Business setup in Dubai for Indian nationals

Business setup in Dubai for Indian nationals

Indian founders start more new companies in Dubai than any other nationality. In 2025, 18,486 new Indian companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, according to the Chamber's own figures. Most of the general advice online is the same for everyone, though. This page focuses on what is different when you hold an Indian passport, Indian documents and Indian bank accounts.

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Guide

Entering the UAE on an Indian passport

We advise in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, and a Hindi version of our site is at /hi/.

Most Indian passport holders apply for a UAE visa before travelling, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists India as visa required. There is an exception. ICP, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, says Indian ordinary passport holders who hold a valid visa, residence permit or green card issued by the US, an EU member state or the UK, or a valid residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, can apply for a 14 day visa (extendable once) or a 60 day visa. The UAE government portal still describes the older, narrower version of this rule, so check current entry rules with the UAE embassy or ICP before travel. All visas are subject to authority approval.

Some free zones, such as Meydan Free Zone, say you can form the company remotely, and you can come to Dubai later for your residence visa medical, Emirates ID and bank meetings. Once licensed, you can apply for a residence visa through the company. Investors and partners can also look at the 5 year Green visa, which needs no separate sponsor and allows family sponsorship, subject to approval. If your investment or profile is larger, see Golden Visa and try our Golden Visa eligibility check. For your spouse and children, see family visa.

Guide

Attesting your Indian documents

India is part of the Apostille Convention, which confuses a lot of people. For UAE use, the UAE Embassy in New Delhi states that India issued documents "must be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs in the Republic of India" first. Its page does not mention an apostille as an alternative, so plan for MEA attestation unless the embassy confirms otherwise.

After MEA, one digital application on the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (with UAE Pass) covers both the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and the UAE MoFA. If you use apostilled documents, each one must be apostilled on its own, as bundles are not accepted. Check the current attestation route with the UAE embassy before you start. Powers of attorney must be signed before a notary in India before MEA attestation. If an Indian company will be the shareholder, its memorandum and articles must be attested separately.

You usually need attestation for marriage and birth certificates (family visa), degrees (some visa and professional routes), Indian parent company documents and powers of attorney. A personal shareholder normally starts with a passport copy. See our company formation document checklist.

Guide

Banking for Indian founders

UAE banks apply the same core checks to everyone: who owns the company, what it does, where the funds come from and who you deal with. Indian founders often have a strong advantage here, because Indian bank statements, ITRs and GST records give a clear paper trail. Use them.

What tends to help:

  • an activity on the licence that matches your real business
  • source of funds evidence, such as Indian bank statements, ITR acknowledgements or a property sale deed
  • invoices or contracts with existing clients
  • a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID before you apply, which many banks prefer

Every account is subject to bank approval. Start with our UAE bank account readiness check and bank account guide. Imran Mirza, Founder & CEO, was born and raised in the UAE, with 18+ years of professional working experience, including nearly seven years at Barclays and ADCB and 12 years in UAE business setup.

Guide

Tax: the UAE India double tax agreement

The UAE and India have a double taxation avoidance agreement, on the UAE Ministry of Finance list. It was signed on 29 April 1992, with protocols signed in 2007 and 2012.

On the UAE side, corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, per the Ministry of Finance. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions. See UAE corporate tax and VAT registration.

Your tax residence status in India, and where your company is actually managed from, both matter. If you keep running things from India, the answer may be very different from what you expect. Please speak to a tax adviser in India about residency rules before you start.

Guide

Funding the company and sending money home

From India, resident individuals can remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, and investments made under it must follow the Overseas Investment Rules and Regulations, 2022. Indian companies investing abroad have their own rules. Talk to your authorised dealer bank before you transfer share capital.

On the UAE side, the official banking page does not mention currency controls, and licensed exchange houses handle international transfers. Profits normally reach you as dividends from the company, then move home like any other transfer.

Guide

CEPA and trading with India

The UAE India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 May 2022. The UAE Ministry of Economy says UAE exports get tariff cuts or removal on more than 80% of products entering India. If you trade goods between the two countries, ask us how rules of origin affect your product before you choose your structure.

Guide

Which structure suits common Indian founder profiles

IT services, SaaS and agencies. A free zone such as IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, SPC Free Zone or RAKEZ suits most tech founders serving global clients.

General trading. Free zone for international trade; mainland if you sell directly to UAE customers. Dubai's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit now lets eligible free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence do certain trading, consultancy, technology and professional services work on the mainland.

Consultancy. Free zone for overseas clients, mainland for local government or corporate contracts.

E-commerce and D2C brands. A free zone e-commerce licence works for most online sellers.

Since 2021, foreign investors can own 100% of most mainland companies, with exceptions for strategic activities. See mainland vs free zone.

Guide

Step by step

  1. Free call to agree activity, jurisdiction and visa count.
  2. Trade name and initial approval.
  3. Passport copy, photo and any MEA attested documents.
  4. Sign incorporation documents.
  5. Licence and establishment card.
  6. Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, residence visa.
  7. Bank account application.
  8. Corporate tax registration, and VAT if needed.

Costs depend on the free zone, activity and visas. Packages are starting from the authority's published rates, so check current pricing in our cost calculator and cost of business setup in Dubai.

Common Questions

FAQ

Can an Indian national own 100% of a Dubai company?

Yes. In free zones and for most mainland activities, an Indian national can own the company fully, with exceptions only for certain strategic activities.

Only in specific cases. ICP says Indian ordinary passport holders with a valid US, EU or UK visa, residence permit or US green card, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, can apply for a 14 day or 60 day visa, subject to authority approval. Check current entry rules with the UAE embassy or ICP before travel.

Plan for MEA attestation. The UAE Embassy in New Delhi asks for MEA attestation first, then one digital UAE application covers the embassy and UAE MoFA.

Yes, signed in 1992 and amended by protocols in 2007 and 2012. Speak to a tax adviser in India about residency and where your company is managed.

Resident individuals can remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year under the RBI's LRS, following the Overseas Investment Rules. Confirm the route with your bank.

Yes, subject to bank approval. Clear source of funds and a well documented business model make the biggest difference.

Guide

Talk to us

Tell us what you want to build and we will map the right licence, visas and bank route. WhatsApp +971 50 158 5088 or book a free call: https://calendly.com/imranmirza_ae/30min. Our office is at Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, or reach us via contact. For the wider picture, read business setup in Dubai and free zones.

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Ready to Begin

Talk It Through
Before You Commit.

Book a free 30 minute consultation with Imran Mirza, Founder & CEO. We look at your plans and set out the right route, the documents and the costs in plain words. Licences, visas and bank accounts remain subject to authority and bank approval.

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Please note: Government fees, regulations and processing timelines are subject to change by the relevant authorities without prior notice. Please contact us for the latest requirements applicable to your case.