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Business Setup in Dubai Knowledge Village

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Background Information: Dubai Knowledge Village

Established in 2003, Dubai Knowledge Village is a Free Zone providing a common location for Human Resource Management, Consulting, Training, and Personal Development businesses. Universities from around the world have established their presence in the area and provide quality educational facilities for all nationalities. Several Executive Search firms have located to the region to be near the quality trained students from the many universities. The Dubai Knowledge Village Free Zone is administered by the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority and all business formation and licensing occurs under DCCA purview.

Business Formation and licensing (basic information)

There are three primary licensing options in Dubai Knowledge Village:

  • A Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) is a separate legal entity, operating for the benefit of its owner(s) and shareholder(s). This can be a shareholder-based entity or a single-owner business – The single owner can be a natural citizen or a corporate entity.
  • A branch of a foreign or a Local (UAE based) company is not a separate legal entity but operates as a dependent part of a parent company
  • A Freelancer license allows an individual to perform contracted work under his/her own name
    Licenses require leased facilities in the Free Zone Territory to provide a valid local physical address. License terms are one year, annually renewable.

Allowed Business Sectors

Applications are accepted from these business sectors:

  • Non-profit Professional Associations
  • Freelancers in any of several professional fields
  • Human Resources Consultants
  • Academic Service Providers
  • Research and Development
  • Linguistics
  • Assessment and testing
  • Content development
  • Executive search services
  • Human Resources Development

Hotels, leisure services and property management services are also allowed.

Business Formation Details and Requirements

I. Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) Non-corporate natural citizen applicant requirements:

  • The registration application. Applications are available from DCCA and must be completely filled out.
  • C.V. (resume) and passport copy for the applicant/shareholder
  • Bank Reference letter for the applicant
  • Proof of trade name registration – A name registration can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development (DED)
  • Proof of initial approval for business formation activities. This initial approval can be obtained through the DED.
  • Completed personal information sheet for the applicant/shareholder
  • Lease agreement specifying a physical address that meets minimum requirements
  • Proof of deposit of the minimum required capital – AED 50,000 (US$13,968 )
  • Power of attorney for your designated local agent

The local authority may request or require additional documents.

II. Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) Corporate shareholder-based applicant requirements:

  • The registration application. Applications are available from DCCA and must be completely filled out.
  • Proof of trade name registration – A name registration can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development (DED)
  • Proof of initial approval for business formation activities. This initial approval can be obtained through the DED.
  • Copies of shareholder passports
  • Passport copy and C.V. (resume) for the designated manager
  • Lease agreement specifying a physical address that meets minimum requirements
  • Notarized and attested (by the UAE Embassy in the origin country) Memorandum of Association and/or Articles of Association
  • A resolution from the board of directors of the parent company expressing the intent to establish a new business abroad. This must be notarized by the UAE Embassy in the origin country
  • A certificate of registration for the parent company from the registrar of businesses in the origin country. This may be a Certificate of Incorporation, a business license or other applicable documents notarized by the UAE Embassy
  • Proof of deposit of the minimum required capital – AED 50,000 (US$13,968 )
  • If a local agent is used (highly recommended) the designated agent must have power of attorney documents.

The local authority may request or require additional documents.

III. Application for Branch of a Foreign Company must include these documents:

  • The registration application. Applications are available from DCCA and must be completely filled out.
  • Proof of trade name registration – A name registration can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development (DED)
  • Proof of initial approval for business formation activities. This initial approval can be obtained through the DED.
  • Copies of shareholder passports
  • Passport copy and C.V. (resume) for the designated manager
  • A completed Personal Information Sheet for each shareholder and manager
  • Notarized and attested (by the UAE Embassy in the origin country) Memorandum of Association and/or Articles of Association
  • A resolution from the board of directors of the parent company expressing the intent to establish a Branch abroad. This must be notarized by the UAE Embassy in the origin country
  • A certificate of registration for the parent company from the registrar of businesses in the origin country. This may be a Certificate of Incorporation, a business license or other applicable documents notarized by the UAE Embassy
  • A certificate of Good Standing for the parent company issued by the registrar of businesses in the origin country. Must be notarized by the UAE Embassy in the origin country
  • Lease agreement documents specifying a physical address that meets minimum requirements
  • If a local agent is used (highly recommended) the designated agent must have power of attorney documents.
  • A business plan or brief feasibility study for the proposed branch
  • A company profile

There is no capital requirement for branches of foreign businesses. The authority may request or require additional documents.

IV. This is a list of documents required for setting up a Branch of a Local Company with individual shareholder:

  • Passport copy of the shareholder
  • Passport copy and C.V.(resume) of the designated manager. University degree is required
  • Completed personal information sheets for the shareholder and manager
  • Proof of trade name registration. This can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development (DED).
  • Proof of approval from the DED for initial business formation activities
  • Memorandum of Association or Article of Association for the existing main business, notarized by the UAE notary public
  • Lease agreement documents specifying a physical address that meets minimum requirements
  • If a local agent is used (highly recommended) the designated agent must have power of attorney documents.
  • Certificate of Registration for the existing company. This may be a license or certificate of incorporation notarized by UAE notary public.
  • There may be additional documents requested by the authority

There is no capital requirement for branches of local companies.

V. This is a list of documents required for setting up a Branch of a Local Company with Corporate shareholders:

  • Passport copy of the shareholders
  • Passport copy and C.V.(resume) of the designated manager. A university degree is required
  • Completed personal information sheets for the shareholders and managers
  • Proof of trade name registration. This can be obtained from the Department of Economic Development (DED).
  • Proof of approval from the DED for initial business formation activities
  • Article of Association for the existing main business, notarized by the UAE notary public
  • A notarized resolution from the board of directors of the existing company expressing the intent to establish a branch in the Free Zone.
  • Lease agreement documents specifying a physical address that meets minimum requirements
  • If a local agent is used (highly recommended) the designated agent must have power of attorney documents.
  • Certificate of Registration for the existing company. This may be a license or certificate of incorporation notarized by UAE notary public.
  • A company profile for the existing business
  • A valid Chamber of Commerce certificate for the main business
  • There may be additional documents requested by the authority

There is no capital requirement for branches of local companies.

How Push Digits Will Help You

One of the many valuable services PushDigits offers is assistance with the process of business formation in UAE Free Zones including the Dubai Knowledge Village. We can help you navigate the bureaucracy of business authorities in the region. The number of required documents can look discouraging. Don’t worry, we will make sure you have all required documents when and when they’re needed and that the documents are properly completed. We are familiar with the local culture and with the authorities and agencies involved so we can make the process as quick and painless as possible. After the new FZ-LLC or Branch Office is up and running we offer many additional services to make your business life easier.