Autonomy

What is the easiest / cheapest options to be set up as a freelancer or consultant in conferences / events sector?

Based in Dubai but can trade licenses also be issued from RAK / Abu Dhabi to be legit to work anywhere in UAE?

shiva

strictly speaking, it is illegal for a freezone co. to operate outwith the freezone and within the UAE unless a local agent is appointed within the UAE.

In practise most co.s with freezone visas break this law daiy.

costs: are changing daily, RAK used to be cheapest but its worth calling round them all at the moment as its a buyers market so to speak and costs have alrady dropped significantly.

options are,
49% partnership with a local individual or co. based in dubai, 100% legal not cheap or ideal
as above but with a co. like links (pm me for info) better
Freezone co. breaking the law, but everybody does, 100% ownership may now be the cheapest as well

Meow

Yes, no restrictions. There was talk of it but never happened.

We have that meeting in AD next week, so will let you know if that is of any use to you.


Edit> It is not illegal to operate out side of a freezone if that's where your licence is, provided you have an 'office' and trading address in that freezone.
-

shiva

err not true, read the actual contract of most freezones and it clearly states that it is. i know a number of high profile co.s who cant afford to be caught breaking the law on this who are pissed that they are forced to use local agents who do **** all but get in the way and collect an income for sod all

Meow

It is certainly not the case for all of them. For many companies, it is impossible to do all their business in the freezone itself, media particularly, and it is perfectly fine to do work outside, provided you have the proper set up. It isn't as if Auto is asking about an import company in JAFZ.

-

Autonomy

PM re: links.

Thanks on the rest..

Autonomy

Correct - very simple sole-trader type thing, zero office required (though I guess desk rent is required though never used).

If you can let me know on the AD option that would be great.

Eva

I thought freezone companies in DXB etc and trading in UAE market were subject to a 5% levy i.e like a customs tax.
51/49 is simplest if that is the right word.Finding the properly connected sponsor is the key.
Also to set up as an LLC they look for a 300,000aed investment- on paper anyway....oh and the 51/49 arrangement is largely on paper too
with an underwritten arrangement in most cases.
Autonomy, try the Chamber of Commerce and Industry sites in DXB and AD...found them helpful in past and had some good free advice by going in to offices in AD.You need to register a 'trade name' with them anyway and have it approved as an initial step in set up process.

Also'Consultancies' have specific rules and regs seperate from other businesses.


http://www.adcci.gov.ae:90/public/le...tm#DEFINITIONS