1. Why Dubai is Ideal for Indian Entrepreneurs
Dubai continues to be a magnet for Indian entrepreneurs looking to scale globally due to:
- 100% foreign ownership in Free Zones and selected mainland sectors
- Zero personal and corporate tax, plus 100% profit repatriation
- Strategic location between East & West, world-class infrastructure, and a thriving SME ecosystem
2. Choose Your Business Activity & Structure
Start by choosing your:
- Business Activity – E.g., e-commerce, consulting, trading, tech, etc.
- Structure –
- Free Zone: Ideal for 100% ownership
- Mainland: Best for targeting UAE local market
- Offshore: For holding, investment or international trade
Learn more about Free Zone vs Mainland company options on our platform.
3. Reserve a Trade Name & Get Initial Approvals
- Choose 3–5 unique trade name options
- Apply for initial approvals from DED (Department of Economic Development) or the chosen Free Zone authority
- Avoid using restricted or religious terms
4. Prepare Legal Documents & Business Plan
- Draft your MOA, AOA, shareholder structure
- Submit attested copies of passports, address proof, and business plans
- If you’re applying from India, ensure documents are UAE Embassy attested and MoFA-approved
Use our Document Assistance Service to speed things up.
5. Choose Office Space & Finalize Lease
Depending on the jurisdiction:
- Free Zones offer flexi-desks, co-working offices, or dedicated spaces
- Mainland requires Ejari-registered tenancy contracts
- Lease agreement must be submitted with your license application
6. Apply for Trade License
Apply for your:
- Commercial License – For trading or e-commerce
- Professional License – For consultancy or tech services
- Industrial License – For manufacturing or packaging units
LCE assists with all three types. Check our Trade License Plans for cost and timelines.
7. Open a Corporate Bank Account
Post-license, choose from top banks like Emirates NBD, ADCB, or RAK Bank. Submit:
- Trade license
- Passport copies
- Office lease
- Business plan
- Utility bills
Tip: Provide a clear financial projection to avoid account rejection.
8. Apply for UAE Visas
You can apply for:
- Investor Visa (valid for 2–10 years)
- Employee Visas (based on office size and license type)
Costs vary from AED 3,500–6,000 per person. We offer Visa Processing Services.
9. Budgeting – What Will It Cost?
| Component | Estimated Cost (AED) |
| Trade Name & Approval | 700–1,000 |
| Business License | 10,000–14,000 |
| Flexi Desk (Free Zone) | 4,000–7,000 |
| Investor Visa | 3,500–6,000 |
| Bank Setup | FREE with LCE Package |
10. Comply & Scale Smartly
- Renew trade license, visa, and lease annually
- Keep financial records (some zones require audits)
- Explore Golden Visa, funding, and accelerator programs in UAE
- Consider expansion via multi-zone approach
Start with LCE’s Growth Advisory to explore expansion or funding post-launch.
Dubai is Ready. Are You?
Join hundreds of Indian entrepreneurs who trusted LCE to go global.
100% Ownership | Custom Business Plans | Full Visa Support
Start Your Setup Journey Today – support@lcecosystem.com
