SPANCOM Business Hub: Licensed, staffedand in order.
Business setup, licences, visas and government paperwork in the UAE, handled by one team.
From licence to first invoice
We guide you to the right licence, prepare and submit your applications, process visas for your team and family, and deal with the government departments on your behalf, so your company opens and stays in good standing.
Choosing well
Your activity, your customers and your plans decide between mainland and free zone and which licence you need. We explain the trade-offs before anything is filed.
Filing it
We prepare the applications, approvals and supporting documents and submit them, so nothing is sent back for a missing stamp or signature.
Staffing up
Investor, employee and family visas, labour cards and work permits, processed and tracked to the day they are issued.
Staying current
Renewals, amendments and cancellations diarised and handled before deadlines, so fines never arrive in the first place.
Services
Everything a company needs to open, hire and stay in good standing with the authorities.
- Company formationChoosing between mainland and free zone, the licence type and the activities, then forming the company.
- Business licensingCommercial, professional and industrial licences: applications, amendments and renewals.
- PRO servicesGovernment approvals and liaison with the authorities, handled by our PRO team.
- Visa processingInvestor, employee and family visas: applications, renewals and cancellations.
- Labour & immigrationLabour cards and work permits, MOHRE registration and exit formalities.
- Attestation & notarisationContracts, certificates and company resolutions attested, notarised and translated.
- Corporate bank account openingPreparing the documents banks require and supporting the application.
Setting up a company
The usual route to a UAE trade licence. Timings vary by authority and activity; we give you a timeline for yours before we start.
First, the activity and the jurisdiction
We match what you will do to the licensed activities and decide with you between a mainland authority and a free zone.
Then the name and initial approval
We reserve your trade name and obtain the initial approval from the licensing authority.
Then the documents
We prepare the legal documents for your company structure, then gather and attest what the authority asks for.
Then the licence
The licence is issued and the company is registered with the immigration and labour authorities.
Then your people
Investor and employee visas, Emirates ID, medical tests and labour contracts, processed in order.
Finally, the bank and the tax registrations
We support your corporate bank account application, and our Accounting team handles VAT and corporate tax registration.
Dubai grew on trade at the Creek. Opening a company here should be that direct.
Abras crossing Dubai Creek, where the city's trade began.
Common questions
Mainland or free zone: which is right for me?
A mainland licence lets you trade directly across the UAE market. A free zone suits businesses that trade internationally or serve other free zone companies, with rules set by each zone. We look at your activity, customers and plans and recommend one in writing.
Can a foreign investor own 100% of a mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, yes. Since 2021 UAE law has allowed full foreign ownership of many mainland companies, while some activities still carry ownership conditions. We confirm the position for your specific activity before you apply.
How long does setup take?
It depends on the authority, the activity and how quickly documents and approvals come through. We give you a timeline for your case when we scope the work, and keep you updated at each step.
Can you handle visas for my family as well?
Yes. Once your own residence visa is in place, we can process residence visas for eligible family members, subject to the authority's sponsorship requirements.
Do you also look after VAT and accounts after setup?
Yes. SPANCOM Accounting & Bookkeeping, part of the same group, handles VAT and corporate tax registration, bookkeeping and returns, so you keep one point of contact.
Talk to Business Hub
Tell us what you want to open, renew or change. We will reply with the route, the documents needed and our fees.