Business setup in Dubai for Pakistani nationals

Business setup in Dubai for Pakistani nationals

Pakistani founders are one of the biggest groups starting companies in Dubai. In 2025, 9,138 new Pakistani companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, second only to India, according to the Chamber's own figures. If you are thinking about it too, this page covers the parts that are specific to your passport and your paperwork, so you can plan properly before you spend a dirham.

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Guide

Entering the UAE on a Pakistani passport

We advise in English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, so you can talk it through in the language you think in. There is also a full Urdu version of our site at /ur/.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Pakistan as visa required, so in most cases you apply for a visa before you travel. Visitors who are not eligible for visa on arrival or visa-free entry need a visa, such as a tourist visa, which is applied for through ICP or GDRFA. Rules and lists change, so check current entry rules with the UAE embassy or ICP before travel. All visas are subject to authority approval.

The good news is that you do not always need to be in Dubai to start. Some free zones, such as Meydan Free Zone, say you can form the company remotely, and you travel later for the residence visa medical, Emirates ID biometrics and bank meetings.

Once your company is licensed, you can apply for a residence visa through it. One option for investors and partners is the 5 year Green visa, which does not need a separate sponsor and lets you sponsor your family, subject to approval. Higher value investors can also look at the Golden Visa and test their profile with our Golden Visa eligibility check. For bringing your spouse and children, see family visa.

Guide

Attesting your Pakistani documents

This is where many Pakistani applicants lose time. For a personal shareholder, a passport copy is usually enough to form the company. Attestation becomes important for:

  • marriage and birth certificates, when you sponsor your family
  • educational degrees, for certain visa or professional licence routes
  • documents of a Pakistani parent company, if a company (not you personally) will be the shareholder
  • powers of attorney signed in Pakistan

The UAE Embassy in Islamabad states that Pakistan issued documents "must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan" first. After that, one digital application through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (using UAE Pass) covers both the UAE Embassy in Islamabad and the UAE MoFA. The original documents are returned to you by courier. Laminated documents cannot be attested, so keep originals unlaminated, and if you use apostilles, each document must be apostilled on its own.

Pakistan's MOFA now runs its own online and apostille services. The UAE Embassy page does not say an apostille replaces MOFA attestation for UAE use, so check the current attestation route with the UAE embassy before relying on one. Our company formation document checklist lists what each route needs.

Guide

Banking in the UAE as a Pakistani founder

Every UAE bank sets its own risk appetite and asks for the same core things from every applicant: who owns the company, what it does, where the money comes from and who the customers and suppliers are. Your nationality is one data point among many. What really moves an application is a clear business model and clean paperwork.

What helps Pakistani founders in practice:

  • a licence activity that matches what you actually do
  • a short business plan with named target markets
  • proof of source of funds, for example Pakistani bank statements, a sale deed or salary history
  • a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, which many banks prefer before opening
  • a physical or flexi office where the bank expects one

All accounts are subject to bank approval. Before you apply, run our UAE bank account readiness check and read our 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. That background shapes how we prepare your file.

Guide

Tax: the UAE Pakistan double tax agreement

The UAE and Pakistan have a double taxation avoidance agreement. The UAE Ministry of Finance list shows it was signed on 7 February 1993 and entered into force on 20 November 2000.

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

The big question is your personal tax residency in Pakistan. Moving to Dubai does not automatically end it. Please speak to a tax adviser in Pakistan about residency rules and how the treaty applies to you before you start trading.

Guide

Sending money home and moving capital

The UAE does not publish general currency controls on its official banking page, and licensed exchange houses handle international transfers in AED and foreign currencies. Profits are usually paid to shareholders as dividends from the company account, then transferred like any other remittance.

The other direction needs care. If you are funding the UAE company from Pakistan, the State Bank of Pakistan Foreign Exchange Manual sets the rules for residents investing abroad, and some routes need SBP's prior permission. Ask your Pakistani bank which route applies before you transfer.

Guide

Which structure suits common Pakistani founder profiles

General trading and import export. Many Pakistani founders trade textiles, rice, surgical goods, auto parts or building materials. A free zone trading licence works for international trade. If you will sell to UAE customers directly, consider mainland, or a free zone company with Dubai's new Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit, which currently covers trading, consultancy, technology and professional services.

IT services and software houses. A free zone such as IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, SPC Free Zone or RAKEZ usually suits remote teams and foreign clients.

Consultancy and professional services. Free zone for international clients; mainland if your clients are UAE government or local companies that require a mainland supplier.

E-commerce. A free zone e-commerce licence works for most online sellers. Check whether you need a UAE warehouse.

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

Guide

Step by step

  1. Free call to agree activity, jurisdiction and visa count.
  2. Choose a trade name and get initial approval.
  3. Send passport copy, photo and, if needed, attested documents.
  4. Sign the incorporation documents (often digitally).
  5. Licence issued, then establishment card.
  6. Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence visa.
  7. Corporate bank account application.
  8. Register for corporate tax, and VAT if required.

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

Common Questions

FAQ

Can a Pakistani national own 100% of a company in Dubai?

Yes. In free zones and for most mainland activities, a Pakistani national can own 100% of the company, with exceptions only for certain strategic activities.

Not always. Some free zones let you form the company remotely, but you will need to visit for the residence visa medical, Emirates ID and usually the bank.

Mainly marriage and birth certificates, degrees, parent company documents and powers of attorney. They go to Pakistan's MOFA first, then one UAE digital application covers the UAE Embassy and UAE MoFA.

Yes, a double taxation avoidance agreement signed in 1993 is on the UAE Ministry of Finance list. Speak to a tax adviser in Pakistan about how residency rules apply to you.

Yes, Pakistani founders open UAE business accounts every day, subject to bank approval. Strong source of funds evidence and a clear business model matter more than anything else.

Yes, once you hold a UAE residence visa through your company you can apply to sponsor your spouse and children, subject to approval. You will usually need attested marriage and birth certificates.

Guide

Talk it through with us

Tell us what you trade or sell, and we will tell you which licence fits and what it really involves. WhatsApp us on +971 50 158 5088, or book a free call: https://calendly.com/imranmirza_ae/30min. You can also visit our office at Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, or use our contact page. More background on the general process is on 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.