Dubai and the UAE,
made easy

The decision of whether to hire freelancers or employees in the UAE should be based on your particular business needs. Freelancers can provide short-term, specialized skills and expertise, while employees may offer more stability and long-term growth potential for your business.

Yes, you can hire foreign nationals in the UAE, but they must obtain the necessary visas and permits before they can start working. It is important to understand all legal requirements when bringing foreign employees into your organization.

In addition, the UAE government has recently increased its efforts to increase the number of Emiratis in the private sector, introducing a suite of new laws. Employers with over 50 employees must recruit UAE nationals at a rate of 2% per year, with fines for non-compliance.

Opening a subsidiary or branch office in the UAE requires obtaining the necessary permits and licenses from relevant government departments. It may also involve submitting documents, such as business plans, to demonstrate that your company has the required financial resources and expertise to successfully operate in the UAE. The exact process can very depending on the emirate.

For most emirates, the first step in setting up a branch or subsidiary office is to choose the legal structure that best suits your needs. The most common types of business entities in the UAE are limited liability companies (LLCs), civil companies, and sole proprietorships. Once you have chosen the legal structure for your business, you will need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits from the relevant authorities. To incorporate on the mainland, you will need to obtain sponsorship from a local investor or service agent.

The next step is to find suitable office space. The good news is that there are many options available, from serviced offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to more affordable coworking spaces in other emirates. Once you have found suitable office space, you will need to obtain approval from the Department of Economic Development of the emirate, open a local bank account, and register a trading name before you can move in and start operating.

There are a number of ways to find potential employees in UAE. You can use online job boards, social media platforms, recruitment agencies, or headhunters. Using multiple channels will help you cast a wide net and increase your chances of finding the right candidate for the job.

Once you’ve found some potential candidates, it’s important to conduct thorough screenings before making any offers. This includes reviewing resumes/CVs, conducting interviews, and running background checks.

In most cases, the most efficient and compliant way to get operations started in the UAE is to hire your first few employees with a global EOR like Horizons.