted correctly?

You can do that, however you can also do the process yourself too most of the freezones sites and employees will be happy to help you.

If I can set up business offshore can I borrow to purchase property?

offshore where ? and purchase property where ?

Medical Insurance should be undertaken in UK or UAE?

If your UK medical insurance covers you in the UAE then you should be okay.

Any other hints would be appreciated

You didnt mention what is the type of business you want to operate but you should pick a freezone that is aligned with your business and then visit there site and contact them. Best of luck.