Every question we get asked —
answered clearly.
Browse common questions across all four GlobalWayGroup divisions — company setup, banking, visas and recruitment. Can’t find your answer? Our advisors respond within 30 minutes on WhatsApp.
Company Formation,
Setup & Compliance
Everything you need to know about setting up a company in the UAE, managing your PRO requirements, VAT, corporate tax, document attestation and accounting.
Explore BusinessWallah services →A mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) or the relevant emirate authority, and can trade freely across the entire UAE — including government contracts and direct retail. A free zone company is registered within one of 40+ designated zones, offering 100% foreign ownership and zero duties, but typically cannot trade directly within the UAE mainland without appointing a local distributor.
The right choice depends on your business activity, target market and operational needs. BusinessWallah assesses this during your free consultation and recommends the optimal structure.
Learn about company formation →No — for most business activities. Following amendments to the UAE Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is now permitted for most mainland activities and all free zone structures. A small number of strategically sensitive sectors still require a UAE national partner. BusinessWallah confirms your specific activity's eligibility during the consultation at no charge.
Check your activity eligibility →Most clients receive their trade licence within 7–14 working days of document submission. With banking and visa processing running in parallel, most businesses are fully operational within 21 days of their first consultation. BusinessWallah runs all processes simultaneously rather than sequentially — which is how we consistently achieve this timeline.
The best free zone depends on your sector, visa requirements, office preferences and budget. Popular options include:
- IFZA and Meydan — low cost, flexible, suitable for most trading and service businesses
- DMCC — ideal for commodities, trading and financial services in Dubai
- DIFC — regulated financial services and legal firms
- JAFZA — import/export businesses needing port access
- RAKEZ — cost-effective option for manufacturing and light industrial
- Dubai Media City / twofour54 — media, advertising and creative businesses
BusinessWallah matches your business activity, team size and budget to the right zone — not just the cheapest one.
Mainland vs Free Zone guide →Costs vary significantly by jurisdiction, licence type and business activity. As a general guide:
- Free zone company — typically AED 12,000–25,000 all-in for licence, establishment and one visa
- Mainland licence — typically AED 15,000–30,000 depending on activity and emirate
- Offshore company — typically AED 8,000–15,000 for holding and asset structures
BusinessWallah provides a full itemised cost proposal before you commit — no hidden fees, no surprises.
PRO (Public Relations Officer) services cover all government-related transactions that require physical presence at UAE ministries and authorities — including trade licence renewals, MOHRE submissions, visa amendments, document attestation and Emirates ID applications. Any business operating in the UAE will need PRO support at some point. BusinessWallah's PRO team handles all of this on your behalf so you never lose a working day to a government queue.
Learn about PRO services →VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory if your annual taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500. Businesses that should register but don't face significant FTA penalties. BusinessWallah's tax team assesses your obligation, completes FTA registration and manages quarterly VAT return submissions.
Learn about VAT & tax services →The UAE introduced a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Most mainland and free zone businesses must register for Corporate Tax with the FTA, regardless of whether they owe tax. Certain qualifying free zone businesses may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income, subject to conditions. BusinessWallah manages Corporate Tax registration, annual return filing and compliance monitoring.
The most commonly attested documents for UAE use include:
- Educational certificates — for employment, professional licences and visa applications
- Birth, marriage and death certificates — for family visas and legal processes
- Power of attorney — for legal and business representation
- Commercial documents — company MOA, trade licence, board resolutions
- Police clearance certificates — for certain visa categories
The attestation pathway (home country, UAE embassy, MOFA) depends on the document type and its origin country. BusinessWallah manages the complete chain.
Yes. Under UAE Corporate Tax legislation, all businesses are required to maintain accurate financial records for a minimum of seven years. Non-compliance with record-keeping requirements carries FTA penalties. BusinessWallah provides monthly bookkeeping, WPS-compliant payroll processing, financial statements and external audit support — ensuring your records are always audit-ready.
Learn about accounting services →Banking, Loans &
Financial Solutions
Questions about opening corporate and personal bank accounts in UAE, credit cards, personal loans, business finance and mortgage solutions — pre-screened across 15+ UAE bank partners.
Explore BankWallah services →We assess your full profile — business activity, residency status, nationality, transaction volumes and requirements — then pre-screen across our network of 15+ UAE bank partners to identify the bank most likely to approve your application. We submit only when we are confident of approval, protecting your credit profile from multiple rejections.
Learn about BankWallah →On average 2–3 weeks from the date of complete document submission. Timeline varies by bank, business activity and company structure. Free zone companies and certain high-risk activity categories may take longer due to additional compliance checks. BankWallah provides a realistic timeline estimate based on your specific profile before any application is made.
Standard requirements typically include:
- Valid UAE trade licence
- Company Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Emirates ID and passport copies of all shareholders and signatories
- Company establishment card (where applicable)
- Tenancy contract or registered office address
- 3–6 months of existing bank statements (for active businesses)
Requirements vary by bank and company type. BankWallah provides the exact checklist for your chosen bank before submission.
Yes, though options are more limited. Personal accounts for non-residents are available at select UAE banks, typically requiring a UAE company or property ownership. Most corporate bank accounts require at least one in-person KYC visit. BankWallah identifies the most suitable non-resident banking options based on your nationality, business structure and visit availability.
Most UAE banks require a minimum monthly salary of AED 5,000–10,000 for personal loans, though this varies by bank and loan amount. Self-employed applicants typically need to demonstrate at least 1–2 years of UAE business activity with supporting financial records. BankWallah confirms your eligibility before any application is made — avoiding rejections that could impact your credit profile.
Learn about personal loans →Yes, though documentation requirements are more extensive than for salaried applicants. Business owners typically need to provide 2 years of audited financial accounts, 6 months of business and personal bank statements, a valid UAE trade licence and proof of business ownership. BankWallah specialises in preparing strong applications for self-employed clients and matches them to the most suitable lenders.
Yes. Several UAE banks offer mortgage products to non-resident buyers, typically up to 50% loan-to-value for residential properties. Resident buyers can typically access up to 80% LTV on their first property purchase (75% for properties above AED 5 million). BankWallah compares mortgage products across 15+ lenders and manages the full application process including property valuation and DLD registration coordination.
Learn about mortgage loans →The best credit card depends on your spending pattern, income level and lifestyle priorities. Key card categories in the UAE include:
- Cashback cards — flat rate or category-specific cashback on everyday spending
- Travel and miles cards — airline points, hotel rewards and lounge access
- Premium and elite cards — concierge services, high credit limits and luxury benefits
- Islamic credit cards — Sharia-compliant profit-rate structures
BankWallah matches your income profile and spending pattern to the card giving you maximum value and the highest approval probability.
Learn about credit cards →No. We conduct a soft pre-screening assessment before any formal bank application is submitted. This means your credit profile with the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) is not impacted until we are confident in submitting a matched application to the right bank. Multiple hard credit enquiries from rejected applications can lower your score — our pre-screening prevents this.
Visas, Residency &
Travel Services
Everything you need to know about UAE freelance visas, visit visas, the Golden Visa residency programme and tour packages — for all nationalities.
Explore TripWallah services →The UAE freelance visa — officially a freelance work permit — allows independent professionals to legally live and work in the UAE without being sponsored by a company. It is available to a wide range of professionals including writers, designers, developers, IT consultants, marketers, media professionals, educators, photographers and coaches. The permit is issued through designated free zones (TECOM, Fujairah Creative City, UAQ and others) and typically includes a 2-year UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
Learn about freelance visas →Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks from complete document submission, including the residence visa stamp and Emirates ID. Timeline varies depending on the free zone and the applicant's nationality and home country documentation. TripWallah provides a timeline specific to your chosen free zone and manages every step of the application process.
The UAE Golden Visa provides 5 or 10-year residency to qualifying applicants across several categories:
- Investors — AED 2 million or more in UAE property or public investment
- Business owners — annual revenue above AED 1 million from a UAE company
- Skilled professionals — holding a degree in a priority sector with a minimum salary
- Outstanding students — top academic achievers from UAE and international universities
- Exceptional talents — athletes, artists, scientists and cultural figures
TripWallah assesses your eligibility during a free consultation and manages the full Golden Visa application if you qualify.
Check Golden Visa eligibility →Yes. Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children (no age limit for unmarried daughters, up to 25 for sons) and, in many cases, parents. Domestic staff sponsorship is also available for Golden Visa holders. TripWallah manages all family sponsorship applications as part of the Golden Visa package — ensuring your entire family's residency is secured in one coordinated process.
Standard UAE visit visa processing takes 3–5 working days. Express processing is available in 24–48 hours for urgent travel needs, subject to an additional fee. TripWallah confirms the exact processing time based on your nationality and visa type. Most nationalities receive their e-visa digitally and do not need to visit an embassy.
Learn about visit visas →Yes. Visit visas can be extended from within the UAE in most cases — typically for an additional 30 days. The extension must be applied for before the original visa expires. Overstaying your visa in the UAE carries daily fines and can complicate future visa applications. TripWallah manages extension applications and tracks expiry dates proactively so you are never caught out.
No. You can register a UAE company without holding a UAE visa. Once your trade licence is issued, you become eligible to apply for an investor residency visa linked to that licence. Many free zone setups can be completed remotely with no UAE visit required. TripWallah handles investor visa applications as part of the overall BusinessWallah setup process.
TripWallah offers curated packages across UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah) and international destinations including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Turkey, Egypt, UK, France, Switzerland and more. Bespoke itineraries for any destination are available on request. All international packages include destination visa assistance where required.
Explore tour packages →Recruitment, Staffing
& HR Management
Common questions about hiring in the UAE, recruitment timelines, HR compliance, MOHRE requirements, payroll and outsourced HR management for businesses of all sizes.
Explore NaukriWallah services →We deliver a qualified, pre-screened shortlist within 48 hours of receiving a complete job brief for most positions. Senior or specialist roles may take 3–5 working days. Bulk hiring timelines are agreed based on headcount, urgency and the complexity of skills required. NaukriWallah maintains an active UAE and GCC talent database across all major sectors so we are never starting from zero.
Learn about recruitment →If a candidate placed by NaukriWallah leaves their role within 90 days of joining — for any reason other than employer-side termination — we provide a free replacement recruitment at no additional charge. This applies to all permanent placements and gives you complete peace of mind that every hire is a committed, long-term appointment.
Yes. NaukriWallah provides temporary, contract and project-based staffing across all sectors — including events staffing, seasonal retail teams, hospitality front-of-house, IT contractors and construction labour. Minimum assignment duration is one week. Payroll management, visa processing and MOHRE registration for contract staff are all included in the service.
Learn about staffing →Yes. Our HR management service covers payroll for your existing workforce — not just candidates placed by NaukriWallah. We handle monthly WPS-compliant salary transfers, payslip preparation, leave deductions and MOHRE compliance for your full team. This is available as a standalone monthly service with no minimum team size requirement.
Learn about HR management →The Wages Protection System (WPS) is a UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) mandate requiring all private sector employers to pay salaries electronically through approved financial institutions and report transfers to MOHRE. Non-compliance results in MOHRE penalties and can affect your ability to process new work permits. NaukriWallah ensures all client payrolls are fully WPS-compliant every month.
Yes. We manage the complete employment visa process for every candidate we place — entry permit, status change, medical examination, biometrics, Emirates ID and MOHRE contract registration. Every hire is fully legally compliant from their first day. For bulk workforce requirements (10+ staff), we have a dedicated immigration team handling submissions simultaneously.
NaukriWallah recruits across all major UAE sectors including:
- Finance and banking — accountants, analysts, relationship managers
- Technology — developers, engineers, data scientists and IT specialists
- Healthcare — DHA/HAAD-licensed doctors, nurses and allied health professionals
- Hospitality and F&B — front-of-house, chefs and hospitality management
- Construction — engineers, project managers and site labour
- Retail and e-commerce — sales, operations and customer service
- Education — teachers, trainers and academic administrators
- Media and creative — designers, content creators and marketing professionals
Under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), employers are required to have employment contracts registered with MOHRE, maintain accurate leave and attendance records, comply with WPS salary payments, provide end-of-service gratuity, and follow prescribed termination procedures. NaukriWallah's HR management service ensures all your employment practices are aligned with current UAE Labour Law — and updated automatically when regulations change.
Learn about HR compliance →Try different keywords, or ask our advisors directly — we respond within 30 minutes on WhatsApp.
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