Spugsy

How do you go about it then?

I'm very seriously considering starting up on my own after Christmas, freelancing myself out to companies and also starting up a very small co-operative design agency, ie using a few mates from back home for some work if I get big jobs and paying them but me sorting all the work, clietns, meetings etc out over here,

Thing is how do I go about it? how much will it cost me? What do I do about a work visa?

All help is appreciated in advance,
Spugsy

Blue Cat

There are various ways of going about setting up, for you I am guessing Media City is the best option, we are also looking into this as Atilla is setting up a stand alone office for the Company he works for. I think it is Shiva who has done this before but I might be wrong. There is information on the Media City website about setting up in their freezone. It isn't cheap though.

Spugsy

Aye I'm more than happy to work from home mind, I don't need an office in media city or owt.

Blue Cat

it's illegal mate, you have to have an office address to get the Trade License. There are ways around it but I don't know how, you hire a virtual office I think in the Fairmont. Someone will know.

The Dean

The RAK Free Trade Zone uses the business centre in the Fairmont (i.e. you can use an office there, even though you are 'registered' in RAK). As the lady says though - not cheap.

Blue Cat

this RAK thing is a bit confusing, I was told that you got a trade licence via the RAK free zone and a virtual office then you are up and running, BUT then I was told that you had to have a license for the Emirate where money changes hand and in this case that would be Dubai.

The Dean

Now I'M confused - I know someone who has a RAK-registered firm but he's never set foot in that emirate. I thought the whole point of the "FREE Trade Zones" was that you operated exclusively OUTSIDE that location (i.e. it's like being 'offshore').

Best thing is for Spugsy to get..... oh, what's that thing called.... er.... oh yes - expert advice.........

Roadking

Media city, knowledge village et al, hire desks out to people including sponsorship. You get a desk in a common area that entitles you to uo to two visas, if you need more, you need a desk with walls which costs more. Dead easy, give them a call or pop down and ask. It's a simple process....for Dubai!

Blue Cat

I agree!!

shiva

spugs do a search mate i've posted about it a few times.
last time i checked it will cost about 25k-50k aed as a minimum to set up and then about the same yearly in costs. Thats without an office.
it may be cheaper these days since the crash though, not checked freezones rates for a while

Spugsy

cheers dude.

Spugsy

what the fûck?? I can't afford to pay that.

Spugsy

erm, ok so how do I get a visa then? without all of that and just get paid cash?

Blue Cat

you can't Spugsy, you can only get a visa from an employer.

Spugsy

balls, there must be a way around it....going on someone else's visa? the wife?