PROXPAT successfully guided a first-time entrepreneur through a complex Dubai Mainland business setup for a Technical Services LLC, including NOC acquisition, licensing, VAT registration, and processing 12 employee visas from start to finish.
The challenge
Mr. Kayyum Saifi wanted to establish his own Technical Services company in Dubai but had limited knowledge of UAE business setup procedures, licensing requirements and the different legal structures available to entrepreneurs.
There was also an additional consideration because the client was already working in the UAE under another employer. Before proceeding with his own business setup, the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed to be coordinated with his existing employer.
The client also did not have a clear understanding of which activities should be included in the company's trade license. His requirement was to establish a Technical Services business that could cover several related areas of work rather than limiting the company to a single technical activity.
In addition to establishing the company, the client planned to build a workforce for the new business and required assistance with employee visa processing after the company became operational.
How PROXPAT approached it
PROXPAT provided end-to-end Business Setup and PRO support, coordinating the major stages of the company formation and subsequent employee onboarding process.
1. NOC Coordination and Business Structure
The first step was to coordinate the required NOC from the client's existing employer because Mr. Kayyum Saifi was already working in the UAE under another company.
Once this requirement was addressed, we discussed the available business structures with the client, including the difference between a Sole Establishment and an LLC. After explaining the key differences, the client selected the LLC structure for his proposed Technical Services business.
2. Business Activity Selection
The client initially had limited knowledge of the specific licensing activities required for his business. Rather than asking him to select technical activities without guidance, PROXPAT reviewed his intended operations and identified relevant activities through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) licensing system.
The selected activities covered several areas relevant to Technical Services, including electrical fittings and fixtures, air-conditioning and ventilation systems, electromechanical works, plumbing and sanitary installation, floor and wall tiling, carpentry and wood flooring, wallpaper fixing, false ceiling and light partition installation, plaster works and related building services.
The final license included the activities selected according to the client's intended business operations and the applicable DET licensing requirements.
3. Trade Name Reservation and Initial Approval
After finalizing the business structure and activities, PROXPAT proceeded with the company name reservation and Initial Approval application through DET.
The client provided the required information and documentation, including passport details, contact information, proposed company names, partner information and available UAE identification and visa documents.
The name reservation and Initial Approval applications were approved within approximately two days in this particular case.
4. MOA Preparation and Signing
Once the Initial Approval was obtained, PROXPAT proceeded with the Memorandum of Association (MOA) requirements applicable to the LLC structure.
The required MOA formalities were coordinated with the client, including the signing process at the relevant DET location in Dubai Mall.
This allowed the company formation process to proceed to the next stage.
5. Office Space and Ejari Coordination
For the company's physical office requirement, PROXPAT connected the client with a property broker to assist with finding suitable office premises and completing the Ejari registration.
Once the Ejari documentation was completed, the required documents were submitted for the final licensing stage.
6. Final DET Licensing and Trade License Issuance
After the Ejari was completed, PROXPAT coordinated the final DET licensing stage and obtained the payment voucher for the company's trade license.
For this particular company, the government licensing payment voucher was issued at AED 15,597. The applicable licensing fees can vary depending on the company's activities, structure and other licensing factors, so the amount shown here relates specifically to this client's case.
After the client completed the required payment, the Dubai Mainland Trade License for Kayyum Saifi Technical Services LLC was issued.
7. Establishment Card and MOHRE File
Following issuance of the trade license, PROXPAT immediately proceeded with the company's post-license requirements.
We coordinated the Establishment Card application through Immigration and, after the relevant approval, proceeded with opening the company's MOHRE file and completing the e-signature requirements needed for employment-related applications.
The MOHRE company setup process was completed within approximately two to three days in this particular case.
8. VAT Registration Support
After the company setup, PROXPAT also supported the client with the VAT registration process through the Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax platform based on the company's applicable tax requirements.
The relevant company and supporting documents were prepared for the VAT registration process, including the trade license, company documents, identification documents and other information required by the Federal Tax Authority.
9. Employee Quota and Recruitment Documentation
Once the company was ready to proceed with employee sponsorship, PROXPAT checked the available employee quota.
The initial quota available to the company was six employees. The client therefore proceeded with hiring workers from India, and the required employee documentation was collected, including scanned passport copies and clear photographs.
For each employee, PROXPAT also collected the required employment information, including the proposed position, salary structure, probation period, notice period, weekly day off and other applicable employment conditions.
10. MOHRE Offer and Employment Processing
After collecting the employee information, PROXPAT prepared the required MOHRE employment offer documentation and submitted the relevant applications.
The process included the applicable labour-related insurance and fee requirements and preparation of the employment documentation required for the visa process.
11. Outside Entry Permit
For employees who were outside the UAE, PROXPAT proceeded with the relevant employment entry permit applications.
The required documentation included the employee's passport copy, photograph, establishment card documentation and the relevant company and sponsor information.
In this case, the outside entry permit fee was approximately AED 475 per application based on the application processed at the time.
Employees who are already inside the UAE follow a different process where applicable, including change-of-status procedures. For employees entering from outside the UAE in this case, the outside entry permit route was used.
12. Medical Fitness Process
After the employees entered the UAE, PROXPAT coordinated their medical fitness applications.
The employees were required to attend the medical fitness centre specified in their applications, where the required medical examinations, including blood testing and X-ray procedures, were completed.
The medical fitness result was generally issued within approximately two to three days in this case, subject to the medical centre and authority processing.
13. Emirates ID Applications
After the medical process, PROXPAT proceeded with the Emirates ID applications for the employees.
The application documentation included the employee's passport copy, photograph, contact details, medical fitness result, delivery address and approved entry permit documentation, as applicable.
14. Visa Issuance and Stamping
Once the relevant immigration and medical requirements were completed, PROXPAT coordinated the remaining visa issuance and stamping procedures for the employees.
The required documents were prepared and submitted as part of the employee residence visa process.
15. Tawjeeh for Applicable Workers
For employees falling under the applicable unskilled worker categories, PROXPAT also coordinated the required Tawjeeh process.
The Tawjeeh requirement can be completed through the applicable online or authorised centre process depending on the circumstances. For this case, the applicable centre-based Tawjeeh fee was approximately AED 152.
What happened
The Dubai Mainland Trade License for Kayyum Saifi Technical Services LLC was successfully issued, allowing the client to proceed with his planned Technical Services business in Dubai.
Following the company's incorporation, PROXPAT also completed the required post-license support, including the Establishment Card process and MOHRE company file setup required for employee sponsorship.
The company then proceeded with its workforce requirements. PROXPAT supported the client through the employee onboarding and visa process, with a total of 12 employee visas processed for the business.
The engagement therefore covered the client's requirements from the initial business planning stage through company incorporation, post-license setup and workforce visa processing.
This case reflects the specific circumstances, documentation and authority requirements applicable to this client. Government procedures, fees, processing times and approval requirements may vary depending on the applicant, business activity and applicable regulations at the time of application.
This case study describes one client's individual experience. Eligibility, documentation requirements, processing times and approvals are determined by the relevant UAE authority and vary by case. PROXPAT prepares and coordinates applications; it does not guarantee any outcome or timeline.