Many people ignore Fujairah, preferring Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but entrepreneurs know it has many benefits. Its position along the seaside and welcoming business policies are helping Fujairah become a hidden source of new companies in the UAE.
Getting your trade license is the primary (and most crucial) thing you must do if you’re starting a company in the UAE. We’ll take you through the trade license process step by step, avoiding any complicated explanations.
Why Should You Start Your Business in Fujairah?
Before starting the documents, I’d like to explain why getting involved with Fujairah for starting your business is beneficial.
- You won’t Pay Taxes: There is no corporate income tax or personal income tax.
- In Free Zones, you have the option to own 100% of the business as a foreigner.
- There are lower setup costs than in other Emirates.
- Easy Access: Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean—a great advantage for ships.
- Easier to Comply with: Less paperwork, faster answers from authorities.
Many find Fujairah a perfect choice for an inexpensive introduction to the UAE market.
Trade Licenses Classifications in Fujairah or types of licenses in Fujairah
What your business does will affect the trade license you must have. Let’s talk about the primary ways to give money to friends.
- Commercial License – Allowed for purchases and sales.
Service-based companies (consulting and education services) should have a professional license.
- Industrial License – Needed for starting a business in manufacturing or industry.
- For agencies offering tours, hotels, and similar companies: Tourism License.
Choose wisely. Every license has separate guidelines, and the necessary approvals are required.
The Guide to Getting a Trade License in Fujairah
It’s time to move things forward. These are the guidelines for turning your ideas into legitimate operations in Fujairah.
Step 1: The very first step is to choose your business activity.
The foundation should be clear. Decide in advance what your company will offer to customers. As a result, you’ll find out the kind of license you need and the authorities involved. This is a crucial step as the activities must be mentioned in the trade license.
Step 2: The next thing to do is choose between the Mainland and the Free Zone.
Mainland:
- Let’s you make trades easily all over the UAE.
- Part of running an accounting business is having a place to work as an office.
- Some processes may need a nearby service agent to be involved.
Free Zone:
There are no restrictions; businesses pay no customs duties for imports and exports.
Both the operational activities and exports from the Free Zone can be made strictly outside the country or internationally.
Allows flexible means of office use with flexi-desks or virtual offices.
If your clients are mostly international or deal with e-commerce, set up in a Free Zone. When your customers are located in the UAE, you should consider registering in the Mainland.
Step 3: Reserve Your Trade Name
This step is mandatory and pretty straightforward:
- The name must reflect your business activity.
- Avoid religious or political terms.
- It must be unique and not already registered.
Once approved, you’ll get a trade name certificate. This is a green light to proceed with licensing.
Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents
Here’s your basic checklist:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Recent utility bill or tenancy contract (as proof of address)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC), if applicable
- A brief business plan
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) or a local agent agreement
Make sure your documents are valid, clear, and if needed, translated into Arabic.
Step 5: Lease an Office Space
Depending on your jurisdiction:
- Mainland requires a physical office. The size may also affect how many employee visas you can apply for.
- Free Zones offer co-working desks, shared spaces, or small private offices.
Choose what suits your business size and budget.
Step 6: Submit Application and Pay Fees
Now that you’ve got your documents and office space sorted, it’s time to submit your license application to either:
- The Department of Economic Development (DED) – for Mainland setups
- The Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA) – for Free Zone businesses
Pay the relevant fees (more on costs below), and wait for approval. The timeline is usually between 3 to 7 business days.
Step 7: Collect Your Trade License
Upon being approved by the local organization, you’ll get your official trade license. You have the right to do business in Fujairah. It’s time to begin working!
What is the Price for a trade license in Fujairah?
Here’s roughly what your experience may be like:
AED 10,000 – AED 20,000 is required for the Trade License Fee, which varies by business and jurisdiction.
- Registering a Trade Name: ~AED 1,000
- Ejari (Office Lease Registration): ~USD 545
- Processing a visa costs between AED 3,000 and AED 5,000
These numbers are typical. The money you spend will depend on your business model, office size and how many shareholders you have.
A trade license in Fujairah can be arranged through FAR Consulting Middle East.
Especially, if you’re aiming for a cost-effective and hassle-free way into the UAE, going for Fujairah would be the right decision. Don’t try to wriggle out of it. Your project can be delayed by weeks if you make just one mistake while completing a step.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we support entrepreneurs and SMEs as they begin their operations in Fujairah and throughout the UAE. Our team can help with licensing, visa applications, and every other aspect in between.
So, are You Ready to Start a Company in Fujairah?
At our company, we aim to make running your business easier. Talk to FAR Middle East now for free advice and support in creating your ideal plan.