Business setup in Dubai for Indians follows the same licensing rules as for any nationality, with full foreign ownership in most activities. What differs is the paperwork from India: degrees, marriage certificates and company records must pass the MEA and UAE Embassy chain, and Indian residents must follow RBI overseas investment rules. Wordcraft handles the Dubai setup and the Indian document chain together.
How Indian Documents Get Accepted in Dubai
Every Indian document follows one chain: authentication in India, then the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), then the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or a UAE consulate, which now completes the UAE MOFA attestation digitally in the same step. The UAE is not a member of the Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone will not be accepted.
| Indian document | First authentication in India | Then | Used in Dubai for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree and school certificates | Notary, then the state HRD department | MEA, then UAE Embassy New Delhi or a UAE consulate | Visa categories, regulated licenses, professional approvals |
| Marriage and birth certificates | State Home Department or SDM | MEA, then UAE Embassy or consulate | Family residence visas |
| Parent-company records (incorporation certificate, board resolution, MOA) | Notary and, where required, a chamber of commerce (confirmed per document) | MEA, then UAE Embassy or consulate | Corporate shareholder or branch registration |
| Power of attorney signed in India | Notary, with state authentication where required (confirmed per document) | MEA, then UAE Embassy or consulate | Appointing a manager or representative in Dubai |
Once attested, anything not in Arabic that a UAE authority needs to read goes to an MOJ-certified legal translator in Dubai. The step-by-step routes are on our MEA attestation and Indian certificate attestation pages. In most cases no separate MOFA visit is needed in the UAE, but we confirm the route for each document in your quote.
Mainland, Free Zone or a Branch of Your Indian Company
- Mainland (DET): for selling directly to UAE customers, opening a shop, restaurant or contracting firm, or bidding for local projects. Full foreign ownership is open for most commercial and industrial activities.
- Free zone: popular for India–UAE trading, consultancy, IT and e-commerce with international clients, with flexi-desk packages and full ownership.
- Branch of your Indian company: keeps the UAE business under the same name and parent; our foreign company branch page sets out the steps.
Traders moving goods between the two countries should also look at the India–UAE trade agreement known as CEPA, in force since 2022, which cut customs duties on many goods. A customs broker can confirm how it applies to your products. The official overview of company formation is on u.ae, and Dubai licensing on DET.
Sending Capital From India: ODI and Tax Points
If you live in India and invest in a UAE company, the investment generally falls under the Reserve Bank of India's overseas investment rules and is routed through your authorized dealer bank, with reporting afterward. Your Indian tax position may change too, so speak to a chartered accountant in India before you remit anything. Wordcraft does not advise on Indian regulation or tax.
On the UAE side, corporate tax at 9% on taxable profit has applied since June 2023; a qualifying free zone company can pay 0% on qualifying income, and there is no personal income tax. We do not give tax advice or file returns; a registered tax agent should handle both, and the rules are on the Federal Tax Authority site. UAE banks will ask for a business plan, proof of source of funds and KYC for every shareholder, and we help you assemble that file.
Residence Visas for You, Your Partners and Family
Once the company is licensed, each shareholder working in it can hold an investor or partner residence visa through the company. You can then sponsor your spouse and children, subject to the usual residence requirements. For that, your marriage certificate and the children's birth certificates must go through the Home Department or SDM, MEA and UAE Embassy chain above and then be translated. Details are on our family visa page.
Translating Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Urdu Records
Land records, affidavits, court papers and company documents in Indian languages need legal translation into Arabic or English before UAE authorities, banks or courts accept them. Our MOJ-certified legal translators cover all the major languages of India among 150+ in total; see Indian languages legal translation.
Working From Kerala and Four UAE Offices
Our back office in Calicut supports document processing, so work on your file carries on across both time zones. In the UAE, all four branches handle company formation, attestation and translation: Dubai (Al Twar, Al Qusais), Abu Dhabi (Al Ghaith Tower, Hamdan Street), Sharjah (Business Tower, Al Majaz 2) and Ras Al Khaimah (Al Nakheel).
Business Setup in Dubai for Indians, From First Message to Visa
- Send your business idea, the shareholders and any family visa plans on WhatsApp; a written quote follows within 10–30 minutes.
- After you pay by secure link, Indian document attestation starts at the same time as the trade name reservation.
- The license is issued, then the establishment card and your investor visa.
- We support the bank account opening and the family visas, and you can follow every stage online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Indian citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes. Most mainland commercial and industrial activities, and free zone companies, allow full foreign ownership whatever your nationality.
Do I need to travel to Dubai to set up the company?
Much of the work can start from India, including document attestation. You need to be in the UAE for the visa medical, biometrics and usually the bank meeting.
Is an apostille from India accepted in the UAE?
No. The UAE is not an Apostille member, so Indian documents need MEA authentication followed by UAE Embassy attestation.
Can I bring my family on my company visa?
Yes. With an investor or partner visa you can usually sponsor your spouse and children, provided the income and document requirements are met.
Does CEPA make company setup easier for Indians?
CEPA mainly lowers customs duties on goods traded between India and the UAE. It does not change how a Dubai trade license is issued.
Do I need RBI approval to invest in a Dubai company?
Most investments by Indian residents go through the automatic route via an authorized dealer bank, with reporting. Your chartered accountant in India should confirm how the rules apply to you.
How much does business setup in Dubai cost for Indians?
Nationality does not change the price. Structure, office type and the number of visas do, and your quote lists government charges and our fee in writing.
Last updated: September 2026
