
Launching a
company in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is an excellent idea for taking advantage of highly attractive tax benefits - allowing you to develop your business under the best possible conditions.
But before starting all the registration procedures, you want to be certain that Dubai allows you to create a company as you wish. For example, so that your business can develop properly, you want to have the option of renting an office: to meet clients or allow your employees to work in good conditions.
But is it possible to have
a physical office in Dubai? Are there any restrictions? We will answer these questions in this article.
What type of company can rent an office?
Good news! Even if you are an entrepreneur from another country, you can absolutely
rent an office in the United Arab Emirates. But be careful: for this to be possible, you must have chosen the right status for your company in Dubai.
With freelance status, you will not be able to rent an office, even a shared one. On the other hand, if you choose a free-zone or mainland company, there is no problem - it is even highly recommended!
However, there are some restrictions:
- With a mainland company, you have plenty of options: you can establish your business wherever you wish in Dubai, as well as anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates.
- With a free-zone company, things are different. You will only be able to rent an office in a free zone. Be careful, as some are more reputable than others: this may not seem important, but to maintain a good standing with the authorities, it is preferable to choose an office in a well-regarded free zone.
Is it better to choose a shared or private office?
You will have 2 options:
- Renting a shared office: also called a flex office, a shared office is located in an open-plan space. If you choose this option, your company will not have a dedicated office, with a plaque at the building entrance and utility bills (water, electricity, telephone, etc.). This office may only be used by the company's partner.
- Renting a private office: unlike a shared office, this is a genuine office. All partners and employees can use it. This is a good solution if you wish to obtain utility bills, the famous utility bills that can be used to prove that you have a genuine address in the United Arab Emirates.
Are you hesitating between renting
shared or private premises in Dubai? Here is our advice:
- If you only need an office for yourself and want to keep costs down, a shared office is a good solution.
- However, if you have employees, it is preferable to choose a private office. The cost is higher (although this depends greatly on the building's location), but it demonstrates credibility to your clients and the authorities. Since you will have bills available, you will be able to prove the economic substance of your company in Dubai and therefore legally benefit from the tax advantages of the United Arab Emirates.
How do you choose the size of your premises in Dubai?
Whether you decide to choose a
private or shared office, pay attention to its floor area! The size of the office affects the number of residence visas the company can obtain. Put simply, the larger the office, the more visas you can obtain.
Packages tailored to your company's needs in Dubai
At Merritt Middle East, we know that not all
companies in Dubai have the same needs. And we understand that it is not easy for a foreign entrepreneur to find premises to rent in the United Arab Emirates.
That is why we include
office rental in Dubai in some of our packages.
For a shared office, you will need to choose the Start-up, Solo, or Duo package. For a private office, you should instead consider the Trio or Quatro packages.
Do you not know which package to choose? Will you need a large number of visas? In that case, the simplest option is to contact us: we can review your needs with you, allowing us to advise you as effectively as possible.