A Step-by-Step Guide with PRO Services

Establishing a company in Abu Dhabi is very rewarding.  However, setting up a business in Abu Dhabi is often quite daunting, especially a mainland business. That is where the process and the importance of the PRO service have to be understood.

Mainland Business Setup Abu Dhabi: How to Comprehend It

A company based on the mainland will allow carrying on unrestricted business activities inside the UAE and also outside the UAE. Where, on the other hand, in a free zone, companies just can operate within their designated areas, and Abu Dhabi mainland companies can trade all over UAE and internationally without any restriction. 

Why Choose Abu Dhabi for Mainland Business Setup?

Capital of UAE is Abu Dhabi. This is a multi-industry nexus. Oil and gas, tourism, real estate development and financial services are among the industries. The city has a stable political environment. It also provides excellent transport infrastructure and laws that are good for businesses. Therefore doing business in Abu Dhabi mainland is attractive due to several government initiatives towards economic diversification.

There are several benefits of a mainland business setup Abu Dhabi such as getting access to the local market. Businesses can communicate with their clients directly, submit proposals for state projects and trade freely in the UAE by using a mainland license. 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Mainland Business in Abu Dhabi

Here’s a detailed guide to Mainland Business setup Abu Dhabi:

1. Choose the Right Business Activity

The first step is the selection of your business activity. The government of UAE has an exhaustive list of activities that are permitted, and anyone that you choose must be in line with your business goals. Your choice of activity will also be important in knowing the type of license to obtain. 

2. Choose a Legal Structure

This will entail determining the kind of legal composition your enterprise should adopt. Companies on the mainland in Abu Dhabi frequently choose either Limited Liability Corporations (LLC), Sole Establishments or Foreign Branches as their legal entities. Among these, LLC is mostly preferred because it is more versatile and has a form of immunity against debts.

3. Get a Local Sponsor

Most of the mainland business setup Abu Dhabi require a local sponsor. He should be owning 51% shares of the company. The sponsor can be an individual or a corporate entity. You must choose a highly reliable sponsor because such a sponsor will extend ample support to your business regarding your business operation. However, in recent times, the UAE has made changes to the business laws of the country, allowing 100 percent foreign ownership over select business activities. Therefore, this aspect should be looked into again.

4. Reserve a Trade Name

The reserving of a trade name would be the next mainland business setup procedure in Abu Dhabi once the identification of your business activity and legal structure has been determined. It should be unique and follow the naming convention of the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, the DED approves the trade names. An application can be made online.

5. Initial Approval

Once you have reserved your trade name, you will need to get Initial approval from DED. This is the no-objection approval provided by the government for your business activity. This is one of the major steps towards mainland business setup Abu Dhabi. 

6. Draft the Memorandum of Association (MOA)

MOA is a very fundamental document. It contains the structure of the corporation, ownership, and operational guidelines. It falls under one of the legality requirements controlling the mainland business setup Abu Dhabi. This should be drafted according to the laws of the UAE and be signed by the shareholders. It will be worth seeking legal help to ensure this document is comprehensive and accurate.

7. Lease Office Space

Setting up the mainland business in Abu Dhabi requires renting an office. According to UAE law, every mainland company shall have a physical office within the emirate. The size and location depend on the nature of the business activity. Such a lease agreement should be registered with the relevant authorities.

8. Submit Documents and Obtain License

After gathering all the documents required, such as MOA, lease agreement, and first approval, you can consider applying at DED. The said DED will evaluate this and grant a license to the concerned department. This license is the final step towards legally commencing your operations for the Mainland Business Setup Abu Dhabi. 

The Role of PRO Services in Mainland Business Setup

This can be a bit complicated when foreign entrepreneurs, who are not very conversant with local regulations, try to get their businesses set up in Abu Dhabi. This is where PRO services come into play. PRO stands for Public Relations Officer services, which include handling all the governmental documentation and procedures on behalf of the business.

1. What Do PRO Services Include?

The PRO services are a broad range of activities that are essentially used for the setup of mainland business in Abu Dhabi. The following are included in the PRO services:

• Visa Processing: The PRO services assist in applying for the employees’ and investors’ visas and those of dependants by following the immigration laws of the UAE.
• Document Clearing: The PRO services assist in submitting and clearing the legal documents to be presented for business setup in the case of trade licenses, permits, and registrations.
• Government Liaison: The PRO services act as a liaison between the business and various government departments, making the process easy and ensuring that it’s on time.
• Renewals and Updates: Such PRO services also undertake renewals of business licenses, visas, and other permits, keeping your business compliant with UAE laws.

2. Benefits of Using PRO Services

One can avail of several benefits from using PRO services when setting up a business on the mainland in Abu Dhabi:

• Time-Efficiency: PRO services save time by handling the load of heavy and time-consuming paperwork involved in business setup.
• Compliance Assurance: Knowledge of UAE regulations by PRO professionals helps your business conform to all the requirements of the law, hence minimizing the consequences of fines and delays. 
• Cost-Effective: There is some expenditure involved in acquiring the services of a PRO. However, it ultimately saves money because such service providers avoid many costly mistakes and hence ensure that the setup process is finished with efficiency.