Do you need l local sponsor for your business in Dubai?

Local Partner, Sponsor or Service Agent

A local sponsor in Dubai refers to a nominee shareholder or local service agent, Usually for mainland companies, Therefore The local sponsor must be an Emirati individual or a company whose shareholders are UAE nationals 100%

And as per the UAE commercial companies law and UAE civil law

To start a mainland LLC or professional company in Dubai and UAE you must have a local partner or local service agent, Besides, the local partner should have 51% in mainland LLC companies

But a side agreement along with the MOA can be made to protect the rights of the foreign partners,

In the side agreement, the local sponsor waives any rights to the capital or profits of the company.

Now onto the all-important question, do you need one?

Well, if you wish to conduct commercial, industrial or trading activities in the UAE mainland then the answer is usually yes. However, there are a few exceptions

As we’ve established, professional services businesses do not require local sponsorship– and neither do branch or representative offices

Branch and representative offices of existing foreign businesses can be 100% foreign owned and are set up through a local services agent.

It is important to note, however, that neither of these business types is standalone

They do not have a separate legal identity and are extensions of their foreign parent company.

While branch and representative offices are similar in many respects

There is one clear distinction: branch offices may engage in commercial activity in the UAE mainland and earn profits

Though they must only conduct activities similar to that of its parent company

A representative office on the other hand, can’t earn profits in the UAE

And must limit its activities to marketing and promoting its foreign parent’s products and services.

The local sponsor does not have any involvement in the business daily activities except for helping in obtaining permits

Such as trade license, visas & other official paperwork, and claims only annual fixed fees.

Dubai Mainland Company Formation

A Mainland or Onshore Company is a legal entity, Which is registered under the Department of Economic Development in Dubai

Investors mostly prefer Dubai for its excellent location, besides it’s one of the Fastest Growing Markets in the World.

In reality, Starting a mainland company in Dubai can be complicated, Without the right experience.

First, We have to select the activity, To know the type of license, And estimate the required time to issue it

Next, We have to quickly issue the initial approval and the trade name

Also, we have to prepare an MOA or LSA agreement, in order to attest it by the Notary Public in Dubai

Additionally, We have to get the tenancy contract

Then we have to submit the papers to DED

And finally will get the Trade License.

Paso Corporate Services is a professional business setup company based in Dubai, Originally found to help entrepreneurs and investors establish and expand their businesses in Dubai and UAE