The trademark is known as a brand name. The service mark or trademark has any name, symbol, word, device or combination to identify and distinguish services or goods of one seller to indicate the source of services or goods. Though federal registration of the mark is not essential, it has advantages like the legal presumption of ownership nationwide, notice to the public of registrant's claim of ownership of the mark along with the legal presumption of ownership and the right to use mark or connection with services or goods listed in the registration. In today's era, people are more cautious than ever. More than 100 trademarks are daily applied in the United Arab Emirates.

Ways to register the Trademark in the United Arab Emirates

With our expert consultants, you could search if your Trademark can be registered. There are various grounds of refusal in the UAE that could hinder your Trademark Registration process in the United Arab Emirates.

The Advantages of Trademark Search

The Trademark search at the Trademark Registry would find if anyone has prior rights to your proposed trademark. This determines if your application has chances for success. This step is mandatory before any trademark application is filed in the United Arab Emirates.

Formalities allowed for registration of Trademark

• The Logo Registration
• Registration of the Trade name
• Protection of Domain Name
• Registration of Brand Name
• The name of Real Estate Name

Procedures not allowed for Trademark registration

• The Descriptive marks violating public or moral order
• Mark that is similar to a nation’s flag
• Sign that is similar to a religious symbol
• The National Medals
• The Trademark Registration Process
• The Trademark Search

Application of preparation and submission to the Ministry of Economy

The approval from the Ministry would take up to 7 working days that depends on a time frame with the ministry of UAE. On approval, they publish the Trademark in two local newspapers and on a local gazette that returns in 30-60 days ministry holding to confirm if there is any objection from the third party. After the publication, if there is no objection then the certificate would be issued. It can be valid for 10 years on a renewal basis. The time frame to issue the certificate is dependent on the Ministry. The process takes up to 3-4 months.

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It is without doubt that Dubai city is among the most popular cities in the world not requiring any special introduction. It is a well known and visited tourist destination and much more! Dubai can be termed to be an investor’s dream and fertile ground to explore new business opportunities. It is not easy to establish business in Dubai, but definitely profitable. There are several things to be aware of about to kick-start the business in Dubai.

Ownership & Economic Zone

Immediately after determining to establish business in Dubai, the very first step will be to identify the business zone which suits the company. It is possible to select from offshore, free zone or mainland, so as to establish entity, thereby deriving diverse benefits.

Free Zone Company

They are regarded to be the greatest contributors towards UAE’s robust economy and are created in a manner to attract foreign investments in huge amounts, thereby generating jobs in thousands and facilitating state-of-the-art technology within the country. These free zones can be stated to be among the most sought after locations to establish in UAE due to easier tax structures, immigration and labor procedures including business accommodating laws.

Read on Dubai Free Zone

Read on UAE Free Zone

Mainland Company Formation

The mainland company can be stated to be an onshore firm that has obtained license from the DED (Dept. of Economic Development) of related emirate. UAE mainland registered companies can carry out business outside UAE and local market without any kind of restriction.

Read on Dubai Mainland Company Formation  

Offshore Company

The offshore firm can be termed to be a business entity that legally operates outside the registered jurisdiction to minimize tax payment legally.

Read on Offshore Company Formation

Read on RAK Offshore Company Formation

Read on JAFZA Offshore Company Formation

Read on Foreign Company Branch Setup 

Read on LLC Company Formation 

Business License types

It is necessary to acquire valid trade license to carry out any type of business in UAE. Dubai licenses are segmented into three parts:

• All types of trading activities are covered by commercial licenses.
• Artisans, craftsmen, services and professions are covered by professional licenses.
• Manufacturing or industrial activity establishment is possible with industrial license.

It is illegal to trade without having valid trade license in the UAE. Those operating without license are subjected to heavy penalties. Also, the license is to be renewed annually. It is by choosing the business category that the process of setting up a business in Dubai is initiated. In Dubai, there are over 2,100 commercial, industrial, tourism and professional activities. It is followed by identifying the appropriate legal form that depends upon the proposed location, business activity, owners’ nationality, ownership options and number. Legal forms are to be checked to match particular business activities. It is necessary to select a trade name, which matches the type of services offered by the company. Next step requires initial approval certification application, which should state that there is no objection from Dubai DED for the business to start. Owners and partners are to sign a MOA (Memorandum of Association), which depends upon the company’s legal form. In few cases, Corporate Agent / LSA (Local Service Agent) agreement is made between the UAE national in charge to represent the business and the company’s owners. Physical address is a must for all businesses to operate in Dubai. There should be signing of the tendency contract with the landlord, with registration being done with the Ejari. Special licensing approvals will be necessary for specific business activities, besides the one to be obtained from DED. In case, additional approvals are required, then it is important to contact relevant government departments. It is equally crucial for non-UAE nationals to seek UAE national’s assistance to establish a business in Dubai mainland. 51% shares will be owned by the UAE national, while remaining 49% will be owned by the non-UAE national. A new law has been announced recently by the UAE government allowing complete foreign ownership t be held in certain government selected sectors, which will be effective by end of 2019. This however does not apply to offshores and free-zones with 100% foreign ownership. Finally, there has made announcement with regards to the sectors and activities that are made eligible to allow 100% foreign ownership. Complete control by foreign investors may be allowed across 13 sectors and 122+ economic activities. These sectors tend to include agriculture, space, energy, storage, transport, manufacturing, etc. Production of power transformers, solar panels, hybrid power plant, green technology supply chain, e-commerce transport, cold storage meant for pharmaceutical products and logistics are few activities included within the project. Foreign investors are also allowed ownership in other areas like food services, hospitality, communication and information, technical and scientific activities, professional, support services, administrative services, art & entertainment, healthcare, educational activities, construction, etc.

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Dubai is an opportunistic market for business setups, with well regulated laws which are strictly implemented. The government of Dubai regulates a massive database which is highly protected. The authorities monitor the same from time to time to ensure no fraudulent activities occur and ensure the businesses are carried out smoothly.

Importance of Licensing

Licensing renewal is an administrative activity which legally permits the business to carry out business operations in a regional jurisdiction. In Dubai, the business license is valid for a year and must be renewed on an annual basis. Failure to renew the license will result in a penalty from the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai, or may even lead to freezing the company's business activities or ban the company. DED strictly monitors all the entities in Dubai. Hence, license renewal should be taken seriously while doing a business in Dubai. There are 3 types of business licenses,

• Professional License
• Commercial license
• Industrial license

Steps involved in renewing Trade/Business license in Dubai

Reviewing Tenancy Contract

The applicant's tenancy contract must be valid for more than three months from the date of application of license renewal. Renewal of the tenancy contract should be done first if it is due during the renewal process. Tenancy contracts are applied for through EJARI- an online registration system of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), requiring all Dubai rental or lease contracts to be recorded at this portal. This system is developed to legalize the relationship between tenants and landlords in Dubai.

Acquiring permits and approvals for your business

Different agencies and municipal bodies provide the required permits depending on the type of business in Dubai. Depending on the type of business, different permits and licenses should be acquired. For example, in the case of a food manufacturing business, the Food Safety Department's permission is mandatory. At the same time, if it is a transit-based business, you should procure the Road Transport Authority's permit. The procured permits and licenses are submitted to the DED for renewal of business licenses.

Submitting documents to DED

The following documents need to be submitted to the DED

• Tenancy Contract (valid for three months and more)
• EJARI Attestation
• Renewal Form to the DED in Dubai
• Duly Filled BR/1 Form
• Passport copies and Photographs of all business partners
• Copy of existing Business License

Acquiring Transaction Number or Payment Voucher from DED

DED provides applicants with a unique transaction number after duly verifying all the documents. It is also known as "Payment voucher". This unique number is valid until the renewal process is complete and is valid only on the current process. It cannot be used for the next renewal period. The necessary payments for renewal of the license are carried out using the transaction number or payment voucher. The applicants should complete the entire process before the expiry of the permit. Late renewal may lead to fines on the business entity.

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There are several steps included in opening a restaurant business or a cafeteria in Dubai. This involves both standard company formation procedure and specific procedures for food and beverage industry.

Step 1 - Business Activity

The foremost step involves an initial application, where you will have to outline your business activity. Even though the industry is food and beverage, you should specify the type of business, like whether you intend to run a cafe, restaurant, bar, take away kitchen, etc. You will have to specify the type of cuisine you wish to sell and determine how you want to sell it like take-out, eat-in, or delivery. These details are mandatory as it helps avoid delays in the license application. It is important to note that trading activities not listed under your license cannot be carried out. It is always advisable to work with a company set up expert at this stage, as it is such a specific part of the application.

Step 2 - Company Name

The second most important thing is the name of your company. While choosing a name, you must abide by certain regulations.

• Avoid blasphemous or offensive language
• Avoid names of reputed organizations
• Avoid abbreviations if registering your company after your name.

Always check if your chosen name is available for registering. You can seek the help of a company formation expert for this.

Step 3 - License Application

There are two stages in the license application The first step is to apply for the trade license. Suppose you wish to set up your business in the Dubai mainland. In that case, you should make the application to the Dubai Department of Economic Development. In case you want to set up your business in Free Zone areas, you should apply directly to the managing authority. In both cases, you must provide the following documents

• Completed application form
• passport copy (owner or owners)
• Passport size photos

In addition to your trade license, you will also need a food license issued by the Dubai Municipality's food safety department. The food control department must also approve of your plans. In order to achieve this, you will have to provide the department with a copy of trade license, details of food processing, storing, washing areas, floor plan of your eatery, etc. The critical aspect is that you should adhere to Dubai's Food Code, which covers everything from where food is made, stored, and also the ventilation and emergency.

Step 4 - Visa

Visa Application for both your employees and yourself is made. The visa application is straightforward, and with the help of company formation agents, you can get your visa. You can also sponsor your spouse, children, parent, or a domestic worker as you hold a UAE business license. The number of visas you apply for depends on the company's size, the chosen setup, and personal earnings.

Cost of starting a restaurant in Dubai

The cost of setting up a restaurant in Dubai varies widely. For example, the price of opening a food truck is much lower than opening a large restaurant. The cost also depends on the chosen cuisine, the area you wish to set up your business, number of employees, etc. The most ingenious way is to approach a company formation expert who can understand your requirements and comes out with a detailed quote.

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UAE Free Zones: It can be really challenging to set up a company in Dubai and carry out its financial, administrative and technical aspects. But at the same time, following simple, but comprehensive process and by availing the support, the process can be made all the more straightforward as well as affordable than imagined. We have managed to provide assistance to a good number of companies to help establish themselves in different free-zones. We also assist to break the entire process into six steps, which are mentioned below: Select business activity: Nature of business is likely to have bearing on the type of free-zone to set. Some free zones for example, are known to permit only certain activities like transport, medical or media. Besides the restrictions, it does make strong sense to establish within close proximity to other businesses in similar domain. In case, the business relies heavily upon export and import, then a free zone is to be selected close to the port or airport. During the later stage of the preparation process, there can be taken final decision. However, having business activity established does provide the opportunity to steer properly and to eliminate few options much early. Pigeon-holing the business will not be necessary, since multiple business activities can be listed using a single trade license. Select company name: Stringent naming conventions are to be followed in the UAE. Hence, the company’s name is to conform properly. Any offensive language is forbidden including those referring to the Mafia, Him or Allah, or political, sectarian and religious groups or the FBI. If the plan is have the business named after a person, then no abbreviations or initials. Verse and chapter on all naming conventions will be provided by the business set-up expert. Running proposed name can help to check if it qualifies or not and this process can be speeded up and precious time saved with the help of the professionals. Finalize incorporation documents and paperwork: An application is to be completed and submitted for the chosen activity and company name. Along with it is to be provided shareholders’ passport copies to concerned government authorities. Additional documentation might be required by some free zones like the NOC (Non-Objection Certificate|) or a business plan, letter from the existing sponsor to confirm being allowed to establish another business setup in the UAE. Among all the tasks that are considered to be the most arduous part is the paperwork, which no more has to be extremely taxing on taking expert assistance. The business set-up partner will be in a position to offer valuable advice about all necessary documentation and also provide assistance to complete the same. Receive license notification: It is undoubtedly the easiest step. After processing the application, company license will be issued by the government. Clients are notified by Virtuzone with regards to the time pertaining to document collection. Open up bank account: On return of all paperwork, you will have the necessary documentation to open up a corporate bank account with a local bank. The UAE is considered to be home to several banks, both international and local, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai and Emirates NBD besides popular global names like Barclays, Citibank and HSBC. You can approach your choice of bank or request your business set-up partner to make the necessary arrangements and meetings with several institutions, so as to help choose a suitable option. Visa processing: In Dubai, this step is regarded to be the final step towards forming a company. It also involves applying for own visa. There are many free zones that do allow you to make applications for staffs and their dependants also. But the exact number to submit depends entirely upon the type free zone chosen to set up the business. hence, if the desire is to avail visa for the child, spouse, driver or maid, then seeking expert advice is something that needs to done as a priority and it is very much possible to perform this task in the chosen free zone. The second aspect is that both you as well as anyone that you pan to sponsor for getting a visa are to meet the necessary entry criteria. It is only after the above points being checked out positively that further processing continues. Four simple stages are present, namely, medical fitness test, status adjustment, entry permit and Emirates ID registration combined with visa stamping. With free zones having accommodating conditions, company formation is made quite simple. At the same time, having right kind of support from experienced professionals, it is possible to complete the entire process within a week itself.

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Dubai is a land of wonders. A robust economy, modern architectural marvels, beaches are all a part of its allure. The city is gracious to its business people as it is with tourists. There are many avenues for those willing to explore business opportunities in Dubai.

10 Profitable Business Opportunities in Dubai

Retail business

The economy is robust and with increasing population and tourists who visit Dubai, having a shop is a great way to capitalize on footfalls and increase sales.

E-commerce

Dubai's population and their tastes are varied, and this business sector is not as well developed compared to the West. E-commerce platforms offer unique business opportunities in Dubai.

Construction

Skyscrapers are not new to Dubai. Despite this, there are ever-increasing demands that are generating business opportunities for engineers and architects.

Business Consultancy

This is a very lucrative opportunity for the well experienced. It is a sought after service in all of UAE. It isn't easy to compete in this industry and may require extensive and niche experience. It is worth exploring if you can pull it off.

Restaurants and Cafes

Tourists and citizens all like to explore the local food scene. Tourists may also want to find a slice of their home, experience a feeling of homecoming, so far away from home.

Cleaning Service

Create opportunity by starting a cleaning service/maid business in Dubai. It is an economically developed city and has a significant percentage of the working population. These people prefer a cleaning service to help maintain their homes.

Jewellery

Jewellery, India and Dubai have a deep historical connection dating back to pre-UAE days. There are multiple businesses within the industry that you can successfully set up in Dubai.

Financial Services

Chartered accountants and other services like bookkeeping are very much in demand. This is a unique opportunity to establish your company in Dubai if you have the required expertise in the financial services industry.

Travel Agency

Dubai is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. People from all over come to enjoy the city. Capitalize on the market requirements with a travel agency—partner with multiple other services to maximize your profits.

Recruitment Agency

With more influx of businesses, there is a genuine shortage of talent and workforce. Recruiting for companies can be a lucrative business in Dubai.

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