Dubai Lawyers

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Types of Visa Given in the UAE

Are you planning to enter the UAE? Do you want to start a business in this wealthy country? Or you simply want to enjoy the attractions of UAE? Whether it is for pleasure or business setup in Dubai, you would need a visa.

There are different types of visas issued by the UAE government. It is important for any applicant to know which visa is the right one for them depending on their needs, preference, and budget.

Tourist visa

Tourist visas are commonly used by tourist, as its name suggests. People who are not eligible for a visa-free entry or visa on arrival seek tourist visa instead.

Tourist visa’s validity may range from 30 to 90 days. It is important to note though that the UAE embassy in your country does not issue tourist visas. You would need to apply for a tourist visa from a UAE-based airline.

Transit visa

As its name suggests, a transit visa gives holders 48-96-hour access to the UAE. Transit visas are issued by a UAE-based airline and is usually used to enable a foreigner to legally stay in the UAE in a short period of time. An airline passenger transiting through the UAE airport is usually given this type of visa.

Student visa

Student visas are given to eligible college students who want to study in the UAE. Expat and international foreign students can apply for this type of visa.

Since November 2018, the UAE is now issuing a 5-year visa to outstanding students as well. If you meet the required grades and distinctions, you might be able to apply for this.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Facts You Need to Consider Before Registering a Company in Dubai

Company formation in UAE, particularly in Dubai, is not as easy as it sounds. Especially if you are a foreigner, you might not be that familiar with putting up a business in this wealthy land. For this reason, you would need to acquire as much information as possible before proceeding. This helps you to save not only money but also time and energy.

For this reason, you will appreciate knowing these facts about starting a company in Dubai. Read on so you get a better understanding of how businesses work in this wealthy region.

1. Jurisdictions in a business setup

There are three jurisdictions in Dubai that you need to know before you start a business. These are:

· Mainland – allows businesses to directly trade in the local market.

· Offshore – allows businesses to be registered in Dubai without any physical office.

· Free zone – allows businesses to only do trade within the free zone and enjoy tax benefits.

This is just an overview of the business jurisdiction in Dubai. It is highly advisable that you learn the pros and cons of each option. This will ensure that you get the best business setup possible for you.

2. Licence type

To legally operate your business, you would need one of these three types of UAE business license:

· Professional licence – given to professionals, practitioners, and experts in various field such as medicine, engineering, education, and others.

· Industrial licence – given to companies that turn raw materials into products.

· Commercial licence – given to businesses to sell products to consumers.

Moreover, the issuance of your business licence would also depend on which industry or field your business fall into. To give you an example, a financial company need to get approval from the UAE Central Bank while a medical company from the Health Ministry.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Thinking of Buying an Off-plan Property? Get a Lawyer

Investing in off plan property is a serious decision. If you happened to look at Dubai’s real estate market, you probably have seen the proliferation of off-plan projects across the city and neighboring areas.

By this time, you might be thinking of buying an off-plan property. However, before you do, you need to consider getting a lawyer. Here are some of the most important reasons you need to do so.

Lower the risk

“Is it advisable to buy off plan property in Dubai?” This is just one of the many concerns that might be bugging you right now.

That’s completely understandable. After all, buying an off-plan property means you are buying a property that has not been fully built yet. Thus, there’s a risk in buying an off-plan property.

But why would you even consider buying one if it is risky? It is because of the great profit potential. Most off-plan properties are cheaper compared to buying a property that is ready for use.

Thankfully, you can decrease the risk of your investment by hiring a lawyer. With a lawyer, you get the help of understanding the technicalities and legalities of buying a property, especially one that is off-plan.

A lawyer can help you do a background check of the property, go through the paperwork, confirm the developer’s legitimacy, and make sure you won’t be taken advantage of in the deal you are about to make.

Take advantage of a lawyer’s expertise

If you are a foreign investor, chances are, you know little about Dubai’s real estate law. Even if you are a local buyer or you’ve been buying properties for a long time now, you would still benefit from hiring a lawyer.

Now, here’s where things get more interesting. There are lawyers in Dubai who specialise in handling real estate properties. They have the necessary experience in finding the right property for you. They can guide you every step of the buying process.

They have knowledge about Dubai’s real estate industry. Thus, they can give you personalised advice to help you meet your needs, preference, and budget. Not only that, there are property dispute lawyers Dubai who are also ready to defend your legal rights.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Prescribed Companies Regulations

In the latest news in Dubai, DIFC or Dubai International Financial Centre has just introduced a new regulatory framework that leads to the formation of prescribed companies. The new regulation effectively combined Special Purpose Companies (SPCs) and Intermediate Special Purpose Vehicles (ISPVs) into one category. They would not be considered as prescribed companies that will enjoy reduced fees and more opportunities to expand in Dubai.

The new prescribed companies regulatory structure allows companies to start building their own business in DIFC with more freedom and fewer office requirements.

These companies would now include firms under the Dubai Financial Service Authority (DFSA) and those businesses considered as International Financial Services Regulator. Not only that, but Family Offices, Fintech firms, Aviation Companies and other businesses within the Holding and Investment Companies and structured finance would be eligible to fall under prescribed companies. Healthcare companies in Dubai can also possibly take advantage of this new DIFC regulation.

For existing companies, they would still continue to exist as they are but they would use prescribed companies as their additional structuring tool to set up beneficiaries or subsidiaries.

Another great development from the new regulation is the reduction of fees. This means that the annual licensing fee would now be set to $1,000 or approximately Dh3,670. Before, licensing fees may range from $1000 to $3,500. Incorporation fee would also be set at $100.

The new DIFC announcement is considered to be revolutionary by many business setup consultants in Dubai. By replacing SPCs and ISPVs and combining them in a unified business structure, more companies would be attracted to investing in Dubai. Not only that, but the DIFC announcement gives more opportunities for companies to access the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Scam Alert: new bank

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) issued a scam alert and warns the public for a new bank scam that claims you can get an easy loan with them. The scam works by asking unsuspecting customers to pay a certain fee in exchange for a guaranteed approval loan.

In a public service announcement, the DFSA specifically named the scammer as “Skyo Microfinance Bank Limited.” To convince people into transacting with them, they present false Certificate of Incorporation from the DFSA.

They would request victims to pay first for the insurance and administrative fees. Once they get the money, they would then promise the victim that they will receive the loan. However, they would soon become unresponsive and would eventually be gone with the victim’s money.

The Skyo’s fake Certificate of Incorporation is now posted in DFSA’s website to increase the public’s awareness about this new scam. DFSA and legal consultants in Dubai urge people not to give their money to Skyo Microfinance Bank Limited nor should they get in touch with any individuals representing this dubious company.

To help you avoid getting scammed, it is important to stay updated with the latest news in Dubai. You can also check with the relevant regulatory agency. You should be able to confirm if the company you are dealing with is legitimate or not.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

New Sponsorship Policy for Expats

Family sponsorship policy in UAE has taken a positive turn this year. Here’s good news for a lot of expatriates or expats in the UAE: they can now have a better chance to bring their dependents in the country.

This follows the new family sponsorship policy known as the Cabinet Decision No. 30 for the year 2019, which was announced last July. In the past, the ability of an expat to sponsor a family member is based on his/her job titles. Thus, sponsorship is not for everyone but only for the select few.

With new family sponsorship policy for expats, a UAE resident or expat, regardless of their gender, can now sponsor a family member by simply meeting a minimum income requirement. If an expat earns at least a monthly salary of Dh4,000, then he/she can sponsor his/her spouse and children who are under 18 years old.

Moreover, the minimum income requirement can also be reduced to Dh3,000 provided that the accommodation of the one who will be sponsored is handled by a company. This new regulation has been approved by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC).

A lot of people praised the decision. For one, it encourages families in the UAE to grow closer and social ties become stronger. With the new policy, the UAE was able to give more freedom to expats when bringing in their loved ones without compromising the interests of the country.

As you can imagine, the old policy only favors those expats who gain a certain career level or those who have been promoted to a higher position. For example, a skilled worker can have many years of experience and increased salary grade. Yet, they still can’t sponsor their loved ones just because they hold a lower position.

...continue reading

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!

Sunday, August 18, 2019

UAE's first golden card visa holders

The Golden Card visa is among the latest initiatives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to attract more investors, brilliant people, and expert professionals to come and live in their wealthy country. After the announcement of the gold card issue to UAE residents, thousands of people have been identified to benefit from this visa scheme.

But first, you might ask, what is the Golden Card visa?

Initially, the Golden Card visa caused some confusion among people. Since the specific terms and conditions of the visa are still being finalised when it was announced, some details are not yet clear.

Now that’s Golden Card visa is officially available, people are now discovering what it is all about.

Basically, Golden Card visa holders would qualify for either a 10-year visa or five-year visa. According to Decree no. 56 of 2018, there are three categories of residency permits within the Golden Card visa. These include special talents, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Those who qualify for a 10-year visa are those who have invested at least Dh10 million in the UAE. Entrepreneurs and people with special talents would quality for a five-year residency. If you need more help in understanding the Golden Card visa, lawyers in Dubai will give you the information needed.

Last May of 2019, a list of possible beneficiaries of the Golden Card visa was released. It identified around 6,800 expatriates from more than 70 countries.

Since the availability and issuance of the Golden Card, there are now people who have taken advantage of it.

Perhaps, the most notable person who acquired the Golden Card is the person who first obtained it – Yusuff Ali.

Yusuff Ali is the managing director and chairman of the Lulu Group. He is known to be the retail king of the Middle East for putting up a chain of hypermarkets throughout the region. Not only that, but he is among billionaires on Forbes’ list of wealthiest people in the Middle East.

Since then, other people have been the recipient of the Golden Card visa. According to the Dubai news, here are some of them:

Vasu Shroff, the chairman of the Regal Group of Companies
Khushi Khatwani, managing director of the Khushi Group of Companies
Azad Moopen, managing director of the Aster group
Rizwan Sajan, Danube Group Chairman
Dr. Shamsheer Vayayil, VPS Healthcare chairman
Firoz Merchant, Pure Gold Group chairman
And others.

Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE?

Check out some informative articles that may help you with your planning.

For a quick and easy process of company formation contact or visit us today!