Yes, you read that right. This offer has been introduced by Masdar City, Abu Dhabi along with two other cost-effective packages that include a greater number of business activities permitted to be carried out under the same business license. The AED 1000 package allows for up to two business activities to be offered with a single business license. Although it does not come with a visa included as part of the package, it is meant primarily at those based outside the country who intend to offer online services in the United Arab Emirates and do not need a visa. Such services need only a Business License to legally operate in the country. It is also expected to benefit those who are already in the United Arab Emirates and wish to offer their services on a freelance basis during off-duty hours.
The other two packages are priced at AED 7000 and AED 12,000, but come with a visa. They respectively allow for up to four and five business activities to be carried out under the same business license. According to Abdulla Balalaa, who serves as the Executive Director of Masdar City, the move is aimed at promoting economic diversification and supporting the emirate’s sustainable development goals, while also empowering global talent at the same time.
Robin Philip,
Director for Assurance and Business Advisory at A&A Associate LLC notes that more than 50% of the business licenses applied for by his company’s clients are for e-commerce establishments.
Sharjah is also in the race. The Sharjah Publishing City free zone has come out with a package for AED 6500 that includes a Business License, a Lease Agreement, and the Memorandum of Association company formation documents. In short, you get to register your company, secure a business license to legally do business in the United Arab Emirates, and an office space to help you do the same. It is to be noted that this package does not come with a visa included, although you can upgrade at any time.
Salim Omar Salim, the Director of the Sharjah Publishing City, says that the limited-period offer, which was launched on World Entrepreneurs Day, is to strengthen the emirate’s status as an entrepreneur-friendly destination.