GLOBAL OFFICE is specializing on company formation in all UAE Free Zones. Our services range from Virtual Office and E-Office set ups for individuals and small companies to full set ups in Dubai for mid to large sized companies. We provide all the services necessary to get legally established as a business in the UAE.

Setting up a Dubai virtual office can be confusing. There are basically 2 types of virtual office options – one is just a marketing address, the other is a full business set up.

Virtual Office in a Business Center – Marketing Address

This is simply getting a marketing address in one of the many Dubai business centers and using PO box and secretarial services on a monthly basis. This type of Dubai virtual office does not entitle to a residence visa or corporate bank account. It is mostly used by people or companies who just want to put the name “Dubai” as a marketing tool and address on their PR material. Such an arrangement does not entitle to legally do business in the UAE.
Without valid business license that you can either get through a business set up in one of UAE’s plenty free zones or setting up with a local Emirati sponsor (LLC or professional company) you are not allowed to conduct any business in UAE. Companies who are seriously considering working with you will always ask for a valid business license. The business center type of virtual office set up will cost you from AED 450 per month onwards depending on the type and amount of services requested. This is just a virtual marketing address without physical space and no legal set up.

Virtual Office – E-Office – Flexi-Office set up – Full Business Set up

All of these terms are used interchangeably and seem to confuse a lot of investors. This set up is different from the above illustrated option. With this virtual office set up you get a proper business license, corporate bank account with online banking facility, cheque book and currency accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP, etc.). The investor can also apply for residence visa after successful completion of company registration.

The Dubai virtual office set up is licensed through Northern Emirates free zones only. Some of them maintain business centers in Dubai from where the investor can operate his/her business. Such a set up is considered a full business set up and usually requires a small business plan or project proposal. Some of the free zones who license this specific “small business” type of company formation in addition ask for proof of share capital, which ranges from AED 100,000 – 185.000 (one time).

Due to increased competition among free zones and investors becoming more cautious about spending money, the new trend among free zones is to waive share capital requirements altogether and only make them a figurative requirement during the set up process. Which means the investor does not physically have to show the share capital.

Costs for a Dubai virtual office – E-Office set up start at AED 20,000 p.a. plus visa fees of approx. AED 3,500 per person (for a 3-year visa).

If you wish to get more information on Dubai virtual office set up, please refer to our new E-Guide “UAE Fast Track Set up Guide” for more clarification or contact us for a quote or comprehensive initial (fee-based) consulting session.

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